California’s child welfare agencies are facing a growing need for more advanced knowledge and practical understanding of the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) in an effort to better serve children and families within this population. To meet this need, the California Tribal Families Coalition, in partnership with UC Davis Human Services Resource Center for Family-Focused Practice and the California Department of Social Services, developed the ICWA Specialist Program. The program is designed to produce a specialized workforce to serve in Indian specialty units, liaison positions and other specially designated tribal service positions within county child welfare agencies. Like any other specialized area of practice, ICWA requires advanced skills and deep specific knowledge to achieve true implementation. The curriculum is structured to be inclusive and applicable across all child welfare programs and within all levels of leadership.
Delivered in an online format, this training program includes content-rich instruction, experiential learning and practice sessions, culminating in an exit exam. The online instruction and practice sessions will occur weekly over a 6-week period.
Topics include:
- Introduction to Tribal Sovereignty, PL 280
- ICWA Inquiry and Engagement
- Notice, Family Finding and Placement
- Investigations and Assessments
- Assessment Teaming
- Active Efforts Case Planning
- Court
- Permanency
- ICWA and Teaming
- Child and Family Teaming
IMPORTANT: Enrollment will be approved only after submitting additional forms. Enrolling on this website is your first step to being approved for this course. In the confirmation email, you will receive additional information on next steps.