Resource Library - Tribal Child Welfare

Tribal Child Welfare:
The resources in this section aim to strengthen public and tribal child and family systems and services in order to support tribal sovereignty and nurture the safety, permanency, and well-being of Native American and Alaska Native children, youth, and families.

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TitleContentCategoriesTypeYear
Eight principles and practices of Indigenous child welfare: An excerpt from Pathways in a ForestThe report highlights efforts by Indigenous families, communities, and Nations to revitalize Indigenous approaches to child welfare, develop comprehensive community-based …, , , , , , , , 2019
State-Tribal Partnerships: Coaching to ICWA ComplianceProvides resources for state and tribal cofacilitators to conduct a three-day in-person training designed to build collective understanding of tribal …, ,
The Center for Regional and Tribal Welfare Studies: Systems Change Through a Relational Anishinaabe Worldview: NCWWI 1-page SummaryAs the third paper in a series of three, this article presents a study on the Anishinaabe worldview perspectives of …, , , , , , 2023
Assessing Trauma in American Indian/Alaska Native Parents as an ICWA Active Effort: NCWWI 1-page SummaryThis summary examines the correlation between American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) parents who are involved in ICWA cases, their exposure to …, , , , , , 2023
The Indian Child Welfare Act – What We Need to Know on “Active Efforts”A video sharing the history of ICWA as well as the present state of ICWA. Practice considerations and practice examples …, , , , , , , 2022
Elevating Culturally Specific Evidence-Based PracticesThis brief provides an overview of ten culturally specific programs and two culturally responsive interventions, the evidence for each, and …, , , , , , , , 2021
Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians’ journey to become a QIC-WD SiteA summary of the inception of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) Family Safety Program and the role of …, , ,
OnboardingThe Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians worked with the QIC-WD to develop an onboarding program. This video highlights the experience …, , , , , , , , ,
Students’ Experiences of an Anishinaabe-Centered Social Work Education Program: NCWWI 1-page SummaryThis article, which is the second in a series of three, examines the social work education program at the Center …, , , , , , , , 2022
ICWA Active EffortsThis brief by the Capacity Building Center for Tribes provides an explanation of Active Efforts as they relate to the …, , , , 2022
ICWA Placement PreferencesThis brief from the Capacity Building Center for Tribes explains the law and regulations for following preferred placement preferences with …, , , , 2022
ICWA Online Guide: Qualified Expert WitnessThis brief from the Capacity Building Center for Tribes explains the role of Qualified Expert Witnesses (QEW) in ICWA cases. …, , , , 2022
ICWA Inquiry and NotificationThis overview from the Capacity Building Center for Tribes explains the process for inquiry and notification in ICWA cases and …, , , , 2022
American Indian/Alaska Natives Curriculum Content Evaluation GuideIn keeping with the Council on Social Work Education’s competency-based education standards and social work competencies this curriculum content guide …, , , , , , 2022
Learning, Leading, Changing: Collaborating to Enhance ICWA Knowledge and PracticeHeld on March 21, 2022, this learning exchange focused on enhancing knowledge and understanding of ICWA and tribal sovereignty through …, , , , , , 2022
The Indian Self-Determination Act and Social Work PracticeThis infographic describes how the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (ISDEAA) applies to child welfare social work practice with …, , , , , , 2022
Indian Child Welfare TimelineThis infographic provides a timeline for Indian Child Welfare from 1820 to present, , , , , 2022
Active Efforts: Public Child Welfare ICWA Best Practices: NCWWI 1-page SummaryThis 1-pager defines and explains active efforts according to the 2016 Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) final rule. Information includes …, , , 2021
The Indian Child Welfare Act: A Primer for Child Welfare ProfessionalsThe Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) of 1978 is one of the key components to protecting the rights and culture …2021
Decolonizing Tribal Child Welfare: NICWA’s Culturally Based Review Process to Support Tribal Child Welfare RedesignThis PowerPoint presentation defines and describes why decolonizing child welfare is important, highlights  Touchstones of Hope, and explains NICWA’s approach …2021
