OICA CEO Joe Dorman Statement on ICWA Supreme Court Ruling

June 15, 2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Joe Dorman, CEO – Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy
Telephone: (405) 833-1117
Email: jdorman@oica.org

OKLAHOMA CITY – Today, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a 7-2 ruling on the Indian Child Welfare Act, keeping the federal law in place. Joe Dorman, the chief executive officer of the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy, issued this statement on the Court’s ruling:

“Today’s ruling by the United States Supreme Court validates what data shows for preserving stability for children undergoing adoption or within foster care. Keeping children who are enduring the most traumatic experience of their young lives in as stable a situation as possible is critical to help with their healing.

“It has been shown that placing children with family members and preserving positive cultural experiences helps lessen their anxiety. The fact that conservatives and liberals alike on the Supreme Court recognized the importance of preserving cultural identity helps place the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) on solid ground.”

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