Tribal Community Resources

Research shows that American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) children are over-represented in the child welfare system and that AI/AN individuals have higher rates of substance use disorders compared to other racial/ethnic groups. The current AI/AN generation’s experience of trauma and substance use disorders may be heightened by the intergenerational transmission of historical trauma of cultural traumatic experiences, and by the cumulative effects of harmful policies. Thus, it is crucial for both child welfare and treatment agencies to be culturally responsive to the needs of AI/AN families.

Treatment programs should recognize the impact of historical trauma and contemporary issues, accept differences in expression of identity and cultural connectedness, incorporate a relational approach that acknowledges the family’s current context and its vision for the future, and include traditional healing and cultural practices defined by each family. On a policy level, federal, state, and local partnerships should build relationships with tribal communities, ensure that tribal voices are heard within collaborative efforts, recognize tribal sovereignty, support funding to tribal entities, build cultural responsiveness into programs, and support research and evaluation of tribal programs.

• Highlighted Resource

  • Tapping Tribal Wisdom: Providing Collaborative Care for Native Pregnant Women With Substance Use Disorders and Their Infants: Lessons Learned From Listening Sessions With Five Tribes in Minnesota
    (PDF 1 MB)

    National Center on Substance Abuse and Child Welfare, 2018

    This document provides information from listening sessions with five tribes that received funding from the Minnesota Health Care Administration’s Integrated Care for High Risk Pregnant Women on the collaborative care models these tribes implemented for working with pregnant American Indian women and their families. This paper describes what worked well when developing and sustaining collaborative approaches, offers recommendations for next steps in achieving improved outcomes, and details what support or resources are most useful to tribes.

    View Document Tapping Tribal Wisdom: Providing Collaborative Care for Native Pregnant Women With Substance Use Disorders and Their Infants: Lessons Learned From Listening Sessions With Five Tribes in Minnesota

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  Policy and Practice Resources

  • Trauma-Informed Practice with American Indian/Alaska Native Populations
    (PDF 330 KB)

    National Child Welfare Workforce Institute, 2020

    This resource includes information on trauma-informed practice working with American Indian/Alaska Native individuals, children, families, and communities.

    View Document Trauma-Informed Practice with American Indian/Alaska Native Populations
  • Sustaining a Light for Hope for Families: How Tribal Home Visiting Programs Preserve Despite COVID-19 Challenges
    (PDF 330 KB)

    Administration for Children and Families (ACF) and Programmatic Assistance for Tribal Home Visiting (PATH), 2020

    This resource provides an overview of how the pandemic has affected Tribal communities. It features site examples from Tribal Maternal, Infant, Early Childhood Home Visiting programs and other services.

    View Document Sustaining a Light for Hope for Families: How Tribal Home Visiting Programs Preserve Despite COVID-19 Challenges
  • Child Welfare Capacity Building Center for Tribes

    Administration for Children and Families, Children's Bureau, 2017

    The Center for Tribes collaborates with American Indian and Alaska Native nations and offers services that strengthen and nurture children, youth, and families in order to ensure their safety, permanency, and well-being.

    Visit Website hild Welfare Capacity Building Center for Tribes
  • Supporting the Development of Young Children in American Indian and Alaska Native Communities Who Are Affected by Alcohol and Substance Exposure

    Administration for Children and Families, 2016

    This policy statement is designed to support early childhood programs and tribal communities. The document includes recommendations that assist with the development of American Indian and Alaska Native children in their early years (prenatal to age 8) who have been exposed to alcohol or substances during pregnancy or who are affected by parent or caregiver substance misuse during early childhood.

    Visit Website Supporting the Development of Young Children in American Indian and Alaska Native Communities Who Are Affected by Alcohol and Substance Exposure
  • Indian Health Services (IHS)

    The federal health program for American Indians and Alaska Natives

    IHS is an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that is responsible for providing federal health services to members of federally recognized tribes.

    Visit Website Indian Health Services (IHS)
  • National Child Welfare Resource Center for Tribes

    Administration for Children and Families, Children’s Bureau, 2016

    After the closure of the National Child Welfare Resource Center for Tribes, this website became a repository for all the center’s training and technical materials.

    Visit Website National Child Welfare Resource Center for Tribes

• Related Online Trainings, Videos, and Webinars

  • Tribal Home Visiting

    Administration for Children and Families, 2016

    Information on the Tribal Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting program and its grantee awardees are included in this website. The program provides funding for the development, implementation, and evaluation of home visiting programs in American Indian and Alaska Native communities.

    Visit Website Tribal Home Visiting
  • Tribal Training and Technical Assistance Center (TTAC)

    Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

    This center provides training and technical assistance for mental health and substance use disorders, suicide prevention, and mental health promotion to American Indian and Alaska Native communities.

    Visit Website Tribal Training and Technical Assistance Center (TTAC)
  • National Indian Child Welfare Association (NICWA): Tribal Best Practices

    NICWA works to address the issues of child abuse and neglect through training, research, public policy, and grassroots community development. NICWA supports compliance with the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978, which seeks to keep American Indian children with American Indian families.

    Visit Website National Indian Child Welfare Association (NICWA): Tribal Best Practices
  • Tribal Law and Policy Institute

    This nonprofit corporation delivers education, research, training, and technical assistance programs that promote enhancement of justice for Native peoples and advocates for their health, well-being, and culture.

    Visit Website Tribal Law and Policy Institute