NICWA NEWS Quarterly Newsletter • Autumn 2014
Inside This Issue
Historic ICWA Initiative Kastelic Wins National Award And Much More
Message from the Executive Director Dear Friends, Thirty-one years ago I became the director of a project that was called the Northwest Indian Child Welfare Institute. As many of you know, that institute became the Northwest Indian Child Welfare Association a few years later, and then—20 years ago— became NICWA. In a few weeks I will hand off the title of executive director to Dr. Sarah Kastelic, one of the most capable young Native leaders I have ever had the pleasure to work with. It has been an honor to serve, and now a great privilege to pass the leadership baton on to the next generation. I will continue on at NICWA as senior consultant and will dedicate my time to working with our communities by training, consulting, and coaching. I plan to write and continue to speak out on issues of sovereignty, decolonization, and race equity. I am about to begin my 42nd year in child welfare, and my work will be as vigorous as ever as I continue to do what I can to bring better systems and services to our children and families. Over the years I have done just about every imaginable task in a nonprofit organization. I have visited hundreds of Native communities. Best of all, I have seen many goals achieved and many dreams realized. A career just doesn’t get any better than that, especially when so many people walk with you along the path. I wish to thank all of those who have served on NICWA’s board of directors over the years and given direction and stability to this organization. I want to especially thank Iona Hansel, who for 25 years helped me be a better leader and made it possible for NICWA to become what it is today. My thanks also go out to everyone who has worked for NICWA. Every successful leader stands on the shoulders of many hard workers. Finally, I need to acknowledge and thank my children, who often went without their father while I was off serving others. Since I began this work, I have traveled over two million air miles. That will not stop for a while. But the all-night budget planning and grant proposal writing are, I hope, behind me. Sarah knows, however, that whenever and for whatever task she needs me, I’ll be there. NICWA is in the best of hands. It is a pleasure for me to see this organization with the strongest management team and structure that we have ever had. Mostly, it is a great personal pleasure that I will now continue to work for the organization I love, doing the work I love most. I look forward to continuing to see all of you at conferences and in communities. Finally, as I now transition from the role of “director,” I am glad to embrace the role of “elder” to serve in a new way. I hope that you will agree that NICWA has important work to do, and I ask sincerely that each of you continue to support our work and the dedicated leadership and staff who are here to “Protect our Children and Preserve our Culture.” Thank you.
Terry L. Cross
NICWA News is published by the National Indian Child Welfare Association 5100 SW Macadam Avenue, Suite 300, Portland, Oregon, 97239 P: (503) 222-4044 F: (503) 222-4007 www.nicwa.org Cover Photo: Andre Sturdivant Understand The Vision info@understandthevision.com www.understandthevision.com
CONTENTS
Letter from Executive Director 2. Kastelic Wins National Award 3. Cross Earns Honorary Doctorate 3. Project LAUNCH 4. Deal Donates ICWA Posters 4. Holder Announces Historic Initiative 5. Training Institues Earn Rave Reviews 5. NICWA Cares 6. Inside NICWA 7. DOJ Report Issued 8. SAMHSA Youth Conference 8. Skokomish Makes Lead Sponsorship 9. White House Welcomes Foster Youth 9. Omnibus Brings New Dollars 9. New Members 10. Heart of the Matter 11.
Kastelic Wins National Leadership Award
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alling her “a transformational leader working to further policy research that empowers American Indian and Alaska Native communities,” national leadership network Independent Sector presented NICWA Deputy Director Sarah Kastelic with the American Express NGen Leadership Award during its national conference in Seattle. The award honors one accomplished nonprofit or philanthropic leader age 40 or under who “has already demonstrated a significant impact in addressing society’s critical needs.” Kastelic’s acceptance speech evoked much emotion in the audience and reverberated throughout social media. It is excerpted here:
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“As leaders we stand on the shoulders of the ones who came before us, and we pave the path of opportunity for those that come after us. To lead is a privilege and a sacrifice. In many Native communities, certain leadership responsibilities are bestowed with an apology, recognition of the burden of the responsibility and what it will require of the beneficiary.
