Nov. 29, 2022
Vol. 24
CTFC MONTHLY HIGHLIGHTS
Latest News From California Tribal Families Coalition
Support Indian Child Welfare Advocacy by Donating to CTFC this #GivingTuesday
Today is Giving Tuesday, a global event that reimagines a world built upon shared humanity and generosity.

This year, we encourage you to help defend protections for Indian children and families by donating to the California Tribal Families Coalition. Your contribution will support our continuing work as a force for change to advance tribal child welfare in California through our legislative efforts, litigation, trainings, and policy work.
As a tribal organization, the critical work being accomplished by CTFC is supported by our member tribes, private foundations, and individuals like you who believe that the rights and futures of Native children deserve protection.
CTFC Joins Tribes at US Supreme Court in Brackeen V Haaland
CTFC gathered with hundreds of people from across Indian Country to protect tribal children and tribal sovereignty during the Nov. 9 oral arguments before the U.S. Supreme Court in Brackeen v. Haaland.

Our Co-executive directors Blair Kreuzer and Michelle Castagne and our Legal Director Kimberly Cluff joined tribal leaders from California and across the nation outside the court to defend the Indian Child Welfare Act and its 44-year-old protections that help keep tribal children connected to their families and heritage while giving tribal nations a voice in child welfare cases.
CTFC Establishes the California ICWA Institute Think Tank to Help Protect ICWA and Tribal Children
The Coalition announced on Nov. 21 that it is assembling the best and most innovative minds in tribal social services and Indian child welfare practice to create a new think tank to advance and defend protections for Indian children, families and tribal sovereignty.

The California ICWA Institute will provide a strong and unified voice on behalf of tribal youth by crafting legal, policy and political strategies to protect Indian children and families, tribal child welfare systems and tribal sovereignty.

Beginning this week, CTFC will begin the work of the Institute with a California tribal listening session where participants will review and discuss existing threats to tribal sovereignty and attacks on ICWA – the most notable Brackeen v Haaland.
Tribal Dependency Representation Dollars
Are On the Way

On Thursday, Dec. 9, the California Department of Social Services is hosting tribal consultation on the implementation of a newly established program – the Tribal Dependency Representation Program – a 2022 legislative project led by Assemblymember Ramos and sponsored by CTFC.

In September, Gov. Newsom signed AB 207, which appropriated $4.1 million to establish the Tribal Dependency Representation Program. The program will make available $15,000 annual base funding per federally recognized tribe in California and will distribute the remaining funding according to a methodology created in consultation with tribes.

The importance of the tribal consultation on Dec. 9 cannot be overstated. This consultation will establish how millions of dollars are distributed to tribes including how tribes get notified of the funding, a model agreement for how tribes receive the funding, and the methodology for allocation. Prior to this innovative program, tribes were the only party in state ICWA cases without publicly funded legal representation. California is the first state in the country to provide resources to fund legal counsel for tribes in state cases and it wouldn’t have happened without the strong, unified voices of tribal leaders and stakeholders. Now, continued advocacy is needed as the program is launched and implemented.

Information about CDSS tribal consultation can be found HERE.
Version 8 of Resource Family Approval Directives Include Guidance on Tribal Collaboration 
On Nov. 1, Version 8 of the RFA Written Directives was released and became effective immediately.

Tribal representatives and CTFC reviewed and advocated on the Directives for several years, over several versions and were successful in having the Directives now 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.
Member Tribe Receives Funding to Establish a Regional Wellness Center!
CTFC congratulates member tribe, the Yurok Tribe, on the passage of SB 154 which allocated dollars for Yurok to establish a Regional Wellness Center that will provide tribally driven drug, alcohol, and mental health services.
Brackeen Breakdown on Dec. 2
Join us for the the next episode of our popular Brackeen Breakdown series on Friday, Dec. 2 at noon to 1pm.
 
For Episode 9, CTFC will review the oral arguments presented to the U.S. Supreme Court on Nov. 9 and the implications of the Court's decision. 

Please arrive with questions - we look forward to seeing you!

Attendees must register in advance - HERE.
CTFC Takes Part in Truth & Healing Council
On Friday, Nov. 18, CTFC presented to the California Truth & Healing Council during a panel on "Indian Child Welfare – Overview, Updates and Cross Generational Trauma."

Thank you to Gov. Gavin Newsom and the Governor's Office of Tribal Affairs for inviting us to present along with Mica Llerandi from the UCLA Law Native Nations Law & Policy Center and Dr. Renda Dionne Madrigal.
It was wonderful to be in community and connect with Vice Chairman Myers from the Yurok Tribe and artist Gerald Clarke from the Cahuilla Band of Indians.
Upcoming Events & Meetings
  • 12/2 at 11 a.m. Tribal Perspectives on Cultural Humility and Teaming with Tribes in Child Welfare – Free virtual training. Register HERE.
  • 12/2 at 12 p.m. Brackeen Breakdown - Register HERE.
  • 12/9 at 11 a.m. California Department of Social Services Tribal Consultation
  • 12/14 Northern Region Training for Tribal Advocates on Developmental Disabilities & Early Start in Tribal Communities & Early Start Services – Email us for more information.