Indian Children and Family Service Training Topics and Dates Released by National Indian Child Welfare Association (NICWA)
Portland - August 8, 2007
A national American Indian/Alaska Native child advocacy organization, the National Indian Child Welfare Association (NICWA), is providing assistance for social service professionals who need to answer the question, “How do I obtain skills in Indian child welfare?”
Headquartered in Portland, Oregon, NICWA recently announced the dates, location, and topics of their annual training institutes. The trainings follow the organization’s philosophy and vision statement: Every Indian child must have access to community-based, culturally appropriate services that help the child grow up safe, healthy, and spiritually strong—free from abuse, neglect, sexual exploitation, and the damaging effects of substance abuse.
NICWA works to address these and similar issues through education and training, while upholding the primary goal of the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978—keeping Indian children with Indian families. The community development staff has developed training on a variety of frequently requested topics related to Indian child welfare, some familiar and others representing newly emerging issues.
“The training institutes offered by NICWA enable a child welfare professional, Indian or non-Indian, to access culturally competent tools and curriculum for more effective Indian child welfare practice,” said Terry Cross (Seneca Tribe), NICWA Executive Director. He mentioned, as an example, the Positive Indian Parenting (PIP) workshop which introduces a NICWA-authored parenting training that combines both traditional and modern parenting methods and provides trainees with information on how to organize and conduct PIP trainings.
Registration for the first three workshops held in Portland, Oregon, October 16–18, 2007, has begun with an “Early Bird” registration deadline of October 2. The workshops include “Positive Indian Parenting”, “Restorative Justice”, and “Basic Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA).” Detailed descriptions, as well as registration information, is available at the NICWA website at www.nicwa.org/services. To request more information, call Tia Begay at 503.222.4044, ext. 157.
NICWA is a national nonprofit and the most comprehensive source of information on American Indian child welfare and works on behalf of Indian children and families. NICWA provides public policy, research, advocacy, information, training, and community development services to a broad national audience, state child welfare agencies, and other organizations, agencies, and professionals interested in the field of Indian child welfare. Their website is www.nicwa.org or call 503/222-4044.
NICWA Training Institute Schedule and Topics:
October 16-18 (Portland, OR)
- “Positive Indian Parenting,” Instructor: Nadja Jones (Comanche/Onondaga Nation), MSW
- “Basic ICWA,” Instructor: Miriam Bearse (Wampanoag/Nipmuc/Pawtucket), MSW
- “Restorative Justice,” Instructor: Connie Bear King (Standing Rock Sioux), MSW
November 6-8 (Portland, OR)
- “Advanced ICWA,” Instructor: David Simmons, MSW
- “Meth in Child Welfare,” Instructor: Nadja Jones (Comanche/Onondaga Nation), MSW
- To Be Determined
January 29-31 (Portland, OR)
- “Positive Indian Parenting,” Instructor: Miriam Bearse (Wampanoag/Nipmuc/Pawtucket), MSW
- “Basic ICWA,” Instructor: Melissa Clyde (Navajo), MSW
- To Be Determined