The Catherine Cutler Institute at the University of Southern Maine will improve Tribal child welfare services with the largest grant in its history, a $21 million, five-year award from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration on Children, Youth, and Families, Children’s Bureau. This landmark funding will establish the National Tribal Child Welfare Center for Innovation and Advancement, dedicated to fostering systemic, sustainable improvements in Tribal child welfare services across Indian Country.
The National Tribal Child Welfare Center for Innovation and Advancement (the Center) will deliver integrated, culturally responsive, and high-quality technical assistance (TA) to Tribal child welfare programs. Through innovative service delivery approaches that recognize Tribal sovereignty and cultural values, the Center aims to achieve greater safety, permanency, and well-being for American Indian and Alaska Native children, youth, and families.
Sarah M. Nelson (Sault Tribe of Chippewa), Co-Project Director and Co-Principal Investigator
The Center’s goals are to:
- Assist Tribes in achieving sustainable, systemic change that results in greater safety,
permanency, and well-being for children, youth, and families. - Dramatically improve the experiences of children, youth, and families when contact
with the child welfare system is necessary. - Deliver effective, high-quality TA to Tribal child welfare agencies that is aligned with
Tribal customs, traditions, and beliefs.
Key areas of focus include:
- Providing technical assistance individualized to each Tribal program’s needs.
- Hosting peer services and offering training opportunities for Tribal child welfare
professionals through peer networking that offer opportunities to build relationships
and share knowledge. - Developing and disseminating vital, innovative, and accessible resources for Tribal
child welfare professionals. - Developing evidence-based standards of care.
The Center’s services will align with the following priority areas:
- Enhancing Tribal workforce development and leadership.
- Expanding Tribal prevention programs.
- Supporting Tribal programs in federal compliance and policy implementation.
- Strengthening Tribal-state partnerships.
- Improving data management and case oversight.
Collaborative Partnerships: The success of the Center will be bolstered by collaborations
with partner organizations, including JBS International, the National Native Children’s
Trauma Center at the University of Montana, Three Star Government Solutions, the Kathryn
M. Buder Center for American Indian Studies at Washington University in St. Louis, and
L&M Policy Research.
Grant Term: The $21 million project will span five years through September 30, 2029. The
funding includes $4.7 million allocated for the first year.
For more information about the National Tribal Child Welfare Center for Innovation and
Advancement, please contact: Co-Principal Investigator and Co-Project Director, Sarah M. Nelson,
sarah.m.nelson@maine.edu