by Wendy Church, Court Director, Tulalip Tribal Court
It has always been the Tulalip Tribes position that we should protect and cultivate the best future for our children in the Tulalip Tribal community. There is now a new Juvenile and Family Code aimed towards that goal. It fosters a family-centered approach which places family as the primary source for understanding the needs and challenges of the child.
The Court would like all Guardians to be informed that pursuant to the new Code there are some changes that they need to be made aware:
beda?chelh Guardianship Team: beda?chelh has created a guardianship division which will create rules and procedures for reviewing guardianship cases no less than semi-annually for a period of three years. If any concerns are noted by the guardianship review team, the review period may be extended past three years.
Annual Guardianship Reviews: No further Annual Guardianship Reviews will be required once a guardianship is granted unless there is a change of circumstances or a request for Court review is made by the beda?chelh guardianship team. The Court and beda?chelh retain jurisdiction until the child turns 18, marries, is emancipated or adopted.
Letters of Guardianship: Except new Letters of Guardianship which will be issued by the Court beginning on June 1, 2015. These letters will no longer expire annually but will continue until the child reaches the age of 18, marries, is emancipated or adopted. It is the goal of the Court to have all new Letters issued by December 31, 2015. If you have not received new Letters and they have expired you may call the Court and ask that a Clerk issue new Letters. The Court has many new Letters to issue; please do not call for new Letters if your current Letters are still in place. We will be working diligently to get all Guardians their new Letters in a timely manner.
Moving: Guardians should notify beda?chelh, the Court and Tribal enrollment forty-five days prior to moving beyond 60 miles from the Reservation, of the new address, the reason for the move and the plan the guardian has in place for maintaining the child with his or her family and culture. If the family fails to notify beda?chelh, a hearing may be set to determine whether the child should be allowed to move with the guardian or be returned to beda?chelh. A “Notice of Moving” form can be requested from the Court should it be necessary to notify beda?chelh and the Court.
Contact information: The Court is requiring all Guardians to submit a verification of address form so that the Court will have your most up-to date information. It has always been a Guardians duty to keep the Court informed of their current contact information. Please find the ‘Address Verification” form attached. Even if you think the Court has your current information, please return the form as soon as possible so it can be placed in your file.
The Tulalip Tribes appreciates your commitment to our children by accepting the responsibilities of being a guardian. If you have specific questions regarding your duties or rights as a guardian, you should consult an attorney. If you have questions regarding the new Guardianship procedures please call the Court at (360) 716-4773 or see the new Juvenile and Family Code online at http://www.codepublishing.com/wa/Tulalip/.
Thank you again for keeping the promise we all made to the children that they would have a safe, stable, and supportive home.