Article V. Child Placement
§ 2-501 Out-of-home placement preferences.
A. Whenever possible and appropriate, the Department of Indian Child Welfare shall seek to assure that a child is placed in an approved home with members of Wilton Rancheria.
B. Out-of-home placement shall be given preference in the following order:
1. Relatives of the child, provided these relatives are members of the Tribe, with priority to grandparents.
2. An approved Wilton Rancheria family.
3. An approved Native American family that is related to one (1) of the child’s parents.
4. A suitable Native American family.
5. Any other family that can provide a suitable home for a Wilton child.
C. The Department of Indian Child Welfare shall obtain approval from the Chairperson prior to deviating from the out-of-home placement preferences in its placements or recommendations on the same.
D. In considering an out-of-home placement, the Department of Indian Child Welfare shall schedule a meeting of a child’s family for the purpose of determining the proper placement of the child and to allow the family to discuss what it can offer the Department of Indian Child Welfare in terms of placement of the child.
E. Any out-of-home placement shall encourage a child to maintain cultural ties with the Tribe and shall be informed of the traditions and customs of the Tribe.
F. In making or consulting in out-of-home placements, the Department of Indian Child Welfare in all cases shall consider the child’s best interests. (Res. 2013-9)