ICWA Qualified Expert Witness Resources

All Indian children deserve a strong, protective circle of caring adults to ensure they are loved, safe, and connected to their community, tribe and culture. The Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) of 1978 is a federal law that recognizes how important those connections are while also ensuring the continued existence of tribal nations as unique, distinct, and sovereign. Often referred to as the “gold standard” in child welfare policy and practice, ICWA requires state child welfare agencies and courts to obtain the testimony of a qualified expert witness (QEW) at the removal hearing and in the event of a termination of parental rights. View our newest resource list to learn more about the Indian Child Welfare Act and the critical role QEWs play in protecting Indian children and tribal nations. This document includes information and resources on:

• ICWA and the 2016 Federal Regulations
• Serving as a Qualified Expert Witness and required characteristics
• Providing QEW testimony
• QEW training
• Resources for courts and attorneys

QEW RESOURCE LIST

Youth Permanency Survey

The University of Washington is conducting this survey and have received approval from their IRB. The responses to the survey will be confidential and the data will only be reported in an aggregate manner.

Young adults are eligible to take the survey if they:  

1. Were in foster care on or after their 12th birthday 
2. Are currently between the age of 18 and 29 
3. Agree to participate in this survey

The survey is done online and is estimated to take 15-30 minutes. Participants who complete the survey will be entered into a drawing for one of 31 $20 electronic gift cards from Amazon. The drawing will take place during the month of March 2021. To be eligible for the drawing, we need youth to complete the survey prior to March 1, 2021.

We are hoping to have 200 participants complete this survey and would like a mixture of young adults who exited through permanency (reunification, adoption, or guardianship) or aged out of the foster care system.   

I truly appreciate your willingness to send out this survey to your network of young adults. To make it easier, feel free to use any of the language in this email, and the link below.

Take the Survey: https://redcap.iths.org/surveys/?s=DA9P88LXP8

Funding Opportunities

• The National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges, NCJFCJ, with funding from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP), has been partnering with courts across the country since 1992 to improve outcomes for abused and neglected children and their families. The NCJFCJ will be selecting new court sites to participate in this two-year project. There is no direct funding available to participating sites. However, the selected sites will receive training, technical assistance, and support from NCJFCJ and national experts in the field. The selected sites will join 27 other state and tribal jurisdictions that are currently part of the project. Application Deadline: Feb. 15, 2021. Apply Here.

• Springboard Prize for Child Welfare Grant Opportunity: The Springboard Prize for Child Welfare invests in new, exciting ideas focused on preventing child neglect and abuse, lifting up children and families within the child welfare system, and assuring their well-being beyond. Four awards of $200,000 each will be given to launch new, or expand existing, early-stage innovative projects with the potential to improve the lives of children and families. We especially hope to elevate the efforts of individuals with deep connections to the child welfare system, including those from low-income, Black, Brown, and Indigenous communities. Application Deadline: March 12, 2021. Apply Here.

• Office of Head Start: Title II of the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act authorizes the Secretary to reserve one percent of the amount appropriated for the fiscal year to make allotments to Indian tribes and tribal organizations and migrant programs for community and faith-based child abuse prevention activities. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity announcement (FOA) is to award grants to support community-based efforts in tribal and migrant communities that prevent child maltreatment and to strengthen and support families. Funded projects will develop new or enhance existing initiatives, programs, and activities to reduce the likelihood of child abuse and neglect and to enhance the well-being of migrant and/or Native American children and their families, including those in rural areas. Application Deadline: April 20, 2021. Apply Here.

Upcoming Meetings, Events, and Training Opportunities

• Feb. 3, 9 a.m.: Impact of Unresolved Trauma on American Indian Health Equity. Harvard University Native American Program. Join via Zoom.
• Feb. 24, 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.: Cultural Considerations When Working Within
  Indian Country – Part 1. When working on missing and exploited children’s cases within Indian Country, it is important to value the differences, understand and adapt to the culture, and recognize that various dynamics exist. Through this webinar, you will obtain a better understanding of the tribal community and its system of shared values, beliefs, and rituals that are learned and passed on through generations. Furthermore, you will gather best practices and examples to reduce barriers and increase trust when working on missing and exploited children’s cases on tribal lands. Learn More.
  

UW Alliance for Child Welfare Excellence February Workforce Webinars

Tribal Workers, please use this Registration Form to register for the Alliance courses.

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