California Tribal Families Coalition advocates for improved and consistent county, state and federal policies that support Indian Child Welfare Act compliance, tribal sovereignty and the well-being of tribal children and families. In this effort, CTFC:
- Gathers information from tribes to identify policy priorities through listening sessions, tribal convenings, and ongoing tribal outreach.
- Conducts research and prepares reports, FAQs and webinars on important issues in Indian child welfare.
- Monitors county, state and federal policy implementation through participation in state and federal consultation efforts and workgroups, review of issued guidance and regulations, plans and reports, and legislation.
- Advocates for changes to proposed polices, guidance and legislation through oral and written comments including preparing model comments for tribes.
Through our advocacy over the past 5 years:
- California State Department of Social Services (CDSS) developed an Office of Tribal affairs to assist the Department in engaging and consulting with tribes on policies that affect tribal children.
- CDSS developed an ICWA Statewide Plan including the implementation of an ICWA Complaint Hotline for tribes and ICWA Data Dashboard.
- State implementation of the federal Family First Prevention Services Act includes requirements for the state and counties to engage and consult with tribes in the development of prevention services and to ensure tribal collaboration in the provision of prevention services to tribal children.
- Resource Family Approval Written Directives include specific county guidance to collaborate with tribal representatives to apply the social and cultural standards of the Indian community to every home approval for an Indian child.
- Tribal Customary Adoption – CTFC ensures regulations are reflective of the intent of the law and addressing conflicts with implementation of Resource Family Approval.
- Statewide Integrated Core Practice Model includes tribal collaboration guidance and consideration of culturally appropriate engagement and service provision strategies.
Current State Policy Efforts
Current Open Consultation/Collaborative Engagement Efforts:
- Tribal Advisory Committee (TAC)/Tribal Consultation
- April 28, 2023 – Tribal Advisory Committee (9:30 – 11:30 a.m.)
- May 26, 2023 – Tribal Consultation (9:00 – 12:00 p.m.)
- August 25, 2023 – Tribal Advisory Committee (9:00 – 12:00 p.m.)
- September 20, 2023 – Annual Tribal Consultation Summit (ATCS) – (9:00 – 12:00 p.m.)
- IN PERSON 744 P Street, Sacramento, CA 95814 in Rooms OB8 235/237
- VIRTUAL LINK
- ATCS Invitation Letter
- ATCS Agenda
- 11/1/23 – Comments due to CDSS (tribal.consultation@dss.ca.gov)
- 1/10/24 – CDSS Response to comments due
- Contact Tribal.Consultation@dss.ca.gov for copies of consultation materials
- September 20, 2023 – Consultation on Tribally Approved Homes (2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.)
- IN PERSON 744 P Street, Sacramento, CA 95814 in Rooms OB8 235/237
- VIRTUAL LINK
- TAH Consultation Invitation Letter
- 10/4/23: Comments due to CDSS
- Model Tribal Comments
- 10/18/23: CDSS Response to comments due
- Contact Tribal.Consultation@dss.ca.gov for copies of consultation materials
- October 27, 2023 – Tribal Advisory Committee (9:00 – 12:00 p.m.)
- December 15, 2023 – Tribal Advisory Committee (9:00 – 12:00 p.m.)
- April 28, 2023 – Tribal Advisory Committee (9:30 – 11:30 a.m.)
- California Annual Progress and Services Report (APSR)
- May 11, 2023Â –Â 2024 Annual Progress and Services Report Consultation (3:00 – 4:30 p.m.)
- Tribal Leader Letter with Information on Consultation
- Meeting Link
- Written feedback due June 23, 2023 to Consultation@dss.ca.gov and APSR@dss.ca.gov
- 2023 Annual Progress Services Report (submitted to ACF on June 30, 2022)
- 2024 Draft APSR available to Tribes through CDSS
- Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA)
- Available Funding for Tribes through the California Department of Social Services
- CDSS Overview
- CTFC Comments on Funding Sources from 2.24.23 and 3.3.23 Tribal Consultations
- April 24, 2023 – FINAL DAY FOR TRIBES TO SUBMIT SIGNED BASE MOU
- Tribally Approved Homes Compensation Program
- Tribal Dependency Representation Program
- Excellence in Family Finding, Engagement, and Support Program
- Flexible Family Supports and Home-Based Foster Care
Current California Department of Social Services Workgroups:
- AFCARS Workgroup
- CFT/CANS Implementation Workgroup
- FFPSA Workgroup
- Placement Workgroup
- Resource Family Approval (RFA) Written Directives
- Written Directives v.8 (effective November 2, 2022)
- Structured Decision Making Workgroup
- TCA Workgroup
Past CTFC State Policy Efforts Can be Viewed HERE.