American Indian and Alaska Native Children Exposed to Violence (opportunity/training)

DOJ Task Force on American Indian and Alaska Native Children Exposed to Violence

Listening Session Teleconference

Native-serving schools are increasingly affected by the aftermath of children exposed to violence. Native students often arrive at school showing repercussions from violence, the consequences of which result in poor academic achievement and destructive behavior. To ensure that the important perspectives of educators, parents, and stakeholders are heard, NIEA and federal partners scheduled a listening session conference call on children exposed to violence for Thursday, July 24, 2014 from 3:00 to 4:30pm (eastern).

Recently at the 2013 White House Tribal Nations Conference, Attorney General Eric Holder announced the creation of the Attorney General's Task Force on American Indian and Alaska Native Children Exposed to Violence.  Anchored by both a federal working group that includes U.S. Attorneys and officials from the Departments of the Interior and Justice and an advisory committee of experts, the task force examines the scope and impact of violence facing American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) children and makes policy recommendations to the Attorney General on methods to address these issues. 

The Advisory Committee has convened four public hearings and several listening sessions to examine the pervasive problems associated with AI/AN children exposed to violence in their homes, schools, and communities. This teleconference is the next opportunity to provide comments. The information collected from hearings and listening sessions will assist the Task Force, through the Advisory Committee, in developing policy recommendations. 

Important Information

  • Date: Thursday, July 24, 2014 
  • Time: 3:00 to 4:30pm (eastern)
  • Call-in Information: 866-939-8416     Passcode: 5185319
  • Additional Details: Please click HERE.

 For more information, please contact NIEA Policy Associate, Clint J. Bowers, at cbowers@niea.org.

ICWA Expert Witness (opportunity/training)

Announcing Two ICWA Training Sessions:

ICWA Expert Witness 

Tule Tribal Office (Brafford Conference Room)
Porterville, CA
May 23, 2014

Distance Learning Class with Fee Waived
for California Indian Child Welfare
Organizations and Workers
 
With funding from the Governor's Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES), National Indian Justice Center’s Native American Children Training Forum (NACTF) is developing distance learning training curriculum.  This Training is an On-site pilot of the curriculum developed under this Grant.  This is a TUITION FREE training.
 
The focus of this training session will be Expert Witness (use of Expert Witnesses in Indian Child Welfare cases).
 
It is imperative that members of tribal councils, tribal court judges and child welfare service providers understand the application, requirements and interaction between these laws especially in developing use of an Expert Witness.  This training will discuss when to use an expert witness, how they can and should be used, and from what lists should be generated. The course would assist tribal representatives, advocates, community members etc, on the unique categories of expert witnesses and differentiating the various ways that Expert Witnesses can be utilized in an ICWA case. 
 
Note: This Training will be videotaped for online curriculum development purposes. You will be asked to fill out a video release form at the training.

There are a limited number of stipends available for participants who attend this training.  To be considered for a stipend please follow the steps below:
 
1) Please register for the training, prior to submitting a request for a stipend. Contact Margaret Colglazier at tcoord@nijc.org or fax (707) 579-9019 to register; 2) Stipends are limited and considered in the order received; 3) Please email your stipend request to Cassandra Overton at Cassandra@cimcc.org or fax (707) 579-9019. If your request is approved, within 1 week we will send you a notice of confirmation and a payment request form; 4) May 16th is the deadline to register.  Approved stipends will be paid by mail within 30 days of the training.
 
STIPENDS WILL NOT BE PAID UNLESS APPROVED PRIOR TO THE TRAINING AND REQUESTS CONFORM TO GUIDELINES PROVIDED IN YOUR STIPEND APPROVAL.
  
This Training Session Will Examine
 
►  Overview of the Indian Child Welfare Act
► When is an expert witness required in an ICWA case?
► Who may be qualified as an expert witness under this section?
► What qualifications must a qualified expert witness possess?
► How many experts are required?
► Can the qualifications of an expert be challenged?
► What is the effect of failing to use a qualified expert?
► Does a state social worker qualify as an expert witness?
► Does a tribal social worker qualify as an expert witness?
► Must expert witness testimony be based on direct personal contact with the relevant parties?
►How is expert testimony used in cases involving ICWA and the state law burden of proof?
► How can one locate an expert witness?
 
CLICK HERE FOR LOGISTICS AND REGISTRATION FORM
 

ICWA
Tribal Representative
Courtroom Preparation

Redding Rancheria,
Redding, California
July 28, 2014
 
 
Distance Learning Class with Fee Waived for California Indian Child Welfare Organizations and Workers
 

With funding from the Governor's Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES), National Indian Justice Center’s
Native American Children Training Forum (NACTF) is developing distance learning training curriculum.  This Training is an On-site pilot of the curriculum developed under this Grant. This is a TUITION FREE training.
 
The focus of this training session will be Tribal Representative Courtroom Preparation, providing tips and techniques for those representing tribal interests in Court.  This course will provide best practices  for tribal representatives to effectively present their cases in tribal and nontribal courts. Topics will include: tribal report writing (how ensure you tribal report is admissible), admitting your report in court, tips for sitting on the stand, courtroom decorum, how to speak with the judge effectively, what documents to bring, key laws and regulations, etc.
 
Note: This Training will be videotaped for online curriculum development purposes. You will be asked to fill out a video release form at the training. 

There are a limited number of stipends available for participants who attend this training.  To be considered for a stipend please follow the steps below:

1) Please register for the training, prior to submitting a request for a stipend. Contact Margaret Colglazier at tcoord@nijc.org or fax (707) 579-9019 to register; 2) Stipends are limited and considered in the order received; 3) Please email your stipend request to Cassandra Overton at Cassandra@cimcc.org or fax (707) 579-9019. If your request is approved, within 1 week we will send you a notice of confirmation and a payment request form; 4) April 18th is the deadline to register.  Approved stipends will be paid by mail within 30 days of the training.
 
STIPENDS WILL NOT BE PAID UNLESS APPROVED PRIOR TO THE TRAINING AND REQUESTS CONFORM TO GUIDELINES PROVIDED IN YOUR STIPEND APPROVAL. 

This Training Session Will Cover:
► Overview of the Indian Child Welfare Act
► The role of tribal representatives in ICWA court proceedings
► What  to expect in court proceedings.
► What to expect when testifying
► Elements of the court Tribal Report, how to write an effective report.
► Admitting reports into evidence
► Interacting with Judges
► Useful citations, resolutions, etc. to strengthen your case