Father 1/4 tribal (Daughter, 1/8) – doesn’t know why ICWA involved
October 1, 2006
I am 23 years old …. My mother is 1/2 Cherokee and I am 1/4 and my daughter is 1/8, this child is currently foster care. I was not married to her mother and we did not reside together. I am attempting to get custody of my daughter (paternity was proven) and the recommendations of the … DHS is citing – “The child comes under the Indian Child Welfaire Act, and the child’s tribe recommends permanent placement in long-term foster care.” As I am only 25% I thought that I did not qualify to belong to a tribe, as well as my daughter who is 12.5%. I have followed all recommendations of the court and DHS (even when DHS has made it difficult by not giving me information in a timely manner) to get custody of my daugter. Her mother lost custody as a result of failure to thrive. The child is 18 months old and only weighs 15 lbs.
- I have a pernament job.
- I rent a room in the home of my girlfriend’s parents (they have extra room for the child.)
- I have setup a plan for child care while I am at work. My girlfriend attends classes at college in the evenings, her father is home before she leaves for classes. Her mother is a nurse with local CMH.
- My girlfriend and I participate in child parenting classes together.
- I have established a livable budget and reduced my debt.
- I have arranged for parenting classes in my local area (50 miles from my daughter);
- I have scheduled and will pay for my own psychiatric evaluation by a local PhD;
- I visit my daughter every week at assigned visitation time (50 miles away).
- I will attend their parenting classes once I have participated in several classes available to me in my own community.
I am trying to get support and understanding of the Indian Child Welfare Act and how it is recommended that I not receive custody of my daughter or show I amy contact in Michigan to get assistance.