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2022 Tribal/State ICWA Conference

We are not the ripples, we are the drop

Shuína Skó

We are not the ripples, we are the drop, turquoise and black conference logoThe conference theme “We are not the ripples, we are the drop” speaks to the importance of each of us taking personal responsibility for our actions – or lack of action – and how we affect others now and for generations to come. Be curious about the beauty of tribal culture and supportive of that which supports the continuation of it.

You can watch recorded videos for each session (posted below).

Take the survey

We hope you were able to attend the 2022 Virtual Tribal/State ICWA Conference!

If you attended, please take a short survey and give us your feedback so we can continue to improve and provide you with relevant content and information each year. 

Thank you!

Tribal/State ICWA Conference Survey

 ICWA Warriors

Amanda Hurst – Polk County CPS Worker
Cassie Moss – Oregon City Permanency Worker
Dionne Bronson - Family Engagement Program Manager, Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation
Geneia Maupin – Klamath County Program Manager
Madeline Hodge – ORCAH Screener
Ritter Warren – Polk County CPS Supervisor
Shuína Skó (Kayce Womack) – The Klamath Tribes
Taunie Brock – Umatilla County CPS Worker

ICWA Warrior nominee form

Conference materials and recordings

Daily Sessions

​ Day 1 Speakers​

Opening session
Closing session

 ​Day 2 Speakers

Opening session
Closing session​
  • Tribal/District Lunches (by invite only)

 Day 3 Speakers

Opening session
  • ​​​ORICWA Report Overview and Findings
  • CW Tribal Partnerships Discussion: Nurturing relationships
  • Call to Action
Closing session

​Day 3 general session​ has four tracks available with two options per track. Recordings of these sessions will be posted as they become available.

ICWA/ORICWA

​​​​​​​​​​Summary: Regional ICWA Specialists will present an overview on House Bill 4214 and Senate Bill 562, often referred to as the Oregon Indian Child Welfare Act (ORICWA). This session will provide participants with a stronger understanding of the basics of how ORICWA has impacted ODHS and Court practice to ensure better outcomes for Tribal Nations and families to meet the expectations of the law. 

As a result of attending this session, participants will:

  • Acquire a better understanding of the basics of ORICWA
  • Be better prepared to ensure that ORICWA is correctly applied to their casework and daily practice
  • Understand new required forms and documentation throughout casework
  • Enhance their understanding of Tribal partnerships and collaboration​

Recording​​

​​​​​​​​​Summary: ​In this workshop, attendees will be introduced to DOJ’s ORCIWA Resource Group. Attendees will also learn about common misunderstandings about ICWA, ORICWA, and their requirements.

As a result of attending this session, participants will:

  • Be introduced to DOJ’s ORCIWA Resource Group
  • Learn about common misunderstandings about ICWA, ORICWA, and their requirements
  • Improve their understanding of ICWA/ORICWA​
  • Improve daily practice in handling or ICWA/ORICWA cases​

Recording​

Prevention and Family Supports

​​​​​​​​Summary: A guided conversation with session participants about the basic concepts of the Spirit of Motivational Interviewing (MI).​ Session presenters will share how Motivational Interviewing can initiate client centered behavior change. The conversation will center on the unique, native-centered Motivational Interviewing taking place within the Oregon Tribal Nations. Session participants will have time to express reflections, thoughts, and questions during the session.

As a result of attending this workshop, participants will:

  • Identify the underlying perspective of the Spirit of MI, it’s mind-set and heart-set
  • Learn how Motivational Interviewing training in Oregon honors, is grounded in and centered around the native values and traditions unique to each tribe
  • Learn from MI training participants who provide their perspective and experience of MI
  • Provide resources for additional information and learning opportunities​​

Recording​​​

​​​​​​​​​​​Summary: Native Americans/Alaska Indians (NA/AI) have been conducting and implementing practices for years that have been shown to be effective within our own tribal communities. Yet NA/AI practices and other community practices ​has not been able to be scientifically validated. We have created a tool to document our tribal based practices that meets our tribal cultural principles then is culturally validated by a tribal panel. This has allowed us to implement TBP’s that is relevant to us, effective and more important works for our own communities.

Participants attending th​is workshop will:

  • Identify the challenges Native Americans face with “Evidence-Based practices” (EBP) 
  • Review work that has been done to validate practices as prevention interventions 
  • Discuss one tool currently used for Oregon Tribal communities​​

Recording​

Supervisor/Manager

​​​​​​​​​Summary: Join us for an exciting and engaging session that will not only build your understanding of the expectations of ORICWA case but will also enhance your abilities to guide and coach your workers regarding ICWA/ORICWA. We will also focus on the role of the supervisor and provide insight on how to ensure your worker is appropriately engaging with a Tribe. This presentation will provide instruction and assistance from a tribal partner to help increase attendee’s understanding of the relationship between state caseworkers and tribal partners. We will explain how increased partnerships and engagement work together for better outcomes for Tribal children and families. This virtual learning opportunity will offer direct coaching and feedback for supervisors to enhance their leadership for their workers. Throughout the session we will be actively engaging in small and large group discussion during our time together.

Participants attending this workshop will:

  • Enhance their knowledge and understanding of what Tribal partnership, collaboration and engagement looks like within the context of a case
  • Understand how to build authentic relationships with Tribal partners
  • Expand their comprehension of Tribal sovereignty and why casework needs Tribal engagement
  • Provide key ideas and information to enhance coaching and oversight of casework​​

​Recording​

​​​​​​​​​​​Summary: This session includes child welfare directors from the Oregon Tribes who will share about their program, partnership and collaboration with the Oregon Department of Human Services Child Welfare program and the Office of Tribal Affairs. The session will highlight access to services offered by Oregon Tribes.

This session is intended for Child Welfare Directors, Managers, Supervisors from Tribes or State; Community Serving Agencies serving Tribal populations; Caseworkers.

Recording​

Tribal

​​​​​​​​​​​Summary: “We are the drop, not the ripple.” This workshop will focus on actions of Tribal and State caseworkers, and how they will affect families now and in the future. The panel will focus on collaboration with Tribal partners and identifying tools child welfare and tribal caseworkers need to strengthen practice with ICWA/ORICWA eligible cases.

Workshop participants will:

  • Walk away with plans and tools for engagement and on-going partnership Tribe/State caseworkers.
  • Gain a stronger understanding of how action or a lack of action can impact families.
  • Understand the roles and responsibilities of Tribal/State caseworkers in the engagement of families

Recording​

​​​​​​​​​Summary: This session will be led by Oregon Department of Human Services Child Welfare Executive Leadership and will discuss the intent, impact, and actions of the Child Welfare Vision for Transformation in serving alongside Tribal Nations.

This session is intended for Tribes, community service agencies serving Tribal populations, State Child Welfare Managers, Supervisors and Caseworkers.

​​Recording​​

Logo design

The conference logo was designed by Shuína Skó (Kayce Womack). Learn more about Shuína, the design and how to get your conference swag.

Get to know Shuína Skó
Learn about the logo design

Sponsors

The 2022 conference is co-hosted by the Oregon Tribes, WAHONE (We are here Oregon Native employees) and the Office of Tribal Affairs.

WAHONE We are Here Oregon Native Employees
Oregon Department of Human Services Tribal Affairs