How We Can Help

National Child Welfare Resource Center for Youth Development (NCWRCYD) staff can work with tribes to enhance the services provided to tribal youth through:

• The development of strategies that promote productive stakeholder meetings with states;

• The development of strategies that promote youth involvement and connections;

• The development of strategies that promote cultural responsiveness.

Working with Tribes

NCWRCYD has extensive experience in helping tribes to develop and improve program services provided to tribal youth. NCWRCYD staff are available to help with:

• Facilitating collaboration between states and tribes,

• Facilitating positive youth development activities in tribal communities,

• Promoting permanent connections of youth to family, community, and tribe, and

• Enhancing the capacity of tribes to provide transition services that reflect cultural competence.

Chafee Services for Tribal Youth

The Foster Care Independence Act of 1999 required that States consult with Indian tribes about their independent living programs and provide independent living activities to Indian children “on the same basis as to other children in the State.” To ensure that tribal youth receive John H. Chafee Foster Care Independence Program services that are readily accessible and culturally appropriate, NCWRCYD provides Training and Technical Assistance to Indian tribes and states that enhance program services in the areas of independent living, positive youth development, and cultural competency.

Resources for Tribes

The Tribal Resources Pages offer information and resources that may be useful to tribal and state agencies providing services to American Indian children, youth, and families:

Publications

This Publications Page offers a variety of studies, reports, curriculums, and strategies focusing on American Indian children and youth in out-of-home care. Also included are links to additional publications, including NCWRCYD’s Promising Practices monographs.

Links

The Links Page provides links to other sites that may be useful to tribal and state agencies providing services to American Indian children, youth, and families.

Tribal Fact Pages

The Tribe Fact Pages provide information on federally recognized American Indian Tribes, including location and contact information, if available.