California Tribal Families Coalition

Ctfc works to increase compliance with the indian child welfare act (icwa) through state agency meetings and providing direct legal representation to tribes in state dependency cases. Ctfc participated in state agency meetings throughout the year to discuss and advocate for compliance with the federal law and its codification in california law. Ctfc participated in at least six state workgroups regarding child welfare practice and consulted on behalf of member tribes at least four times throughout the year. Ctfc also continued the legal counsel for tribes (lc4t) project this year, which aims to provide an attorney to every tribe in california in every child welfare case involving their tribal member children. Lc4t provides legal representation to tribes in two regions, covering four counties.

Ctfc works to improve the practice of all attorneys and agency social workers in california involved in child dependency cases governed by the indian child welfare act. This year, ctfc continued implementation of the developed practice model for tribal attorneys through ongoing training programs. Ctfc continued a training initiative aimed at increasing access to developmental disability services in tribal communities and training attorneys and tribal representatives of the crossover between families with developmental disabilities and involvement in the child welfare system. Through this initiative, ctfc assists regional centers and tribes to increase access to services for tribal families by providing training, hosting community building events, and creating culturally appropriate resources. Finally, ctfc continued providing training to county social workers throughout the year to increase understanding and skills in implementing the indian child welfare act in daily practice.