The Summer Institute in American Indian Child Welfare is an opportunity for Tribal child welfare workers and administrators to spend four days together developing new practice skills, sharing their collective experiences, and learning with Indian Child Welfare professionals and scholars in a Tribal context.

2012 Summer Institute:

When: July 23-26, 2012

Where: Northern Lights Casino & Event Center, Walker, MN*

*A block of hotel rooms has been reserved at Northern Lights. Please ask for the "Summer Institute in Child Welfare" rate when making reservations.

Who: All Tribal Child Welfare Staff and Administrators are invited!

Certificates of attendance will be provided to all attendees.

Please download registration form and mail, fax or email to:
Jackie Heytens, University of Minnesota Duluth Dept. of Social Work, 220 Bohannon, 1207 Ordean Court, Duluth, MN 55812
Fax: 218-726-7025, jheytens@d.umn.edu

A confirmation will be emailed to you upon receipt of the registration form.

For questions, please contact Jackie at phone: 218-726-7854

2011 Summer Institute:

The Center for Regional and Tribal Child Welfare Studies in the UMD Department of Social Work successfully presented the 4th Annual Summer Institute in American Indian Child Welfare in July of 2011.  With support from tribes across northern Minnesota, the Center held a no-cost, four day seminar for tribal child welfare workers, administrators, and students. Over 100 tribal child welfare workers and administrators spent three days at the Northern Lights Hotel and Casino in Walker, Minnesota. In addition, approximately 20 undergraduate and graduate child welfare students attended the Summer Institute from the University of Minnesota Duluth, the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, as well as undergraduate social work programs across Minnesota. Participants were able to learn from American Indian scholars and professionals across the region.  UMD alumni, partners of the Center including: Terry Cross, the Executive Director of the National Indian Child Welfare Association; Minnesota tribal child welfare program administrators; and tribal elders and spiritual leaders shared their expertise throughout the week. The Institute ended with a drum and dance celebration that included youth from the Leech Lake reservation. New to the Summer Institute this year was the addition of the Tribal Child Welfare Directors Summit, consisting of tribal leaders from around the state who gathered to discuss contemporary tribal issues and accomplishments. The Institute was a resounding success.  One of the Summer Institute’s featured speakers, Terry Cross, stated that the Summer Institute “Is one of my favorite events of the year.”  Participants reported 100 percent overall satisfaction with the speakers and presenters, as well as 100 percent agreement that the content was relevant to their practice.

2011 Summary of Evaluations

2011 Video Clips and Powerpoints

Terry Cross, Executive Director, National Indian Child Welfare Association, presenting on Leadership in Indian Child Welfare at the 2010 Summer Institute

2010 Summer Institute:

2009 Summer Institute:

The Center for Regional and Tribal Child Welfare Studies, UMD Department of Social Work, is proud to announce that the second annual Summer Institute in American Indian Child Welfare was held July 20-24, 2009 at Northern Lights Casino & Event Center and was a tremendous success. With support from tribes across northern Minnesota, the Center held a no-cost, week long training opportunity for tribal child welfare workers and administrators to develop new practice skills, share collective experiences and learn from American Indian child welfare professionals and scholars from a tribal perspective. Over 100 tribal child welfare workers and administrators from Minnesota, Wisconsin, South Dakota, Michigan and Canada traveled to the Leech Lake reservation for this important event. UMD Social Work students were able to receive Masters level credit for participating in the Institute. UMD is hopeful that future years will build on the success of this terrific opportunity and help create a child welfare system that is responsive to the needs and strengths of American Indian families

2009 Summary of Evaluations

2009 Schedule

2009 Session Descriptions

2008 Summer Institute Resources:

2008 Presentation Video Clips

Clips can be viewed using QuickTime. To download QuickTime go to http://www.apple.com/downloads/

Please note that the presenters during the 2008 Summer Institute did not use microphones. As a result the volume level on some videos was low and your computer speakers may have to be adjusted accordingly.

If you are interested in viewing or obtaining a copy of the full length DVDs of any 2008 Summer Institute presentations please contact Jackie Heytens at jheytens@d.umn.edu or 218-726-7854.

Creating an Emotionally Healthy Work Environment with Terry Cross

Summary: Working in an emotionally and spiritually healthy work environment is important for everyone, but especially for those involved in the difficult work of tribal child welfare practice. Presenter Terry Cross of the National Indian Child Welfare Association spoke about ways supervisors and managers can create and maintain an open and supportive workplace.

Courtroom Skills with Paul Day, Carol DeVerney and Judge Anita Fineday

Summary: Building on the content from the Pre-Court session, this session focused on the background tribal social workers must have for working in both Tribal and State District Courts. Through case studies, this presentation covered differences between the two types of courts, expectations of the social worker in child welfare court, and practical skills such as writing good court reports and providing testimony.

Indigenous Child Welfare Practice Models with Larry Jourdain

Summary: Participants in this session had the opportunity to explore various Native child welfare practice models being used throughout the United States and Canada. These tribally-developed paradigms take in to account traditional tribal culture in planning and delivering child welfare services to children and families.

2008 Summary of Evaluations

2008 Schedule

2008 Session Descriptions