Systems & Organizations
Leaders of tribal child welfare programs need tools and resources to support work with their partners and community to plan, build, and sustain their vision for the future. The resources on this page give insight into the change process, from early preparations through continuous quality improvement and sustainability efforts, helping a tribe develop solutions to complex problems.
Getting Started
LEARN ABOUT THE STAGES OF CHANGE AND HOW TO IDENTIFY NEEDS
PRACTICE MAPPING
Use this tool to learn how to apply a business process mapping technique to tribal child welfare practice. Why use process mapping? Mapping your child welfare practice can help your program identify gaps in service and inform needed policy and procedure improvements.
STAGES OF CHANGE HANDOUT
This handout complements the Stages of Change interactive graphic above, providing an easily printable version of the information.
Incorporating Cultural Values and Traditions into Policy, Procedure, and Practice Webinar
In this webinar, the Center for Native Child and Family Resilience staff describe the Txin Kaangux̂ (TK) Initiative on St. Paul Island and the program’s incorporation of cultural values and traditions into policies, procedures, and practices, as well as its innovative approaches, such as mind mapping and creating engaging resources from standard policies. Facilitators provide an overview of the TK Initiative and its role in promoting health, wellness, and cultural resilience throughout the Aleut Community on St. Paul Island.
View and download the webinar slides.
Creating a Foundation
BEGINNING YOUR JOURNEY IN SYSTEMS CHANGE
Tribal Child Welfare Program Policies and Procedures:
An Overview of the Why and the How of
Development and Revision
Documented policies and procedures are a critical tool for tribal child welfare programs. While they may take time to develop initially, the benefits are far-reaching and can be no less than life-saving for children in care. This resource will help your program develop a plan for taking on this important piece of work, streamlining the process, and building in sustainability from the start.
CONDUCTING A COMMUNITY ASSESSMENT
Once the change team is built, the next step to undertaking systems change is to conduct a community assessment. The team can make informed decisions based on existing data, literature, and feedback gathered from focus groups, interviews, and surveys. This module simplifies this often daunting task and offers guidance to agencies on how to approach collecting this information.
BUILDING A CHANGE TEAM
The team responsible for exploring an identified need, and the relationships they form, create the foundation of an organized effort for change. This interactive tool offers suggestions on how to form an effective change team and communicate with key partners. Along with a customizable relationship mapping tool and facilitation tips, this resource will ensure the change journey begins on a positive path.
DISASTER PLANNING RESOURCES
When disasters, emergencies, or crises arise, having a plan in place can make all the difference to the children and families an agency serves. The resources in this list can help tribal child welfare organizations and tribal governments gather information and prepare for the future.
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.