What We Have Been GiftedThis hour long documentary focuses on the lives and culture of the people that make up the Leech Lake Band …2009
Task Force on Native Americans in Social Work Education Final Report: Status of Native Americans in Social Work Higher EducationThis report compiles the work of two projects launched by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) to move forward …2010
Tanam Awaa Our Community’s Work: Trauma-Informed Benchbook for Tribal Justice SystemsThis benchbook for tribal justice systems covers topics of historical trauma and how it can be overcome through healing models …2021
Native Land Territory AcknowledgementTerritory acknowledgement is a way that people insert an awareness of Indigenous presence and land rights in everyday life. This …, 2021
Tools for TribesTribal child welfare programs shouldn’t have to reinvent every wheel. With a cooperative and collaborative spirit in mind, the Capacity …2020
ICWA Flow ChartsThis series of flowcharts serves as a guide for making decisions related to ICWA.2020
Mindfulness in Family AssessmentMaking mindfulness practices an integral part of the culture, structure, and practice of child welfare organizations results in reduced stress, …2018
Reducing Disparities through Indigenous Social Work Education: NCWWI 1-page SummaryThis paper highlights effective and inclusive education designed to address the dramatic overrepresentation of Indigenous families in North American public …, , 2020
Judge William Thorne on the History and Healing of American Indian FamiliesIn this podcast episode Judge Thorne reflects on federal policies — such as the boarding school movement — that have …2019
Dismantling Racial Inequity #2: Community Collaboration and Grassroots EffortThis webinar is the second session of “Dismantling Racial Inequity Through Child Welfare Systems Change” webinar series and highlights the …2019
Resources for Healthy GenerationsThis document provides a list of substance abuse, child welfare, and domestic violence resources designed specifically for tribal communities. 2019
States’ Consultation and Collaboration with Tribes and Reported Compliance with the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA)This report is a summary of the information states provided in their 2015–2019 Child and Family Services Plan’s (CFSP) in …, 2019
Planning for Your Program’s Child Welfare Data SystemThis two-page resource offers concise guiding questions for programs to consider as they develop or enhance a data system. Data …2019
Navigating Rough Waters: Lessons Learned & Challenges to Avoid When Planning a Tribal Child Welfare Data SystemWhen programs journey through the river of data, knowing how to navigate rough waters and overcome challenges can make a …2019
Improving the Welfare of Native Children by Using & Managing DataCovering the basics of data, this brief resource includes information on how data can be used to address issues and …2019
Collaborative & Effective Evaluation in Tribal Communities: The Roles and Voices of Key StakeholdersThis video describes the roles of key stakeholders to create a new narrative for evaluation in Tribal communities and reflects …2019
Creating a New Narrative: Collaborative and Effective Evaluation in Tribal CommunitiesThis video describes historical experiences of intrusive research and judgmental evaluations that have caused harm to many American Indian and …2019
A Roadmap for Collaborative and Effective Evaluation in Tribal CommunitiesThe guide identifies values and priorities that can foster trust and build the knowledge and skills of Tribes, their evaluation …2019
Support Matters: Lessons from the Field on Services for Adoptive, Foster, and Kinship Care FamiliesThis guide provides State, Tribal, and Territorial child welfare managers and administrators information about effective strategies for developing data-driven adoption, …2019
Effective Leadership for Tribal Child WelfareThis guide provides some basic information on how to establish effective tribal governance and the role of tribal leadership in …2019
Leading Practice: A Resource Guide for Child Protection LeadersThis guide operationalizes five leadership capabilities – critical reflection, engaging others, managing oneself, delivering results and leading and inspiring. It …2019
ICWA Guide for Tribal Governments and LeadersThis guide provides recommended actions that tribal leadership can take towards ensuring compliance with the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA). …2017