Conference highlights Indian Child Welfare Act

The Native American Training Institute will host the 17th annual North Dakota Indian Child Welfare and Wellness Conference, Feb. 26-28, at the Spirit Lake Casino and Resort in St. Michael.

This year's conference celebrates the 40th anniversary of the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) and the hope, healing and perseverance the federal law has brought to Native American families.

"This year, we are honored to host this conference at Spirit Lake where the national ICWA movement began four decades ago," said Stephanie DeCoteau, director of the Native American Training Institute. "The conference agenda puts a focus on this milestone and provides training and insight on various cultural and tribal relations topics, child welfare issues, and health and wellness strategies to help conference participants in their work with children and families." DeCoteau said the conference is open to social service professionals, counselors, child protection workers, judges, attorneys, juvenile justice and Tribal court personnel, foster parents, educators, behavioral health professionals and others interested in the child welfare system. To date, about 150 people are registered for the conference.

Continuing Education Units are available for licensed social workers. Educational hours are also available for Wraparound Recertification from the North Dakota Department of Human Services.

Preregistration is encouraged, but people can also register at the door. Registration ranges from $80 per day to $225 for the full three-day conference. A student and foster parent rate of $20 per day or $60 for the entire conference is also available. To preregister or for more information on the conference, call the Native American Training Institute at 701-255-6374.

The conference is hosted by the Native American Training Institute in partnership with the North Dakota Department of Human Services' Children and Family Services Division.