Inter-Governmental Agreement Signed by Utah and the Navajo Nation

On Monday, Feb. 4, Governor Gary R. Herbert joined Navajo Nation leaders, the Utah Department of Human Services’ (DHS) Division of Child and Family Services (DCFS) and the Office of the Attorney General in signing an Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) between the State of Utah and the Utah Navajo Nation. The agreement reinforces Utah’s commitment to the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) and brings newly established structure to the relationship between DCFS and the Utah Navajo Nation.

The purpose of ICWA is to preserve and strengthen Indian families and Indian culture. ICWA establishes “minimum federal standards for the removal of Indian children from their families and placement in foster or adoptive homes which will reflect the unique values of Indian culture.” The IGA builds on these standards and elevates child welfare practices in Utah to specifically meet the needs of Navajo children and the tribes in the state. It clarifies responsibilities and contact protocols, timelines and standards for working with Navajo children and families, and agreed upon placement preferences for Navajo children in foster care or adoption cases.

https://governor.utah.gov/2019/02/05/inter-governmental-agreement-signed-by-utah-and-the-navajo-nation/