Indian Child Welfare – Family Advocacy

Indian Child Welfare Act Program (“ICWA”)

The ICWA program office is part of Pueblo de San Ildefonso’s Health and Human Services Department. The program manages the Pueblo’s child welfare system including working toward protecting the children of the Pueblo from child abuse, neglect, and the separation of families through collaborative work with families. The ICWA program office shall provide a central contact point for families seeking assistance in temporary and permanent placement of children.

“ICWA” stands for the Indian Child Welfare Act, which is a federal law that was passed in 1978. ICWA was passed in response to the alarmingly high number of Indian children being removed from their homes by both public and private agencies.

The intent of Congress under ICWA was to “protect the best interests of Indian children and to promote the stability and security of Indian tribes and families” (25 U.S.C. 1902). ICWA sets federal requirements that apply to state child custody proceedings involving an Indian child who is a member of or eligible for membership in a federally recognized tribe.

Child and Adult Protection
We provide social services to improve the quality of life for eligible American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) and their families that live on or near Pueblo de San Ildefonso Reservation and protect the children, elderly and vulnerable from abuse and neglect.
These services include, but are not limited to: assistance in solving problems related to family functioning and interpersonal relationships; referral to the appropriate resources for problems related to illness, physical or mental illness, substance use/misuse, other behavioral or substance dependency, and violation of the law; and protective services.

What is the purpose of San Ildefonso’s ICWA Program?

• To review and assess community needs for ICWA services.
• To provide referrals and resources for counseling, domestic violence, drug and alcohol abuse, parenting classes, educational services, anger management, court advocacy, and many other services.
• To provide traditional methods of addressing needs of families of the San Ildefonso Pueblo.

Who is eligible for services through ICWA?

• Must be an enrolled tribal member of the San Ildefonso Pueblo who resides within the pueblos boundaries.
• Can be any San Ildefonso Pueblo family seeking support and/or referrals for community programs.
• Can be any San Ildefonso Pueblo tribal member who needs help navigating the juvenile court or educational system.

Services Provided through the ICWA Program:

• Case Management
• Family Assistance
• Court Liaison
• Mediation
• Educational Liaison
• Community Referrals
• Crisis Intervention
• Services are always CONFIDENTIAL

The following trainings are available to the Pueblo de San Ildefonso residents

Adult Mental Health First Aid Training

Mental Health First Aid is an 8-hour course that teaches you how to help someone who is developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis. The training helps you identify, understand, and respond to signs of addictions and mental illnesses. The course trains participants to help people who may be experiencing a mental health problem or crisis. You learn:

• Risk factors and warning signs of mental health problems.
  Information on depression, anxiety, trauma, psychosis, and addiction disorders.
• A 5-step action plan to help someone developing a mental health problem or in crisis.
• Where to turn for help — professional, peer, and self-help resources.

Teen Mental Health First Aid
Youth Mental Health First Aid is designed to teach parents, family members, caregivers, teachers, school staff, peers, neighbors, health and human services workers, and other caring citizens how to help an adolescent (age 12-18) who is experiencing a mental health or addictions challenge or is in crisis. Youth Mental Health First Aid is primarily designed for adults who regularly interact with young people. The course introduces common mental health challenges for youth, reviews typical adolescent development, and teaches a 5-step action plan for how to help young people in both crisis and non-crisis situations. Topics covered include anxiety, depression, substance use, disorders in which psychosis may occur, disruptive behavior disorders (including AD/HD), and eating disorders.

Circle of Security Parenting Training
Please contact us if you would like more information or attend training.

Reporting Abuse or Neglect
BIA, Northern Pueblos Agency Social Services
(505) 753-1435

CYFD’s Statewide Central Intake
(855) 333-SAFE [7233] or #SAFE from a cell phone

Adult Protective Services Statewide Intake
(866) 654-3219

Our Partners