What types of voluntary proceedings are covered by the ICWA?
The ICWA covers three types of voluntary proceedings: foster care placements, termination of parental rights proceedings, and adoption proceedings. The voluntary proceeding provisions of the ICWA primarily apply to the giving of consent by a parent or Indian custodian in a voluntary foster care placement, termination of parental rights, or adoptive placement proceeding. Voluntary foster care placement proceedings include giving temporary custody to another person or to a tribal, state or private social services agency, guardianships, conservatorships, institutional placements and any other temporary custody arrangements. Voluntary termination of parental rights proceedings may take place independently or as part of an adoption proceeding, depending upon the law of different states. Adoptive proceedings include any action resulting in a final decree of adoption, and include proceedings such as step-parent adoptions. A child-custody proceeding may be voluntary as to one parent and involu
