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Child Welfare Services Best Practices

Adoption

The State Court Administrative Office has compiled a set of model documents that may improve the quality and depth of court hearings in child protection cases. SCAO recommends that courts consider using these model orders as they represent "best practices" developed by other courts. They are not required by statute or court rule, and have not gone through the SCAO Forms Committee for official approval. Courts should note that the Department of Human Services (DHS) adoption policy is under review, so there is the possibility that the timeslines in the model order may not mirror DHS policy. >>See the January 15, 2009, Best Practice Recommendation Memo.

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  • Adoption Forum I Final Report
    An evaluation and statistical analysis of the accomplishments of the 13 Michigan counties with the largest adoption dockets after collaborative work between the courts, local offices of the Michigan Department of Human Services, and other child welfare stakeholders.


Indian Child Welfare Act

  • Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978 Court Resource Guide
    Congress passed the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) in 1978 as a response to then-prevalent culturally insensitive state government child welfare practices that negatively impacted "Indian children" (a term defined in the ICWA), their families, and their tribes. Indian children who grow up in non-Indian homes lose touch with their cultural and spiritual roots. The ICWA aims to ensure that Indian children are removed from their parents only after carefully crafted efforts have been made to maintain the Indian family.

    This guide, written by a special committee formed by the Michigan Supreme Court, will help state courts to understand the ICWA concepts and how they interact with Michigan's laws governing child welfare, guardianships, and adoptions. The goal of the committee and this guide is to make the ICWA's requirements the "best interest" considerations for Indian children, families, and tribes.

Judicial Bench Cards


Neglect and Abuse

    Scheduling Order (Word)

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