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Really think about how you want to show up—in leadership, and in the world. Say what’s in your heart. Your best is enough, and sometimes you have to step back to gain perspective. —Dr. Sarah Kastelic
For me, the acceptance of leadership responsibility is an opportunity to balance urgency with patience, and to couple strategy with passion in stewarding a culturally based organization that strives to strengthen the well-being of Native children and families.
To my peers, young leaders in the sector, I say: really think about how you want to show up—in leadership, and in the world. Say what’s in your heart. Your best is enough, and sometimes you have to step back to gain perspective. Discernment and being able to say no are critical to accomplishing your goal, whatever that goal is. In closing, receipt of this award is meaningful to me not because of the recognition it affords me, but because of the opportunity it gives me to acknowledge and thank those who have shaped my career and supported me on this path.”
Portland State to Honor Terry Cross with Honorary Doctorate
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ust as NICWA News was going to press, NICWA Executive Director Terry Cross received word that Portland State University had decided to honor him with an Honorary PhD of Humane Letters at the university’s commencement ceremonies in June 2015. According to PSU President Wim Wiewel honorary doctorates are awarded to individuals “whose accomplishments are recognized as ‘making a difference’ to society.” Recognizing his “commitment and advocacy for human rights, and your tireless work to promote health, choice, and justice for American Indians and Alaska Natives,” Wiewel also invited Cross to be the commencement speaker for the Professional Schools and College’s commencement ceremony. As Terry’s tenure as executive director of NICWA comes to a close, we at NICWA are heartened to see our leader receive such a remarkable and well-deserved achievement. Thank you, Terry.
National Indian Child Welfare Association | NICWA News
Autumn 2014 | Page 3
Children’s Artist-Activist Deal Mental Health Donates Powerful Artwork If Paiute artist Gregg Project Deal’s work looks familiar, it could be you’ve seen LAUNCH some of the high-profile coverage of him recently. Convenes Maybe you saw him in the
greatly publicized showdown on the mascot issue on The Daily Show. Perhaps you’ve seen his art showcased by Honor the Treaties, or maybe you’ve read about him in recent profiles in the Washington Post and Indian Country Today. Such publicity has made Deal, well, a big deal on the art activism scene today.
As a core partner of the National Resource Center for Mental Health Promotion and Youth Violence Prevention, NICWA helps tribal grantees build capacity in their early childhood mental health systems with a focus on mental health promotion and prevention strategies. The center supports two federal grant programs from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): Project LAUNCH (Linking Unmet Needs in Children’s Health) and Safe Schools/Healthy Students. Project LAUNCH grantees link early childhood systems through a public health approach and Safe Schools/Healthy Students grantees focus on preventing violence and substance abuse among youth, schools, and communities.
Recently, Deal visited NICWA headquarters in Portland, Oregon, to deliver a valuable donation to the organization: 100 signed Our Children Are Not Yours to Take posters. For Deal, the gift had special significance related to a deeply personal connection to NICWA’s mission. His family history includes intimate involvement with a long line of child-serving systems in the U.S. and includes boarding schools, adoptions, foster care, cultural dislocation, and finding one’s way back home. Raised disconnected from his Native community, Deal always felt different being brought up in a non-Indian community. Instead of fighting with the types of identity issues that often plague others, Deal decided to embrace his “otherness” and outsider status, first through skateboarding, then through immersing himself in the hip-hop and arts community.
Like grantees, the center is creating work plans, building relationships with partners, and brainstorming ways to explain the work to grantees, partners, and experts in the field. In early December, NICWA Executive Director Terry Cross and NICWA Director of Community Development for Children’s Mental Health and Youth Engagement Melissa Bob traveled to Washington, D.C., for a rare in-person meeting with center and federal partners at SAMHSA.
While Deal was comfortable and confident in his identity growing up, he still felt deeply determined to re-establish a relationship with his tribe and extended family. Despite the distance between he and his community—both geographically and figuratively—he was not dissuaded, explaining, “You can’t squelch Indigenous spirit even when others try to take it away.” Now re-connected to his tribal community, Deal has used his art as a platform for conveying powerful messaging on complex issues like identity politics, mascots, fracking, and the Indian Child Welfare Act. Our Children Are Not Yours to Take carries the tagline, “Respect the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978.” Its powerful message will be available for a suggested donation at all of NICWA’s 2015 events, while supplies last.
