January 31, 2023
Vol. 26
CTFC MONTHLY HIGHLIGHTS
Latest News from California Tribal Families Coalition
You're invited to the CTFC 2023 Annual Meeting on March 30 in Sacramento, CA!

The Annual Meeting is a time for CTFC Delegates and tribal leaders and representatives to gather with CTFC Board Members, staff, lawmakers, and guest speakers. This year, we will host Board Elections, discuss ongoing projects of the Coalition and plan for the future of Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) and tribal child welfare related work in California.

Register HERE to join us in-person or virtually.
Board Elections – Nominations Still Open
CTFC member tribes who will be at the meeting in Sacramento on 3/30 may still nominate a duly elected tribal leader from a federally recognized tribe located in California until February 27. To submit a nomination, please submit the nominee’s name, tribe, and elected position at the tribe to nominations@caltribalfamilies.org.
Tribal Dependency Representation Dollars Step 1 Now Available

State dollars are soon going to be available for all tribes in California to pay for legal counsel in state ICWA cases and action is needed by April 7 for tribes to claim this funding. The funding, available through the new Tribal Dependency Representation Program (TDRP), was established through legislation led by Assemblymember Ramos and CTFC member tribes and will be available by June 30, 2023. Every federally recognized tribe in California has the opportunity to receive at least $15,000 annually.

To secure your funding there are a few steps that must be taken:

  1. Review and complete the letter of interest form circulated by CDSS for both Fiscal Year (FY) 2022/23 and 2023/24. If you need the form or assistance completing the form, please reach out to tribal.affairs@dss.ca.gov. The deadline is April 7, 2023.
  2. Your tribe will need to enter a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the California Department of Social Services (CDSS). The MOU is currently being developed in tribal consultation. Once the MOU language is released, we will send all CTFC member tribes resources about the program. The signed MOU will need to be submitted to CDSS by June 23, 2023.

If you are interested in securing this funding for your tribe and using CTFC attorneys to represent your tribe in ICWA cases, please reach out to us as soon as possible at contact@caltribalfamilies.org.
Thanks to All Who Joined the First Gathering of Tribal Social Service Directors!
CTFC resumed regular gatherings of Tribal Social Service Directors on January 25 - thank you to all who joined! These gatherings are intended to build community and improve tribal child welfare practice. If you are interested in joining future gatherings, please contact Blair Kreuzer at blair.kreuzer@caltribalfamilies.org.
Funding Now Available for Tribal Behavioral Health Crisis Vehicles & Related Costs
The Crisis Care Mobile Units will award up to $1 million to any Tribe or Tribal entity in California for purchasing and maintain vehicles to provide behavioral health services! Applications are due February 28.

Read more HERE.
Member Tribe Spotlight: Yurok Tribe Announced a New Youth Center!
The Yurok Tribe announced on January 19, a new award that will fund a youth center designed with input from tribal youth! The center will include exciting opportunities like:
  • Office space for behavioral health staff, professional therapists and external service providers
  • Cultural classroom
  • Computer station for virtual medical appointments
Base Funding of $75,000 Available for Tribal Foster Home Support

Authorized by the Governor’s Omnibus Bill AB 207, funding will be available soon to provide tribes located in California dollars for recruitment, approval, and retention of foster and adoptive placement homes.

  • How much funding? Annual base funding for all 109 tribes located in California in the amount of $75,000. Any funding that is leftover either because some tribes do not apply to access, or because the state is able to secure additional funding, will be distributed to tribes who have applied according to a methodology determined through tribal consultation.
  • How is the funding accessed? CDSS is currently engaging in consultation with tribes to prescribe the guidelines for accessing this funding.
  • When can the funding be accessed? Though CDSS must engage in consultation to develop the guidelines for access, tribes should request initiation of the required agreement as soon as possible by emailing tribalaffairs@dss.ca.gov.
Tribal Leaders Needed on State Boards and Commissions

There are many current vacancies on state boards and commissions including the Native American Heritage Commission, Interagency Coordinating Council on Early Intervention, and the Native American Vocational Rehab Project (State Rehabilitation Council).

As our work has highlighted in the past year, Natives with intellectual and developmental disabilities go underserved in California. Having tribal leadership on advisory bodies like those listed above can inform the work of state agencies charged with providing services to special needs populations and, in turn, improve access to services in tribal communities. If you or a tribal leader/representative have ever considered getting involved at this leadership level fill out an application HERE!
UPCOMING EVENTS