Tribal State Collaboration GroupDecember 2013

Alaska

History of Tribal State Collaboration Group (TSCG)

Accomplishments

2013 Highlights

On-Going Work

Presentation Outline

1993 – Federal Title IV-B, Subpart 2 (Family Preservation and Family Support)

1994 – Alaska Office of Children’s Services and 8 Regional Tribal Organizations met with ACF Region X staff to:

evaluate the child welfare delivery system enhance or change services to better fit the

needs of families in their communities advocate for a continuum of services that are

culturally relevant, coordinated, integrated and family focused

How TSCG Began

Mutual respect

Equality of participation

Open and honest communication

Consistent participation - commitment to continue in the process

Willingness to think in new ways

Recognition and acknowledgement of commonalities

Follow through on commitments

Consensus in decisions

Flexibility

Accommodation of individual differences

Inclusion

TSCG’s Guiding Principles

Effective Partnerships Working together for solutions Effective collaborations and authentic

partnerships

Mutual Accountability Achieving ICWA compliance Advocating for tribal court development

Expanding Services and Resources Strategic resource planning and development Increased culturally centered practices

TSCG Vision

Statewide ICWA Coordinator Position

Five ICWA Specialists Positions

Tribal Title IV-E Program Coordinator Position

Tribal/State Co-Facilitated ICWA Trainings

ICWA Help Desk Positions

Five Tribal Representatives on Court Improvement Project

TSCG’s Accomplishments

Undoing Racism (The People’s Institute for Survival and Beyond)

Establishment of Knowing Who You Are Training (Casey Family Program)

Alaska Native Family Preservation Unit

Alaska Child Welfare Disproportionality Reduction Project

Tribal Title IV–E Administrative and Short Term Training Agreements

TSCG’s Accomplishments

Tribe/Tribal Entity Agreement Year

Cook Inlet Tribal Council, Inc. 2000Central Council Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska 2000Tanana Chiefs Conference 2000Association of Village Council Presidents 2001Maniilaq Association 2002Aleutian Pribilof Islands Assoc., Inc. 2002Sitka Tribe of Alaska 2002Kawerak, Inc. 2002Bristol Bay Native Association 2002Orutsaramiut Native Council 2010Nome Eskimo Community 2011

(MOU w/Kawerak 2006)

Alaska’s Tribal Title IV-E Partners

Objectives include:

To facilitate cooperation between the Office of Children Services and Tribes/Tribal Entities;

To increase opportunities for Tribes/Tribal Entities to provide services to Tribal citizens;

To increase and support Tribal Child Welfare infrastructures;

To provide for the best interests of Alaska Native Children;

To meet the policy goals of the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978 (ICWA); and

To provide Tribes/Tribal Entities access to federal funding under Title IV-E.

Tribal IV-E Partnership Objectives

Alaska’s Tribal Foster Care Licensing Standards, Procedures & Forms

Region X Technical Assistance and Support

In-Home Models

Tribal Title IV-E Maintenance Pilot Program

Highlights for 2013

Alaska’s Tribal Foster Care Licensing Standards, Procedures & Forms Finalized October 2013

Develops a process to license Tribal foster homes

Deemed in accord with federal requirements

Tribal Foster Care Licensing

Title IV-B Support

Regular attendees at TSCG

Available for Consultation

Valued Partners

Region X

In-Home Models

5 Tribes/Tribal organizations developed models under the WPIC initiative

Foundation of the models are tribal values and culture

Promotes a process for Tribes/Tribal organizations to evaluate clients’ needs and articulate culturally appropriate service provision

Provision of intensive, case management wrap around services

Tribal Title IV-E Maintenance

After many years of discussion, this program officially began in April 2012 with a letter of interest from the state to the Tribal Title IV-E partners. The selection process was based on ability, readiness and infrastructure. Tanana Chiefs Conference was selected in July 2012.

An agreement development team comprised of Child Welfare Directors from Association of Village Council Presidents (Cheryl Offt), Bristol Bay Native Association (Lou Johnson), Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska (Francine Eddy Jones), Tanana Chiefs Conference (Mary Johnson), the Office of Children’s Services (Kristie Swanson) and Department of Law (Carla Raymond).

Tanana Chiefs Conference Pilot

The Tribal Title IV-E Maintenance pilot program allows Tanana Chiefs Conference to claim Title IV-E funding as another option to assist in offsetting the cost of foster care for children in Tribal custody.

Currently there is limited financial support for relatives who are caring for children in Tribal custody. Increases Tribe’s financial and program capacity.

Enhancing Existing Infrastructure

Enhance Procedures

Case Plan & Case Review Systems

Coordinate Tribal Codes

Streamline Court Orders

Judicial Requirements Guide & Checklists

Tribal Foster Care Licensing Standards, Forms and Procedures

Training from State on Title IV-E IV-E Partner Meetings – 2x Annually Site Reviews Technical Assistance Tribal Title IV-E Manual

Joint Partnership - 2nd Edition Cheat Sheets / Quick References (Time Study,

etc.) Title IV-E Training from National Consultant

Tribal Participation in State IV-E Reviews

Tribal Participation in National IV-E Reviews

Building Tribal Capacity

State’s Commitment

Dedicated Staff

Modifications to State Child Welfare Data Base (ORCA)

Development of State and Federal Claiming and Payment Processes

Recognizing Tribally Licensed Foster Homes (regulatory change)

TCC Dedicated Work Space at Fairbanks OCS

Agreement Execution

December 18, 2013

Knowing You Who Are

Out of Preference Placement Work

Development of Confidentiality Agreements

Data – Ongoing Evaluation

In-Home Services Models

Continued Tribal Title IV-E Infrastructure Enhancement

Add Regional Tribal / State Meetings

Coordinate Training Efforts with Tribes / State

Modifying Grants to Increase Tribal Involvement for State Cases

TSCG’s On-Going Work

Questions / Answers

Lou Johnson, 907-842-4139, ext. 361Mary Johnson, 907-452-8251, ext. 3360Francine Eddy Jones, 907-463-7162Dena Ivey, 907-269-4035Kristie Swanson, 907-465-1696