about us

The Center for Tribes is a federally funded resource that supports American Indian and Alaska Native child welfare programs that receive Title IV-B or IV-E funding to build staff capacity, strengthen organizational systems, enhance programs, and improve tribal-state working relationships.

The Center offers an array of services, such as: products and tools, peer networking activities, and individualized expert consultation. Services are available at no cost to assist Tribal organizations with improving child welfare practice and performance.

Download our tri-fold brochure for a printable version of the content on this page.

Common Vision,
Unique content

The Capacity Building Center for Tribes is a network of six organizations that collectively have many years of experience working with Tribes, States, and court systems in delivering and evaluating capacity-building services in Indian Country.

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Our Core Principles 

The Center for Tribes is committed to honoring and respecting the inherent sovereign authority and self-determination of American Indian/Alaska Native Tribal Nations to govern, control, design, and improve their governmental institutions to support their children, families, and communities.

The Center for Tribes core principles include being:

  • Culturally-responsive
  • Collaborative
  • Respectful
  • Honoring Tribal sovereignty
  • Outcome-focused

Our Service Areas 

Universal Services are designed to spread useful information and practical resources to Tribal child welfare program professionals across the country. Products developed by the Center – web content, electronic publications, audio and video presentations, and others – support busy child welfare leaders who need useful, timely information about promising practices.

Targeted Services are designed to engage specific groups of child welfare leaders. These services build knowledge and skills and foster communication and supportive relationships among child welfare agencies. Virtual communities of practice, online learning courses, training academies, and facilitated peer networking activities promote learning and connections between peers who face similar issues and challenges.

Tailored Services provide individual technical assistance and support with Tribal child welfare programs to enhance their capacity through organizational change and system improvement. Training, coaching, consultation, and other services help agencies to assess their needs, develop or enhance their capacities to improve performance and services, and achieve positive outcomes for children and families.

Focused Assistance is available for Tribal Title IV-E programs, including direct Title IV-E or those funded through Tribal-State agreements.

About the Child Welfare Capacity Building Collaborative

The Child Welfare Capacity Building Collaborative is a partnership among three centers – the Center for Tribes, Center for States, and Center for Courts. The Centers that form the collaborative work together to ensure the delivery of coordinated, inclusive, and well-informed capacity building services in order to achieve improved outcomes for children, youth, and families.

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The Children's Bureau, within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, funds the Capacity Building Center for Tribes. The contents of this website and the resources herein do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Children's Bureau. 

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1-800-871-8702