National Indian Child Welfare Association | NICWA News
Autumn 2014 | Page 4
Training Institutes Earn Rave Reviews
Holder Announces ICWA Initiative
Early in December, over 40 people from across the country gathered in San Diego to grow their skills. In one classroom, participants learned to facilitate culturally relevant parenting programs in NICWA’s popular Positive Indian Parenting course. They learned team work, leadership, and parenting practices. One participant said, “The training reaffirms the work that I am doing and helps connect me with other Native facilitators and trainers.” Other participants indicated they gained a sense of community and developed stronger knowledge and resources that will help them to provide culturally relevant services to families in their communities. Across the hallway, some participants were learning about the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA). In addition to learning about the history and details of ICWA itself, they learned how to apply the law in their daily practice. The course also addressed helping tribal social workers develop tools needed to advocate and enforce ICWA compliance. One longtime practitioner said, “Anyone practicing in ICWA courtrooms or with Indian child welfare needs go to this training. Even if you think you know about ICWA, you will understand the law so much better, and why certain things are done certain ways.” NICWA’s next training institutes will be held April 22–24, 2015, at the conclusion of our national conference in Portland.
On December 3, 2014, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder announced the launch of an Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) initiative. Through this initiative, the Department of Justice (DOJ) will renew its efforts to end the unnecessary and unlawful removal of Indian children from their families and promote the proper application of ICWA. In his announcement, Holder pledged, “We will join…with tribes and Indian child welfare organizations across the country to explore training for state judges and agencies; to promote tribes’ authority to make placement decisions affecting tribal children; to gather information about where the Indian Child Welfare Act is being systematically violated; and to take appropriate, targeted action to ensure that the next generation of great tribal leaders can grow up in homes that are not only safe and loving, but also suffused with the proud traditions of Indian cultures.” Reaction from Indian Country was positive. “We are very glad to hear of DOJ’s new initiative to promote compliance with ICWA. In Alaska, the state has a long history of removing Alaska Native children from their homes at rates that are severely disproportionate. Our office has expended considerable resources on these issues, and we welcome and appreciate DOJ’s new initiative,” said Erin Dougherty, Native American Rights Fund staff attorney. Both anecdotal evidence and recent studies show widespread ignorance of ICWA in state courts, child welfare agencies, and adoption systems. As a result, NICWA and our partners have advocated tirelessly for DOJ to increase its efforts to ensure ICWA compliance nationwide. NICWA will be working closely with DOJ to help unroll this initiative and reporting our progress back to our constituents, who have consistently shared their concerns that ICWA enforcement must be bolstered. Photo reprinted, unaltered, with permission from National Congress of American Indians via www.flickr.com/photos/ncai/with/15767603887/
National Indian Child Welfare Association | NICWA News
Autumn 2014 | Page 5
NICWA Cares
Where We’ve Been
Local Community Engagement Team Sponsors Tiny Tots
Organized by the Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board, the Dancing in the Square Powwow serves as an opportunity to celebrate and share Native culture on American Indian Heritage Day. NICWA had the pleasure of attending the event with hundreds of people in the heart of downtown Portland. We were thrilled to continue our sponsorship of the tiny tots program and had the good fortune to hand out gifts to the kids who participated.
Every year, NICWA provides on-site training and technical assistance to dozens of communities in the U.S. and Canada. Here is where we’ve been in 2014.
NICWA also attended the Native American Rehabilitation Association of the Northwest, Inc.’s (NARA) 10th Annual Boo Bash. Seeing the smiles on children’s faces as they chased each other around in their costumes was a great reminder of why we work so hard to support children and families. As the year comes to a close, NICWA would like to thank the people and organizations who organized events like these that bring together the Native community in the Northwest.
ICWA Myths & Realities
NICWA dispels some of the most commonly perpetuated myths about the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978.
Myth ♦♦ ICWA was overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court in Adoptive Couple v. Baby Girl.
