About the Course

Available through Calaveras Health and Human Services Agency, this course introduces the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA), exploring the culturally significant events that led to the passing of ICWA, the legal requirements it established, and its role in protecting Native children and families. Featured instructors also address the historical and generational trauma experienced by Native communities, the lasting impact on family structures and cultural practices today, and best practices for engaging in culturally responsive practices with Tribes and Native children and families.

Featured Instructors

We extend our sincere appreciation to Jennifer Pruden of the Lipan Apache Tribe of Uvalde, Texas, and Antoinette Del Rio and Briana Sanchez of the California Valley Miwok Tribe for their leadership, wisdom, and courage. Their commitment to educating professionals, preserving cultural identity, and supporting efforts to keep Native families together has been invaluable to this training and to the ongoing work of developing culturally responsive practices.

Featured Instructor

Thank you to Julie Spoljaric, Deputy County Counsel of Calaveras County for sharing her legal expertise in the application of the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) in Juvenile Dependency matters. 

Audience 

This course is designed for rural Child Welfare professionals. It is also an excellent resource for professionals and volunteers working with Native children and families in Calaveras and surrounding counties, including educators, CASAs, Social Services Staff, and community partners. *CEUs are unavailable at this time

Workbook & Completion

Once enrolled, participants can immediately begin the course and download the printable workbook.  If your organization requires a Certificate of Completion, you must click “Complete and Continue” at the bottom of each lesson. For video lessons, this option appears as you near the end of each video.

One Year Access

Enroll now to receive one year access to this free, self-paced course.  *For technical issues, contact [email protected].

Course Curriculum

6 Chapters · 37 Lessons

  1. 1

    Welcome

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Disclaimer & Public Domain Disclosure

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Course Considerations and Recommendations

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Download and Print Course Workbook

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Learning Objectives

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Opening Prayer

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      Featured Instructors & Land Acknowledgment

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      Introduction & Sensitivity Disclosure

  2. 2

    Significant Historical Events Impacting Native Children and Families

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Historical Trauma vs Generational Trauma

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      CA Mission Systems (1769-1830s) and Boarding Schools (1879-late 1900s)

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Gold Rush (1848 - 1867) in Calaveras County

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Protection through NAGPRA of 1990

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      "Names Have Power for Our People"

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      Impact on the Individual

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      Impact on the Family Unit

  3. 3

    Understanding the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA)

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Events that Led to ICWA

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Federal vs Non-Federally Recognized Tribes

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Government-to-Government Relationship

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      ICWA Inquiry and Culturally Responsive Curiosity

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Active Efforts

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      Process of Receiving Inquiries

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      Upholding ICWA: The Significance of Brackeen v. Haaland

    8. (Included in full purchase)

      ICWA from a Legal Perspective ft. Calaveras Deputy County Counsel Julie Spoljaric

  4. 4

    Cultural Awareness and Engagement

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Understanding the Family Structure

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Differences in Cultural Practices Among Tribes

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Opportunities for Practicing Cultural Awareness

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Positive Indian Parenting

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Engagement and Collaboration with Tribes

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      Culture as a Key Protective Factor for Native Children and Families

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      The Importance of Building Relationships

  5. 5

    Resilience, Hope, and Healing

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      "Walking Both Worlds" as a Native Woman

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      The Process of Healing

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Hopes for this Training

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Closing Prayer

  6. 6

    Conclusion

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Congratulations!

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Submit Course Review

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Acknowledgments

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      References

Child Welfare Training Series

This course is part of the Calaveras County Child Welfare Online Training Library, a subscription-based training series developed and maintained in partnership with Alyssa Najera Consulting / Small Town Counseling. For additional information on custom online training development for Child Welfare agencies, visit alyssanajera.com.

Enroll Now

Click the button below to get started on this free, on-demand course. 

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