Technical Assistance

The National Indian Child Welfare Association (NICWA) provides technical assistance (TA) services based on its Relational Worldview model. This model is designed to enhance the level and quality of child welfare and related services delivered to American Indian children and families by their tribes or urban Indian organizations.

NICWA provides TA services in the following areas:

• American Indian child welfare service systems
• American Indian children's mental health programs

Our Practices

NICWA assigns a community development specialist to each project receiving its TA services. Specialists work with communities to achieve the following goals:

1. Focus on organizational balance
2. Alignment of services with community needs and resources
3. Expanded vision of strengths/needs
4. Allies outside of tribal communities
5. Cross-system relationships
6. Parent/professional partnerships

Community development specialists are responsible for:

1. Facilitating strategic TA plans
2. Contributing resources and expertise
3. Providing and arranging on-site TA
4. Respecting each community as unique
5. Building ongoing relationships
6. Being trustworthy
7. Communicating vision
8. Getting on "the balcony"

What We Do

• ICWA Compliance
• Projects & Initiatives
• Tribal Child Welfare Worker Certification
• Technical Assistance
  • American Indian Child Welfare Service Systems
  • American Indian Children's Mental Health Programs
  • National Childrens Mental Health Awareness Day
  • Youth Suicide Prevention Toolkit
  • Circles of Care Communities
  • Systems of Care Communities
  • Principles & Philosophy
  • Relational Worldview Model
• Training
• Government Affairs & Advocacy
• Research
• Resources
• Library