Tribal Consultation, Tribal Compacting, and Tribal Engagement
Overview
The Alaska Department of Family and Community Services (DFCS) works collaboratively with Alaska Native Tribes and Tribal organizations to improve services and outcomes for children, youth, families, and elders across Alaska.
DFCS recognizes the unique government-to-government relationship between federally recognized Tribes and the State of Alaska. This relationship supports ongoing communication, coordination, and partnership on programs and policies that affect Tribal communities.
DFCS collaborates with Tribes in several ways, including:
Tribal consultation on policies, programs, and initiatives that may affect Tribal communities;
Tribal compacting and contracting, including the Alaska Tribal Child Welfare Compact;
Participation in advisory groups, workgroups, and committees; and
Joint training, technical assistance, and other collaborative efforts.
Tribal Consultation
Tribal consultation is a formal process that supports meaningful communication between state agencies and federally recognized Tribes on matters that may have a substantial direct effect on Tribal communities.
Through consultation, DFCS seeks to strengthen government-to-government relationships and to ensure that Tribal perspectives are considered in the development and implementation of programs, policies, and initiatives that affect Alaska Native children, families, and communities.
Tribal Engagement
Tribal engagement includes ongoing communication and collaboration between DFCS and Tribes outside of formal consultation.
Examples of Tribal engagement include:
Joint trainings and workshops;
Meetings with Tribal leaders and organizations;
Participation in advisory boards, workgroups, and committees; and
Collaboration on program development and service delivery.
These partnerships help ensure that DFCS programs are informed by Tribal perspectives and community priorities.
ICWA
Indian Child Welfare Act
What is ICWA?
The Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) is a federal law enacted in 1978 to protect the best interests of Indian children and to promote the stability and security of Indian Tribes and families. ICWA establishes minimum federal standards for child custody proceedings involving eligible Indian children.
For more information, visit the Office of Children's Services ICWA page.
National ICWA Resources
Additional information about ICWA is available from the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
Tribal-State Collaboration Group
The Office of Children's Services Tribal-State Collaboration Group provides resources including:
Child protective services disproportionality data;
Tribal partner contact information; and
ICWA-related tools and resources.
Alaska Tribal Child Welfare Compact
The Alaska Tribal Child Welfare Compact is a government-to-government agreement between the State of Alaska and participating Alaska Native Tribes and Tribal organizations.
Through the Compact, participating Tribes assume responsibility for delivering certain child welfare services within their communities. The Compact supports Tribal self-determination and strengthens culturally grounded services for Alaska Native children and families.
For more information, visit the Alaska Tribal Child Welfare Compact page.
Contact Information
Tribal Liaison
For further assistance, please contact:
Kaela Watson
kaela.watson@alaska.gov