Reality ♦♦ False. This decision did not overturn ICWA. ICWA still remains law and still applies to private adoptions and child welfare cases. However, the decision limited ICWA’s protections for unwed fathers without custody when their children are voluntarily placed for adoption and changed how ICWA’s placement preferences are applied in voluntary adoptions. National Indian Child Welfare Association | NICWA News
Autumn 2014 | Page 6
Inside NICWA
New Staff Hitting Stride It’s been a busy fall at NICWA as we’ve welcomed several new staff members. Twila Begay (Diné) joined NICWA in September 2014 as our newest community development specialist for children’s mental health. Twila came to the organization after working in federal internship programs at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Senate in Washington, D.C. She obtained her bachelor’s degree from Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado, and her master’s degree from the University of Washington in Seattle. Twila has worked as a social work intern at the Office of Indian Child Welfare, and as legislative research intern for Representative Tina Orwall of the Washington State Legislature. As community development specialist for children’s mental health, she works nationally with tribal grantees and provides technical assistance. Kim Christensen (Ojibwe) came to her new position as NICWA development director with 16 years of experience in resource development and communications. Her specialty lies in individual giving, events, and grant management in which she has an established and sustained track record of increasing and diversifying revenue sources and expanding the capacity of development departments. During her most recent tenure as development director with Instituto del Progreso Latino in Chicago, she grew the department and oversaw fundraising efforts of three 501(c)(3)s. Kim earned a master’s degree from DePaul University, and a bachelor’s degree from Pacific Lutheran University.
National Indian Child Welfare Association | NICWA News
Jalynne Geddes (Cree) is NICWA’s new financial assistant. Originally from Saskatchewan, Canada, she is a graduate from the Tourism Training Institute in Vancouver, British Columbia. After several years in the travel industry, she switched careers and studied accounting at Saskatoon Business College. After graduating, she worked for the Health & Family Services Corporation of the Saskatoon Tribal Council. She moved to Portland in 2011 to further her education and study communications at Portland State University. NICWA Senior Director of Programs Steve Hudson (Tlingit/Tsimshian/Chippewa) has spent his entire career working with children and families. He has worked for Ketchikan Indian Community, Cook Inlet Tribal Council, and the State of Alaska Office of Children’s Services as an ICWA specialist and initial assessment supervisor. Steve has been a certified chemical dependency counselor II with the State of Alaska. Melissa Yazzie (Najavo) eagerly relocated to Portland to join the NICWA project support team. Previously, she worked in the finance and mortgage lending sectors in Denver, Colorado. Melissa’s commitment to promoting justice through strategic advocacy for American Indians and Alaska Natives recalibrated her career goals to social work. She received her bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs.
Autumn 2014 | Page 7
Report Sheds Light on Needs of AI/AN Children
The Department of Justice Task Force on American Indian/Alaska Native Children Exposed to Violence recently released Ending Violence so Children Can Thrive, the product of numerous hearings and listening sessions that took place across Indian Country throughout 2013–2014. This 258-page report contains recommendations for the federal government, states, and tribal communities. Among these are recommendations that establish strong tribal systems and coordinated efforts on the part of the federal government. The task force calls for increased ICWA compliance, enhanced trauma-focused child welfare services, tribal jurisdiction in abuse cases involving non-Native perpetrators, culturally appropriate mental health and substance abuse programs; flexible funding; better support for AI/AN youth; tribal involvement in state juvenile justice proceedings; and increased support for systems serving Alaska Native children. In the wake of the report’s release, the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs held an oversight hearing on these issues. Just one day later, Alaska Senator Heidi Heitkamp brought key players together to prioritize the recommendations and discuss next steps necessary to begin to implement them. As evidenced by these initial events, this report will be an important tool for policymakers and advocates alike. The full report is available at www.justice.gov/sites/default/files/defending childhood/pages/attachments/2014/11/24/aian_executive_summary.pdf.
SAMHSA Conference Gives Native Youth Powerful Forum Approximately 150 Native youth from 75 communities were invited to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) first Native Youth Conference in National Harbor, Maryland, in November. Over the course of the three-day conference, youth leaders from across the country came together to build their leadership skills, discuss issues in their communities, and present their ideas for creating positive change around those issues. At a federal listening session on the final day of the conference, youth shared their thoughts and asked poignant questions about what the federal government does—and can do in the future—to support Native youth. While many of the issues discussed negatively impact Native communities, the conversation remained solution-focused and a variety of solutions were proposed by youth leaders. These included more scholarships for Native youth entering mental and behavioral health fields, peer-to-peer mentorship programs in Indian Country, more social and recreational activities in safe and sober spaces for youth, parenting classes for young parents, increased and improved sexual health education, increased access to contraceptives through Indian Health Services, support groups for youth struggling with mental health issues, incentives for staying in school, youth-friendly pamphlets to raise awareness about substance abuse, regularly scheduled cultural events, and education on the effects of substance abuse.
