SACRAMENTO, CA – The California Tribal Families Coalition (CTFC) has launched an online training portal for use by tribes, tribal and county social workers and child welfare attorneys, marking a significant milestone in the organization’s ongoing commitment to empowering tribal and community professionals.
Available as of Oct. 15, the online training portal at https://caltribalfoundation.org/ offers courses about Indian child welfare including, tribal social services practice, state and federal law and policy, tribal-county collaboration and the latest in case law. The portal also features content on education, developmental disabilities, juvenile justice and mental health as they intersect with the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA).
“Education and training are vital to our mission of supporting tribes and tribal families, and to protecting the rights and well-being of Indian children and tribal sovereignty,” said Maryann McGovran, CTFC Chairperson, who also serves on the North Fork Rancheria Tribal Council. “Our new portal represents a significant step forward in providing the resources and knowledge necessary for effective advocacy and support.”
To celebrate the launch, some trainings available in the portal will be free until January 1, 2025. Trainings will remain free to representatives of CTFC member tribes and will be available for purchase by others. Continuing education credits for attorneys and social workers will be provided, where applicable.
One recent training video captures a September 2024 CTFC webinar that examined the impacts of two recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions (Loper Bright and Corner Post). Led by attorney Jack Trope, a recognized Indian law and policy expert and CTFC’s Legal Director, Kimberly Cluff, the session offers eligible participants the chance to earn one hour of general participatory MCLE (Mandatory Continuing Legal Education) credit from the State Bar of California.
A sample menu of current and forthcoming courses includes:
- ICWA 101 – Indian Child Welfare Act: Still Here, Still Needed
- ICWA 102 – Placement Preferences, Court Findings & Why They Matter
- ICWA 103 – Active Efforts Advocacy for Special Needs Children
- Annual U.S. Supreme Court and California Appellate Case Updates
- Tribal Attorney Model Performance Standards for Child Welfare Representation
