On this page, find resources such as training curricula and materials for child welfare caseworkers on working with American Indian children, youth, and families, including information on the Indian Child Welfare Act and effective strategies for working with Tribes. Resources include Tribal, State, and local examples.
Impact of Unresolved Trauma on American Indian Health Equity [Video]
Warne (2019)
University of Washington School of Public Health
Offers a video on historical and cultural factors that have impacted American Indian and Alaska Native families and provides tips on working toward health equity with this population.
National Indian Health Board Releases Online Training to Support Non-Native Entities to Respectfully Engage With Tribal Nations
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Administration for Native Americans (2020)
Offers a free, interactive e-course intended to build the capacity of non-Native stakeholders to work collaboratively and effectively with American Indian and Alaska Native families. The training provides background information on Indigenous people, how the colonial experience has impacted the health and well-being of Tribal populations, and best practices for engaging with Tribal governments.
SOAR to Health and Wellness Training: SOAR for Native Communities
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Office on Trafficking in Persons (2019)
Equips those serving Indigenous populations to better understand the issues surrounding human trafficking and its impact in American Indian, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities.
Tools From Tribes
Capacity Building Center for Tribes, Tribal Information Exchange
Offers information and resources shared by Tribal child welfare professionals to help them connect with each other and strengthen the Tribal child welfare community.
Trauma-Responsive Care: A Framework for Resilience [Webinar]
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families (2020)
Presents a webinar on the impact of adverse childhood experiences on American Indian and Alaska Native children and families and reviews culturally appropriate approaches to supporting resilience within this population.
Transforming Social Work & Fostering Relationships Through Anishinaabe-Centered Child Welfare Knowledge and Practice [Webinar]
University of Minnesota, College of Education and Human Development (2021)
Addresses the overrepresentation of Indigenous families in the child welfare system and highlights an Anishinaabe-centered child welfare training that builds Tribal capacity and educates social workers on engaging American Indian and Alaska Native children and families.
Tribal Star Training
Academy for Professional Excellence
Provides research-based information on youth development, collaboration with Tribes, effective ways of working with rural populations, the Indian Child Welfare Act, and more.
Tribes
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Children’s Bureau
Provides information for child welfare professionals on Federal funding through title IV-B and title IV-E programs that are available to Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations. Learn more about State and Tribal Funding.
Working With Tribal Nations: A National Indian Health Board Training
National Indian Health Board (2020)
Provides an online training course to build the capacity of non-Native stakeholders to work collaboratively and effectively with members of the American Indian and Alaska Native communities.
Tribal, State and local examples
ICWA: Working With Native American Families and Tribes
California Evidence-Based Clearinghouse for Child Welfare Professionals (2017)
Offers a training curriculum related to understanding the Indian Child Welfare Act and building working relationships with Native families in California.
ICWA: Working With Native American Families and Tribes: Trainer Guide (PDF - 4,038 KB)
California Social Work Education Center (2017)
Provides a trainer guide for a curriculum on the historical significance of the Indian Child Welfare Act and the importance of engaging and building relationships with Tribal people and communities when working to create successful outcomes for Tribal youth.
Indian Child Welfare Act
Court-Appointed Special Advocates of Arizona
Guides users through a course on how the Indian Child Welfare Act affects the child welfare court processes. The course includes information on the rights of Tribal children and families as well as resources about Arizona Tribes.
Native American Training Institute
Provides culturally relevant training to foster parents, adoptive parents, law enforcement, and other professionals who work on child welfare issues with Tribal communities in North Dakota.
Training
Washington State Department of Children, Youth and Families
Shares information on Tribal trainings in Washington State for professionals who work within the field of child welfare. The trainings cover topics such as supporting resilience and Tribal identity, the Indian Child Welfare Act, Tribal courts, foster care, and kinship supports.
Training Materials
National Indian Justice Center
Offers trainings on topics such as court advocacy, Indian Child Welfare Act cases, Tribal adoptions, permanency planning, and more.