National Indian Child Welfare Association | NICWA News
Autumn 2014 | Page 8
Native Youth Attend White House Foster Care Event
In December, several Native youth were among over 100 current and former foster youth who attended the White House event Improving Outcomes for Our Nation’s Foster Youth. Elizabeth McConnell (Umatilla) and Shilo Valle (Tlingit/Chippewa) attended with support from NICWA. Elizabeth and Shilo are young Native leaders with lived experience in the foster care system who have worked with NICWA. Attendees networked with other youth from across the country and heard remarks from Vice President Joe Biden. Several youth, including Elizabeth, met with two members of the President’s cabinet—Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell and Secretary of Education Arne Duncan—to speak about their experiences with foster care and education. This event coincides with other federal initiatives to support Native youth, including Generation Indigenous (Gen I). Gen I, includes strategies to better prepare Native youth for college and careers; it will also include the first White House Tribal Youth Gathering in the summer of 2015.
Skokomish Indian Tribe Partners with NICWA Last summer, NICWA received its first host-level, $10,000 sponsorship for the 2015 national conference from the Skokomish Indian Tribe. This investment in our work comes from a long history of partnership with Northwest tribes.
Skokomish Chairman Guy Miller
The Skokomish Indian Tribe played an important role the launching of an early incarnation of NICWA, the Northwest Indian Child Welfare Association (NWICWA). A central figure to NWICWA formation was Gary Peterson, then the Skokomish tribal chairman. He became the founding board president who later, in his dedication to the organization’s work, pursued and attained a master of social work. Gary was also instrumental in NWICWA’s negotiations with Washington to implement the state’s first tribal-state ICWA agreement.
This passion is evident today as he remains a guiding voice for NICWA members and leadership. His dedication to Native children and ensuring the future of tribal communities keeps him busy as NICWA’s board treasurer and fundraising committee chair. Over the last several months, NICWA has intensified planning efforts for next April’s annual conference in Portland, Oregon. This has included outreach to local tribes to encourage that they also become hosts of the conference. Peterson explains, “It is Skokomish Indian Tribe’s and my hope that other Northwest tribes will join us in sponsoring the conference. This work is critical to our children, tribal sovereignty, and future.”
Omnibus Brings More Funding to Tribal Child Welfare Programs The FY 2015 Omnibus Appropriation Bill, passed by Congress in early December, provides funding to Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) child welfare programs at levels similar to FY 2014. Discretionary programs including Child Welfare Services, Promoting Safe and Stable Families, Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act Discretionary Grants, and Community-Based Child Abuse Prevention Act were all funded at previous FY 2014 levels. However, it’s important to keep in mind that last year’s spending incorporated past sequestration cuts so appropriations, overall, are lower than those in the FY 2013. One program that received additional funds was the Child Care and Developmental Block Grant, which received a $75 million increase. Tribes receive a 2% set-aside from this program. Indian Health Services will receive a $207.9 million increase from FY 2014. The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and Bureau of Indian Education will receive an additional $70.2 million in 2015. Of that, an additional $5.1 million has been specifically appropriated for BIA Social Services and continued on p. 11
National Indian Child Welfare Association | NICWA News
Autumn 2014 | Page 9
New and Renewing Members August 23–December 15, 2014
Coral Membership Tier Tribe
Hopi Tribe Skokomish Tribal Nation Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation Ysleta del Sur Pueblo
Individual
Organization
Dan Aune Janet Draper Sharon Fleming Fay Givens Jill May Nicole Mitchell Melissa Parsons David Simmons
State of Alaska Office of Children’s Services US. Department of Health and Human Services
Turquoise Membership Tier Tribe
Cedarville Rancheria Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation Delaware Tribe of Indians Little River Band of Ottawa Indians Makah Nation Nisqually Indian Tribe Ponca Tribe of Nebraska Pueblo of Acoma San Carlos Apache Tribe Susanville Indian Rancheria
Organization
Individual
