Job Opportunity - Senior Tribal Prevention Specialist at SPRC in EDC’s Health and Human Development Division

SPRC seeks Senior Tribal Prevention Specialist

SPRC seeks a Senior Tribal Prevention Specialist (PS) to be part of an 8-person team providing technical assistance to support grantees, tribes, states, and campuses around the country in their suicide prevention work.  This position will act as primary point of contact for assigned tribal GLS grantees and other SPRC partners working to advance suicide prevention in Native communities.  This position will also lead related projects to fill gaps and technical assistance (TA) needs among tribal grantees, and will collaborate closely with other teams to contribute to SPRC’s overall TA work supporting suicide prevention in American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities.

Qualifications include a master’s degree or equivalent experience in a relevant field; experience providing information and support by phone and e-mail; experience working with diverse Native communities; particularly on prevention and/or mental health services; and experience leading projects and managing multiple tasks.

For more information and to apply

Pow Wow Logo Contest

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Graduate Horizons 2016

We are pleased to announce that Graduate Horizons 2016 will be held at University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan from July 8 to July 12, 2016. The deadline to apply to our program will be February 3, 2016.  The application for our 2016 workshop will become available in early November.  If you are interested, please register at the link below to receive the application as soon as it becomes available.  By signing up, we will provide you with the application, deadline reminders and additional info regarding GH.  Your info will not be shared with any third parties. Register Here Help spread the word!  Do you know Native college students or college graduates who are seeking to apply to graduate or professional school?  Forward this email using the link below, or download our flyer and share. Anyone can visit our website at www.graduatehorizons.org to learn more details about our program.

National Native Organizations Release New Native Children's Policy Agenda

National Native Organizations Release New Native Children's Policy Agenda

National Indian Child Welfare Association Pledges to Put First Kids 1st 

Washington, DC - Native children form the backbone of future tribal success and someday will lead the charge to create thriving, vibrant communities which is why four national Native organizations - the National Congress of American Indians, the National Indian Child Welfare Association, the National Indian Education Association, and the National Indian Health Board - have come together to update the joint policy agenda for Native youth. The goal of this policy agenda is to set forth specific recommendations to improve the social, emotional, mental, physical, and economic health of children and youth,  allowing them to achieve their learning and developmental potential. In short, this initiative calls on key stakeholders to put First Kids 1st.

This agenda is intended as a tool to assist tribal leaders and other policymakers in their work to create and implement a vision for a vibrant, healthy community. It is also intended to guide stakeholders as they prioritize legislation and policy issues that may affect Native children and youth. The partners have identified four overarching themes as guiding principles for improving children's lives and outcomes. Within each theme, the agenda sets forth tribal strategies and policy objectives to implement these principles.

Native Children's Policy Agenda: Putting First Kids 1st is the updated work of the 2008 National Children's Agenda, created by the same four organizations and generously supported by W.K. Kellogg Foundation. This joint work for Native youth is part of the "First Kids 1st" initiative, which was announced last year and focuses on changing federal, state, and tribal policy to create conditions in which American Indian and Alaska Native children can thrive.

To read the full agenda, visit website.

Job Posting - NICWA Government Staff Attorney

NATIONAL INDIAN CHILD WELFARE ASSOCIATION 

POSITION TITLE: Government Affairs Staff Attorney 
SALARY RANGE: $45,000 to $65,000 Levels I to III 
CLASSIFICATION: Program, regular, full-time, exempt 
SUPERVISOR: Director of Government Affairs and Advocacy 
CLOSING: October 16, 2015 

RESPONSIBILITIES: The government affairs staff attorney of the National Indian Child Welfare Association (NICWA) is responsible for assisting American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities, children, and families in their efforts to improve public policy at all levels to support effective services for and the general well-being of AI/AN children and families. The following specific responsibilities must be carried out: 

• Ensures that tribal leaders and programs, policymakers, federal and state agencies, partner organizations, funders, NICWA staff, the NICWA board of directors, NICWA members, and others receive accurate, timely and helpful information regarding the needs of AI/AN children and families; the impact of policies and litigation on AI/AN children, families, and programs; and recommendations for action that will facilitate the development of more effective, appropriate, impactful policy 
• Ensures that policy and community development efforts are driven by and responsive to the communities and entities that NICWA serves 
• Promotes community and policymaker awareness of public policy developments related to AI/AN child, family, and service issues through the development and provision of written materials and presentations, and the use of other communication vehicles, such as telephone, electronic communications, e-mail, NICWA website postings, and webinars 
• Effectively plans and coordinates efforts to promote enhanced policy development that include NICWA constituents and partner agencies in a timely manner that maximizes impact 

