Learning Session "C" - Tuesday June 28, 2022
10:45 am - 12:00 pm

C1     Fostering ICWA through Cultural Humility (repeated in "A" group of workshops)
Kimee Wind-Hummingbird, ICWA Technical Assistance Consultant
Christina C. Bell Andrews, JD, MPH, MBA, MA,  ICWA Technical Assistance Consultant

This interactive workshop will provide attendees with foundational knowledge on the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA). ICWA is considered to be the “gold standard” in terms of serving families and keeping children connected to family, culture, and community. This session will highlight aspects of ICWA through an interactive presentation that offers insight to: History of ICWA; Protections provided for families under ICWA; and the Significance of ICWA today, in Tribal communities. Additionally, through open discussion, presenters will illustrate ways to engage Indian families in a way that honors their diverse cultures, values and belief systems. Upon completion of this workshop, participants will have a better understanding of ICWA, engaging Indian families and the importance of cultural humility while walking alongside Indian families.

​C2     The Foster Youth Bill of Rights and Reasonable Prudent Parenting Standard (repeated in "B" group of workshops)
Kaela Montoya, Associate Governmental Program Analyst
Byran Gross, Associate Governmental Program Analyst
California Department of Social Services

The Office of Foster Care Ombudsperson (OFCO) will be doing an interactive and engaging training that will focus on the importance of the Foster Youth Bill of Rights and some disparities in foster care. You will learn about the role, duty, functions, and limitations of the California Office of the Foster Care Ombudsperson. We will explore equity as a driving value behind the Foster Youth Bill of Rights and the work of the OFCO and learn how to use cultural humility as a framework for advocating for foster youth. At the end of the training, you will understand  the Foster Youth Bill of Rights and how it protects cultural differences. You will also understand the role and duties of the OFCO and how to advocate on behalf of foster youth pertaining to their rights. You will leave with a folder of Foster Youth Bill of Rights publication materials.

​C3     County and FFA Partnership Working with Relatives and the Pre-approval Process
(repeated in the "A" group of workshops)
Donna Ibbotson, LCSW, Program Director Lilliput/ Wayfinder
Cathi Johnson, Program Manager, Sacramento County DCAF

Join us for a discussion on a county/FFA program supporting relatives that have been placed with kin youth through emergency placements and completing the RFA process. Sacramento County and Wayfinder/Lilliput have been successfully working together to assist relatives placed with kin, complete the RFA process to continue to provide care for the youth. You will learn about the process of referring the relatives to FFA's and what supports and services the FFA and county provide, what the outcomes have been over the past 3 years, and benefits to county and FFA of the program.  We will save time for  a question and answer section to answer any questions you have.

C4     How to Support CSEC Youth and Foster Parents Caring for CSEC Youth (repeated in "B" group of workshops)
Kia Dupclay, Restoration Diversion Services INC, CSEC & HT Survivor/ Program Director

We will review the difference between CSEC youth, at-risk youth, and disconnected youth. We will also review the barriers youth face when in placement and in the game. We will discuss room for relapse and review harm reduction practices and best ways to engage youth. We will also discuss best care practices for supporting caregivers and discuss safety planning. We will also review how to engage and support current foster parents and building connections with new foster parents. Will discuss bridging the gap between parent and youth while supporting long-term placement.  We will also provide tips on how to recruit homes for these youth. 

​C5     AB 686-Integrating the Indian Community Standards into RFA (Repeated in "A" group of workshops)
California Department of Social Services Staff

Chaptered in 2020, AB 686 enhanced the RFA process for tribal families by requiring the Indian Community Standards be incorporated into the RFA process for families wanting to care for specific children. This workshop will walk through what this looks like in policy and practice.

C6 What is SB 354 and How Does it Impact RFA? (Repeated in "A" Group of Workshops
Kim Wrigley, LCSW
Chief of the Resource Family and Eligibility Support Bureau
Family Permanency and Support Services Branch

C7    Building Relationships and Promoting ICWA for the Best Interest of Indian Children, Families and Tribes (Repeated in "A" group of workshops)
Season Goodpasture, M.S., Clinical Director, Pala Band of Mission Indians 
Antonia Torres, MSW, Protective Services Program Manager, Policy and Program Support, County of San Diego

For over 30 years, San Diego Tribes and the County of San Diego have worked to build a relationship that helps to promote ICWA for the best interest of Indian children, families and tribes. This workshop will take you through our journey in San Diego to partner and work towards achieving ICWA compliance through consultation, active efforts and placement decisions.

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C8    RFA Recruitment: Out of the Box (Repeated in the "B" group of workshops)
Nancy Griggs, MSW, Resource Parent Recruiter and Trainer
Melissa Popovic, RFA Social Worker
Stanislaus County Community Services Agency Child Welfare

Come hear the recruitment efforts Stanislaus county has used both during the pandemic and now.   Our recruitment efforts transitioned into methods and formats that were not always relied upon prior to the pandemic.  Now that restrictions are loosening and in person events are becoming increasingly permitted, we will review what versions of recruitment worked before, during, and after the past two years.  We will help to clarify how effective hybrid versions of recruitment can be and provide information on how Stanislaus County is navigating the new culture of recruitment for resource families.

We would like to hear from you as well!  We hope other counties will share their successes; what has worked and not worked for their agencies.  As a group we will look at what types of RFA recruitment efforts are practical and helpful to retain current resource families, as well as recruit new families. Even if you are not a recruiter, join us for a creative workshop on effective and collaborative recruitment.