utilizes internet-based technologies to facilitate communication between entities working on ICWA cases, and to increase compliance with ICWA mandates. Six tribes in South Dakota (Crow Creek Sioux Tribe, Sisseton-Wahpeton Sioux Tribe, Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, Oglala Sioux Tribe, Yankton Sioux Tribe) agreed to partner with us and assist with the development of the case management/compliance monitoring system. Quicwa staff traveled to 2 or 3 of the reservations on a monthly basis from Oct. ‘05 to Sept. ‘07. We also met with the tribal partners at quarterly meetings held in South Dakota and Minnesota. Through these visits, we developed a deep respect for the work of the ICWA Directors and their staff. We witnessed first hand the challenges of working with the judicial systems and DSS.  Like most ICWA Tribal programs, they are under staffed, under funded and have cases in many different states. They cannot afford to travel to all of the venues involving their tribal members. QUICWA creates an information sharing network between tribal and county social services. With QUICWA case management system, urban workers can post case updates or case notes that can be viewed by the tribal worker back on the reservation. Similarly, service providers can record their updates on how the goals of the case plan are being worked on by the parents.
QUICWA facilitates quick, simultaneous communication and creates an information sharing network . Access to county information enhances tribal input resulting in increased decision-making authority for the tribe.

The ICWA Compliance Monitoring Tool allows you to:
(1.) Track placement histories of children;
(2.) Monitor and track compliance with ICWA through compliance checklists;
(3.) Track notice requirements and provision of qualified expert testimony;
(4.) Record/view tribal recommendations;
(5.) Record/view case plan progress updates;
(6.) track petition filings and court hearings;  
(7.) track court orders including visitation orders;
(8.) Take hearing notes and
(9.) Have your entire file at you fingertips. All files are password protected and web access is encrypted to maintain security.

Today, with half of the Indian people now living in urban areas far from their reservation, ICWA compliance is more problematic than ever. Under ICWA Law, tribes have the responsibility for the placement of children who are their members, no matter where they may live. But as we know, distance and the associated communication barriers, as well as lack of understanding of, and commitment to the ICWA Law on the part of urban areas mean that ICWA is not being complied with, and the result is, we are still losing our children.

Finally, The QUICWA Compliance Monitoring Tool provides ICWA Providers communication tools to help the relevant Courts and County staff so that decisions are made based upon accurate and complete information from a Native/ tribal perspective

For a demonstration of the Quicwa system or more information, contact: Paul Minehart or George McCauley.

Quicwa Newsletter (issue 1)
Quicwa Newsletter (issue 2)
Quicwa Newsletter (issue 3)