Concurrent Jurisdiction and ICYF Child Welfare
Who: Tribal Members and Descendants
What: Partners with the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) for court advocacy, and supporting our families in legal matters. Through our work with the courts and adherence to ICWA, we ensure fair treatment and cultural continuity for Native American families with the focus always prioritized on child safety.
Foster Care and Respite Support
Who: Tribal Members and Descendants
What: Support Foster care placement providers and respite care providers for tribal children. Our goal is to actively engage with these families, offering not only practical assistance but also emotional support and resources.
State Agency Work Groups
Who: Tribal Members and Descendants
What: Advocates for policy change on State and Federal level to support Tribal Sovereignty by working government to government within multiple workgroup settings.
Team
The Indian Child Welfare (ICW) team protects and advocates for Jamestown’s children and families. We work with all Jamestown families who become involved in the Child Welfare system, regardless of where they live, to ensure their rights under the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) are protected and maintained.
Our Indian Child Welfare (ICW) program is dedicated to safeguarding the well-being of Native American children and families within the Jamestown S’Klallam community. Through a series of carefully structured support services and collaborative efforts, we aim to address and mitigate the challenges faced by these families, promoting a healthy, secure, and culturally connected community. From preventive support initiatives to fostering partnerships with State and Federal agencies, our efforts are rooted in the principle of active engagement and support. Below, we outline the key components of our program and the various ways in which we strive to make a meaningful impact on the lives of our people.
Involves a collaborative partnership with the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) through the Court Advocacy program. This collaboration allows for active engagement in court cases, advocating for the principles of the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) to promote the rights and cultural continuity of Native American children and families.
Our team is committed to delivering comprehensive supportive services to foster care and respite providers identified within the Jamestown community. Our primary objective is to extend a helping hand to families who have opened their hearts and homes to children, whether for long-term placements or short-term respite care. These families, undertaking the vital role of foster care and respite, often encounter unique challenges and responsibilities. Long-term foster care involves a deep and lasting commitment, requiring ongoing support to address the evolving needs of both the children and the fostering families. Similarly, short-term respite providers play a crucial role by offering temporary relief to families and caregivers. Our goal is to actively engage with these families, offering not only practical assistance but also emotional support and resources. Please reach out to us if you are interested in any of these roles.
The ICW program places a significant emphasis on the proactive support provided to families within the Jamestown S’Klallam community. We are dedicated to offering preventative measures that address various aspects of family life, including educational advocacy, medical needs, easily accessible supplies, and community resources. Our overarching objective is to empower families and ensure their well-being, as we firmly believe that prevention is the cornerstone for keeping families out of the child welfare system.
Extending the team’s dedication beyond direct service provision, our team is highly present in advocacy efforts within state and federal circles to shape policies favoring tribal families. The involvement spans multiple essential workgroups, reflecting a commitment to strong tribal collaboration and government-to-government partnerships. This includes the ICW Subcommittee, the AD Hoc Active Efforts and Licensing Work Group, the ICW Court Steering Committee, and the Region 5 & 6 Work Group, all embodying the philosophy of collaboration and emphasizing the importance of tribal input and self-determination in policy development. The Tribe also provides training for local agencies, to ensure the laws of ICWA are understood and upheld.