DUTIES 

1. Tracks and analyzes legislative, administrative, and funding policies that impact AI/AN children, families, and communities. Develops, in coordination with the government affairs and advocacy director, NICWA’s position and response to these policies. 
2. Proactively tracks appellate-level ICWA cases across the states. Analyzes these cases for patterns, provides technical support to attorneys and social service providers, and works closely with NICWA government affairs and communications staff to strategize appropriate legal and media responses, which may include filing amicus curiae briefs on behalf of NICWA and partners, as appropriate 
3. Develops and maintains positive professional relationships with national and regional intertribal organizations, mainstream child welfare advocacy organizations, partners, key stakeholders, and constituents. Coordinates these entities’ effective and unified responses to policies and litigation that impact AI/AN children, families, and communities. 
4. Responds to request for information from constituents, child welfare professionals and attorneys seeking resources and information on the application of ICWA in child welfare cases and advises non-attorney staff to prevent unlawful practice of law and unnecessary liability risks 
5. Coordinates, develops, and disseminates, in collaboration with NICWA government affairs and communications staff, accurate and appropriate public policy information in a timely manner (written and oral) for members, constituents, partners, key stakeholders, and policymakers. 
6. Develops and makes presentations, including recommendations when appropriate, to constituents, partners, key stakeholders, and policymakers in an effective, concise, and professional manner on issues related to policies and litigation that impact AI/AN children and families 
7. Develops and provides training and technical assistance related to tribal governance and program capacity (including assistance on drafting tribal codes, program policies and procedures, court rules, intergovernmental and interagency agreements, and other program and policy issues) to tribal communities as required. 
8. Develops and provides training to help constituents understand federal laws that impact AI/AN children and families (such as ICWA) and that support tribal child welfare and children’s mental health programs (such as tribal Title IV-E) as required. 
9. Develops and provides training and technical assistance to federal, state, and private agencies related to effective service provision to AI/AN children and families, and the creation and maintenance of effective relationships with tribal governments and urban Indian communities. 
10. Provides staffing for the NICWA Board of Directors and its Public Policy Committee, including attending board meetings, planning conference calls and meetings, responding to board requests, preparing public policy materials for the board, periodically presenting policy information to the board, incorporating board feedback into program planning, and actively supporting the board’s engagement in NICWA government affairs work. 
11. Effectively collaborates with NICWA government affairs, development, and fiscal staff to create funding proposals and budgets for grants and contracts. Effectively manages program grants and contracts using NICWA program management standards and principles of sound fiscal management, to ensure the services and deliverables are met or exceeded in a timely manner. 
12. Performs other duties as assigned, such as representing government affairs on various NICWA teams and committees, and providing support to other NICWA program functions.

QUALIFICATIONS 

1. Has a JD and at least 2 years of relevant work experience in state and/or tribal child welfare systems; MSW or BSW preferred 
2. Current Oregon State Bar membership or ability to obtain admission shortly after hire 
3. Has strong knowledge of AI/AN culture, social service systems, including child welfare, mental health, juvenile justice and relevant policy structures 
4. Has knowledge and direct experience working with the Indian Child Welfare Act, and is familiar with its legal and practical applications, and the implications for children, birth families, extended families, foster parents, and tribes 
5. Has strong organizational skills 
6. Has ability to work in a team environment, both in leadership and peer relationships 
7. Has ability to meet with, solicit cooperation of, and deal effectively with people in various arenas, e.g., legal and legislative representatives, constituents, program directors, tribal representatives, trainers, consultants, etc. 
8. Has demonstrated skills in negotiating, mediating, and consensus and coalition building between diverse groups and individuals 
9. Has demonstrated use of analytical, planning, and administrative skills 
10. Has strong technical writing skills 
11. Has demonstrated ability to communicate both orally and in writing in an effective, professional, and timely manner 
12. Can capably operate a variety of office equipment, such as computer, photocopier, printer, etc. 
13. Able to travel up to 40% of work year and has a valid driver’s license 

TO APPLY 
Email résumé, cover letter, writing sample (no more than 10 pages, policy-related preferred), six references, and salary history to Sarah Hopper at shopper@nicwa.org, fax to (503) 222-4007, or mail to NICWA, 5100 SW Macadam Ave, #300, Portland, OR 97239. Open until October 16, 2015.