Services
The National Tribal Child Welfare Center for Innovation and Advancement (the Center) offers services at no cost to qualifying Tribal child welfare programs that receive title IV-B funding. The Center works in close partnership with each program, providing support that is culturally responsive, community-led, and grounded in Indigenous Ways of Knowing.
The Center’s services are offered in three areas:
Resources
Building Knowledge
The Center develops and shares culturally relevant tools designed to strengthen Tribal child welfare programs. These resources are available to all Tribal programs through our resource library and include:
Webinars and podcast episodes
Downloadable guides, templates, and checklists
Tools from Tribes — real examples shared by Tribal programs
- Resource collections by topic (e.g., ICWA, prevention, data, workforce)
There are no eligibility requirements to access these materials, and the resource library is regularly updated. If a program is seeking something specific, the Center’s Resource Librarian is available to help.
Learning Opportunities
Peer-driven connection, learning, and information-sharing
At the National Tribal Child Welfare Center for Innovation and Advancement, meaningful growth is seen as something that happens within community. The Center offers several peer-driven learning opportunities that provide a space for Tribal child welfare professionals to come together through reflection and shared purpose.
Webinars
The Center offers a variety of knowledge-sharing opportunities facilitated by subject matter experts and respected practitioners on a variety of topics. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed on upcoming public webinar events and view previously recorded webinars in our Resource Library .
Learning Communities
Rooted in Indigenous Ways of Knowing (IWOK), these peer learning spaces go beyond information exchange by fostering mutual support, storytelling, and recognition of the lived experiences of those doing the work. Within each learning community, participants engage with real-world challenges and innovations, share culturally grounded practices, and learn from one another in a circle of trust and reciprocity.
In these spaces, knowledge is collectively generated. Sessions are designed to center Indigenous voices, promote peer connection, and uphold cultural humility. Eligibility is open to individuals working in eligible title IV-B Tribal child welfare programs, including Tribal ICWA staff, social service staff, caseworkers, supervisors, directors, and administrators who support American Indian and Alaska Native children and families.
Learning communities are offered in each of the following areas:
- Prevention and Family Preservation
- Data Management and Systems
- Workforce Development and Support
- Tribal-State Collaboration
- Meeting Federal Requirements
Interested in signing up for a learning community? Learn more and register here.
Upcoming Events
- Webinar
Title IV-E Virtual Summit
- May 13, 2026
- 12pm - 5pm ET 11am - 4pm CT 10am - 3pm MT 9am - 2pm PT 8am - 1pm AKT
- Register
- Webinar
Title IV-E Virtual Summit (Day 2)
- May 14, 2026
- 12pm - 5pm ET 11am - 4pm CT 10am - 3pm MT 9am - 2pm PT 8am - 1pm AKT
- Register
Tailored Technical
Assistance
Individualized Program Support
The National Tribal Child Welfare Center for Innovation and Advancement offers individualized technical assistance (TA) to qualifying Tribal child welfare programs that receive title IV-B funding. This service is grounded in respectful partnership and cultural humility, with the goal of supporting each program’s vision for strong, community-rooted child welfare systems. All TA is guided by experienced Tribal professionals with deep knowledge of both Tribal and state child welfare systems.
What Technical Assistance Includes:
The Center’s approach to technical assistance is relational, responsive, and grounded in Tribal sovereignty. Services are designed to honor each program’s unique context, capacity, and cultural foundation.
- Dedicated Tribal Liaison: Each TA partnership begins with a Tribal Liaison who serves as a consistent point of contact, building trust and understanding over time.
- Mutual Agreements: A team agreement outlines roles, expectations, and safeguards for the use and protection of Tribal data, stories, and community knowledge.
- Collaborative Workplan: TA activities are co-designed with the Tribe, aligning with the program’s goals, strengths, and priorities. Work plans remain flexible to adapt to emerging needs.
- Responsive Support: Assistance may be provided virtually or, when needed and appropriate, through in-person visits. Support typically spans 3 to 12 months.
- Respectful, Culturally Grounded Process: All efforts are carried out with respect for cultural protocols, timelines, and the lived experiences of the community.
Focus Areas May Include:
The Center’s TA can help strengthen a range of areas, including:
- Data Management: Building systems that reflect community values, support continuous improvement, and meet federal or local reporting needs.
- Federal Requirements: Navigating title IV-B, IV-E, ICWA compliance, and reporting expectations with confidence and clarity.
- Prevention Programs: Designing or enhancing culturally centered prevention and family preservation initiatives.
- Tribal-State Collaboration: Improving relationships, agreements, and communication between Tribal programs and state agencies.
- Workforce Support: Supporting staff well-being, recruitment, retention, training, and role clarity in culturally meaningful ways.
This technical assistance is co-created with Tribal partners to reflect each community’s strengths, priorities, and vision for supporting the safety and well-being of Native children, families, and communities.