Alaska Legal Services Corporation Crazy Horse Memorial Foundation Denver Indian Family Resource Center, Inc. First Nations Community HealthSource New York Council on Adoptable Children Oklahoma Indian Child Welfare Association University of Oklahoma National Resource Center for Youth Services
Sybil Carof Dana Geary Lark GoodTracks Frank Jozwiak Rovianne Leigh Ann McKay Bryson Nancy Miller Tamera Shanker Petra Solimon Tamara Walters
Associate Membership Tier Manuelita Ortiz
Abalone Membership Tier Joy Anderson Christine Atine Tileah Begay John Berry Helen Buster Kimberly Crampton Deborah Crouse Cobb Hollis Crowchild Sheridan DesGranges Marie Dodginghorse Amber Ebarb Stacey Ecoffey Virginia Frank Elizabeth Guest
Dana Hanna Ava Hansen Sheronnabah Harvey Laurel Hoskins Maggi Hutchason Frank Littlelight Cindy Martin-Wolfe Spring Medacco Jodi Meguinis Cynthia Mills Linda Morceau Lucinda Myers Stephen Pevar Debra Ray
National Indian Child Welfare Association | NICWA News
Lynn Reer Michelle Requilman-Bowden Hope Romero Erika Salinas Brenda Schulze Lauren Shapiro Leonard Smith Lillian Sparks Margie Spurlock Lisa Wall-Wilbert Shawn Williams
Autumn 2014 | Page 10
Heart of the Matter
Meet NICWA Member Heather Capistrant When I first started out as a child protection attorney, I have to admit that I knew next to nothing about ICWA. As the years went on, I was more and more drawn to ICWA and the laws and policies behind its implementation. Recently, I have found that an increasing majority of my caseload involves ICWA cases and working to provide reunification services to our Native American families. I have felt drawn to my work on ICWA cases. There are usually many professionals involved such as parents’ attorneys, tribal attorneys, and tribal social workers. I enjoy working together with these parties collaboratively to figure out a solution to keep families together. Our child protection unit now has a strong commitment to ICWA and the policies behind it. I have greatly enjoyed working with our child protection workers to provide services to our Native families. We strive to maintain collaborative relationships with our Minnesota tribes in protecting our Native children. In my practice as an attorney representing the agency who provides the services to Native families, I want to make sure it is providing all possible active efforts to the family in order to keep the family intact. I wanted to become a part of NICWA because I wanted to both solidify my commitment to ICWA and expand my knowledge on cases, issues, and policies regarding ICWA. I also wanted a networking experience with other legal practitioners and professionals who work with Native families. I look forward to being a part of this wonderful organization and expanding my knowledge even further.
Omnibus, continued from page 9
Upcoming Events Transracial Adoptions of Native Children Webinar January 28, 2015 *This event is for NICWA members-only as a benefit of their membership.
Community Celebration of Terry Cross Portland, Oregon
January 30, 2015 *This event is invitation-only.
First Nations Child & Family Caring Society of Canada Webinar March 19, 2015 *This event is for NICWA members-only as a benefit of their membership.
33rd Annual Protecting Our Children Conference Portland, Oregon
April 19–22, 2015
ICWA Basics Training Institute Portland, Oregon
April 22–24, 2015
Positive Indian Parenting Training Institute Portland, Oregon
April 22–24, 2015
Visit www.nicwa.org/news or email lauren@nicwa.org for more information on any of these events or to request a training for your community.
$4.7 million has been specifically appropriated for Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) funding. NICWA Government Affairs Director David Simmons stated, “It has been nearly two decades since we have seen a much-needed budgetary increase in ICWA funds. These funds are the bedrock of tribal family-serving programs. We couldn’t be more pleased to see Congress make Native children and families a priority.” Other programs that affect tribal child welfare including general assistance/child assistance remain frozen at FY 2014 levels. Grant programs under the Indian Child Protection and Family Violence Prevention Act remain unfunded. Title IV-E, a key funding source for foster care, adoption, and guardianship programs, is an entitlement and not at the mercy of the annual appropriations process. National Indian Child Welfare Association | NICWA News
Autumn 2014 | Page 11
NICWA News National Indian Child Welfare Association 5100 SW Macadam Avenue, Suite 300, Portland, Oregon, 97239 PHONE: (503) 222-4044 FAX: (503) 222-4007 WEB: www.nicwa.org
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