Indian Child Welfare Act

ICWA's Mission Statement:

The Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) recognizes the need to establish and regulate foster homes for Acoma children.  ICWA will meet the need of the Acoma children and families by ensuring the safety of the child's placement while maintaining the child's cultural and spiritual values.
 
Foster Children
Foster children are young people from birth to 17 years old in need of a temporary home.  These children have been abused and neglected and are in need of loving and caring families to care for them while their biological parents or guardians prepare for them to return home.
 
Foster Home Care
Foster families provide short term care for children in the child welfare system.  Some of the responsibilities of a Foster parent are as follows:
* Transporting foster children to scheduled doctor and therapy appointments
* Making sure that the foster child is attending school regularly and assisting them in keeping up with their school work.
* Engaging the child in traditional Acoma activities to ensure that the child remains connected to their culture.
* Other responsibilities will come on a case by case basis.
 
Becoming a Foster Parent
1. Stop by the ICWA office located in the building connected to the Post Office and pick up an application.
2. Complete the application and return it to the ICWA Program.
3. The ICWA staff will call you to set up and complete the home study.  All household members 18 years of age and older residing in the home must be in attendance.
4. Complete all paperwork, health screens and criminal background checks.  The criminal background checks must be completed and passed by all persons in the home over the age of 18.
 
Foster Parent Requirements
Foster Parents must meet the following criteria.
* One of the parents must be an enrolled member of Pueblo of Acoma
* Persons of maturity and stability 21 years of age or older
* Must be able to show love and patience for children who have been abused or neglected
* Your own children are not currently in foster care nor have been in the past
* Everyone living in the home 18 years of age and older must be able to pass a Tribal, State and Federal background check.  (No record of child abuse, domestic violence or other violent crimes or felonies.)
* Couples must be married either traditionally or legally.  (Non-married couples will not be considered, Single parents will be considered).
* Foster Parents should have sufficient income to meet their family's basic needs.
* Foster Parents should be in good physical and mental health
* Foster homes must be able to pass a home inspection
* Families residing at Old Acoma can apply to become foster parents
* Three (3) character references must be submitted
* Must attend all eight (8) foster parent training sessions.

Hours of operation: Monday thru Friday 8:00 am - 4:30pm. 
 
Contact information:
Jennifer M. Valdo, ICWA Coordinator
Marsha Vallo, Administrative Assistant
Physical Address: 43 C Pinsbaari Drive, Acoma, NM 87034
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 354, Acoma NM 87034
Telephone: (505) 552-5162
Cell: (505) 239-8312
Fax: (505) 552-0903
Email: Jennifer- jennacoma@hotmail.com Marsha- moshacoma@hotmail.com