By the end of the session/course, you will

Values:

V1: Recognize and be able to discuss the impacts of ongoing disenfranchisement of Native Peoples and the detrimental impacts of removing children from tribal communities, thereby affecting the health, wellness, and viability of Native American families and Tribe(s).

V2: Demonstrate commitment to the belief that Native American/Alaska Native children in the Child Welfare system have a right to equal consideration under the law and deserve ardent advocacy.

V3: Demonstrate understanding of and commitment to the importance of ensuring proper and timely adherence to the law (25 USC Ch. 21: INDIAN CHILD WELFARE) in ICWA cases.

V4: Recognize the importance of and model providing honest, quality testimony to help the court make their determination.

Knowledge:

K1: Develop a working understanding of the history behind and requirements of the Indian Child Welfare Act, Washington State Indian Child Welfare Act, and will learn the purpose of a Qualified Expert Witness in ICWA cases. (DCYF staff will review the QEW Policy: policy 2.40.60).

K2: Learn DCYF dependency timelines, when QEWs are required, and what is or may be required of the QEW in ICWA cases.

K3: Develop an understanding of, or review, basic DCYF child welfare proceedings, from removal to permanency and how to review a dependency case file.

K4: Learn what it means to assess whether custody of the child by the parent or Indian custodian is likely to result in serious emotional or physical damage to the child.

K5: Learn court preparation, and what steps they can take to ensure they are providing comprehensive testimony in ICWA cases. This will include Active efforts, placement preference, and case planning.

Skills:

S1: Be able to articulate the Federal and state definition of a QEW and be able to identify the importance of the QEW’s knowledge of Tribal customs as it pertains to family organization, prevailing social and cultural standards, child rearing practices, roles of relatives in caregiving, and importance of Tribal (group) identity. (DCYF staff will review the QEW Matrix and QEW policy and procedures.)

S2: Know timelines in ICWA cases with DCYF, specific to the QEW role, and be able to gather relevant information to properly assess when ICWA is being followed.

S3: Be able to locate and utilize resources relevant to the cases they are contracted to provide QEW services on.

S4: Learn court expectations and gain experience providing testimony and cross-examination in a simulated ICWA court hearing and will be able to provide accurate and pertinent information.

S5: Be able to describe the impact on children and families when Native American children are placed in non-Native homes, how it may have lifelong impacts on the child.