Prerequisites:
- Enrollment in this course requires an application. Interested students must submit a completed application for review prior to registration. Admission is not guaranteed.
- Students approved for enrollment will need to complete a pre-course evaluation and watch a one-hour prerequisite video prior to the first day of class.
About the Course
In partnership with the California Tribal Families Coalition and the California Department of Social Services, The Resource Center for Family-Focused Practice at UC Davis Human Services is offering an opportunity for anyone working with child welfare system-involved children and families to participate in our Advanced ICWA Training Program.
Typically offered in a closed cohort model, we are now opening it up to a broader audience for open enrollment. This curriculum, developed for child welfare professionals, aims to enhance understanding of ICWA legislation, requirement and best practices in working with Tribes and Native American families. We believe that anyone working with system-involved families can benefit from this training, which is why we are extending this opportunity to all interested individuals.
Who Should Attend
A cohort of 30 individuals will be selected through an application process to participate in this training program. Like any specialized area of practice, ICWA requires advanced skills and deep knowledge for true implementation and compliance. This program aims to develop a specialized workforce to serve as liaisons and ICWA champions within their respective agencies.
Delivered online, the curriculum is designed for individuals with a basic understanding on ICWA and includes content-rich instruction, experiential learning, practice sessions and robust Tribal representation from Tribes and Tribal social service agencies throughout California.
Requirements to pass the training program
If selected to participate, you will be expected to:
- Complete the pre-course evaluation.
- Watch the one-hour prerequisite video.
- Attend and engage in all six days of training. Make-up sessions are not available.
- Complete the final exam and pass with 85% or higher.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the training program participants will:
- Respect Tribal sovereignty, and the significance of cultural, extended family and Tribal community connections for Indian children.
- Uphold the higher standards and best practices of ICWA and understand the historical impacts on Indian families and communities.
- Understand ICWA placement preferences, necessary contacts for inquiry and noticing and the differences between various home approvals and adoptions.
- Describe evidentiary standards for cases involving Indian children and distinguish between "reason to believe" and "reason to know" a child is an Indian child.
- Develop skills to conduct and document proper ICWA inquiry and notice.
- Understand how to engage in collaborative assessments and case planning with Tribal partners.
Enrollment Process
Enrollment in this course requires an application. Interested students must submit a completed application for review prior to registration. Admission is not guaranteed.
On the application, you will need to provide the following:
- Personal Statement: a brief statement (500 words or less) indicating your role in the agency, ICWA experience and why you are interested in being a training participant.
- Common Core Training Requirement Acknowledgment: Core for Social Workers is a training requirement only for CWS social workers. If you do not meet this requirement, your application will still be reviewed and considered for a spot in this training program.
- Supervisor Recommendation: A brief recommendation and acknowledgement of support from your supervisor confirming their approval for your participation in a 6-full day course on the scheduled dates.
- Tribal Representative Recommendation (optional): A brief recommendation from a Tribal partner who has experience working with you.