Curricula
A continuum of curricula pertains to fostering collaborations with Native American Tribes to meet the letter and spirit of the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA). The curricula are designed for flexibility to serve the diverse regional and cultural needs of Native American communities throughout northern, central and southern California. Each curriculum addresses the historical significance of ICWA and the importance of building engagement skills for deepening relationships with Tribal people to improve outcomes for Indian children and their families.
The Other Side of ICWA: A Cultural Journey to Fairness & Equity (Version 2.0)
This curriculum is designed for flexibility to meet the diverse regional and cultural needs of Native American communities throughout northern, central and southern California. The most critical aspects of ICWA-related curricula concern the historical significance of ICWA and the importance of building engagement skills for deepening relationships with Tribal people and communities.
"Let the Spirit Lead..." ICWA: In the Best Interest of the Native American Child (Version 1.0)
This curriculum is designed as an immersion experience in the history and culture of Native American families as related to child welfare practice.
Advanced ICWA: Active Efforts and Expert Witness (Version 1.0)
This curriculum is an advanced training focused on the delivery of quality case management services to Native American families through active efforts and the role of the expert witness in court proceedings.
ICWA Education Developed by the California Courts Judicial Branch of California
ICWA Education includes text-based and distance learning curricula and training resources.
California Common Core Competencies and Learning Objectives for the ICWA
The topic area of the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) is one of the subjects of the California Common Core Curricula for Child Welfare Workers. This topic is standardized at the level of competencies and learning objectives. Counties have the flexibility to design their own ICWA curriculum to satisfy the statewide training requirements for the Common Core providing that all of the ICWA standardized learning objectives are incorporated into their training. Alternatively, a county may satisfy the statewide training requirement regarding the ICWA by using the curriculum “Let the Spirit Lead…” ICWA: In the Best Interest of the Indian Child.
Training and Staff Development Opportunities
Visit Tribal STAR for the latest details regarding upcoming dates for training, including “Let the Spirit Lead…” ICWA: In the Best Interest of the Native American Child" and “The Other Side of ICWA”. The Tribal STAR website also indicates other training opportunities, such as The Gathering, Summit, The Collaborative, and Training for Trainers.