Tribal Child Welfare Leadership Academy

The Tribal Child Welfare Leadership Academy was created to meet the unique needs of tribal leaders by using an Indigenous competency-based framework that was developed collaboratively by tribal child welfare leaders, trainers and professional coaches across the country. The training is divided into 4 modules reflecting a seasonal approach. Module 1 begins in the spring, and Module 4 ends in the winter.  This training is based on foundational framework of the National Child Welfare Workforce Institute Leadership Academy but designed specifically to reflect indigenous values and beliefs about leadership. We acknowledge the many tribal leaders, formal, informal, and hereditary, who provided input and guidance to the process and outcome.

This training supports tribal child welfare program leaders at all levels — directors, managers, supervisors, and emerging leaders—to support their tribal child welfare program through:

• • Strengthening Indigenous leadership skills
  • Supporting cultural practices
  • Grounding work in community knowledge, values, and practices
  • Preparing leaders to grow programs, build program capacity, support well-being of workforce and families, and navigate political contexts

The topics covered include:

• • Natural Interconnectedness
  • Indigenous Adaptive Leadership
  • Trauma-Responsive Systems
  • Maintaining Harmony and Balance
  • Self-Care and Resilience

The examples provided throughout the curriculum reflect specific tribal values for some tribes, but we respect that all tribes are not the same and each unique community has values, customs, and practices of their own. The full curriculum is free to the public and can be adapted by your tribal child welfare organization to meet the needs of your staff and your own cultural values. All the materials you will need to facilitate this training are included in the documents on this webpage, including trainer’s guides, PowerPoints, and a participant workbook.

For questions related to the Tribal Child Welfare Leadership Academy curriculum, contact Nanette Bishop at Nanette.Bishop@acf.hhs.gov.