Statutes | Klamath Juvenile Ordinance Title 2 Chapter 15 ยง 15.36 | 2020

In making any disposition under this ordinance to protect the health, welfare, and safety of a child, the Juvenile Court and Social Services Department shall evaluate each case and determine the best interests of the child. If the child is a Klamath child, every disposition and recommendation for disposition shall be made with due consideration of the following policies and principles:

 

     (1)     if removal of a Klamath child from his or her parent is necessary for childs health, welfare, and safety, the primary consideration in the placement of such a child should be to insure that the child is raised within the Klamath culture, that the child is raised within his or her family if possible, and that the child is raised as an Indian

    

     (2)     supportive child welfare and family services that respect the traditions and cultural values of the Klamath Tribes should be made readily available to Klamath children and their parents and families

 

     (3)     the right of Klamath children to know and learn their culture, traditions, and heritages by experiencing the culture of the Klamath Tribes on daily basis should be preserved

 

     (4)     reasonable efforts by the Social Services Department and other appropriate governmental agencies should be fully employed before removing a Klamath child from his or her parent and/or immediate family and before a final determination is made that the child clearly cannot be returned to his or her parent and/or immediate family provided that the safety of the child shall be paramount

 

     (5)     if reunification of a Klamath child with his or her parent is not possible, removal and long term placement without termination of parental rights shall be the preferred approach and termination of parental rights shall be the last resort provided that the preferred approach shall not be interpreted to prohibit adoption in all instances provided further that long term placement without termination of parental rights shall be based on the best interest of the child.