“This article begins with an exploration of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and their impacts on the general population. We then examine research on ACEs specific to the AI/AN population. We end by describing strategies to strengthen protective factors that...
Conducting a home study with families who wish to serve as resource homes for tribal children is an important part of the child welfare process and a skill that is developed over time with practice. Kendra Lowden with Ghost Thunder Consulting shares the information...
Youth have a fundamental right to their families. A caseworker can help facilitate a safe and supportive environment during visitation by recognizing interactions and behaviors that are trauma reactions to the removal experience and by responding with trauma-informed...
Documentation is the case road map for each youth and family that is served by a tribal child welfare program and it begins the moment safety concerns are brought to the attention of the agency. When documentation is trauma-informed and responsive to the individual...
Being mindful and aware of trauma experiences will help tribal child welfare programs decrease the negative effects youth may experience throughout the various transitions associated with removal, placement(s), and reunification. No two youth are exactly the same but...
A tool for improving outcomes for American Indian children and families. From the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges, this publication features ICWA best practice implementation experiences and evaluation of the St. Louis County ICWA court. Resource...
“Lakota Worldview: The Interrupted Journey” describes the four stages of life recognized in the Lakota community and what happens when imbalance and disruptions happen in each stage from childhood through returning to the spirit world. Resource Link: View...
In Indian Country, customary adoption is a traditional alternative to standard adoption practice and a more appropriate permanency placement for Native Children. Customary adoption allows children to be adopted without requiring termination of parental rights. This...
Title IV-B ties well with tribal family engagement practices. Designed around prevention and early intervention, the two subparts of Title IV-B aim to: keep families together by supporting preventive intervention, alternative placements, and reunification efforts;...
