ICWA Tribal Dependency Attorney Curriculum

Description

The Judicial Council of California (“JCC”) is the chief policy making agency of the California judicial system. The California Constitution directs the JCC to improve the administration of justice by surveying judicial business, recommending improvements to the courts, and making recommendations annually to the Governor and the Legislature. The JCC also adopts rules for court administration, practice, and procedure, and performs other functions prescribed by law. The JCC’s Court Operations and Services Division, Center for Families, Children & the Courts (“CFCC”) supports programs in court settings that improve practice and services for children, youth, parents, families, and other court users.

This request seeks a proposal to develop an “ICWA Tribal Dependency Attorney Curriculum”. This project involves adapting an existing model multi-disciplinary curriculum for attorneys representing children and parents in the juvenile dependency system, to include attorneys representing tribes in cases governed by the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) and issues related to ICWA. Skills to be addressed include evaluating a case plan to determine whether it meets the standards of active efforts; direct and cross examination of a social worker regarding case planning, delivery of active efforts, tribal engagement and collaboration and efforts to meet the ICWA placement preferences, evaluation of a qualified expert witness report and direct and cross examination of a qualified expert witness. Case file materials to be developed include sample delivered services logs, case plans, court reports and qualified expert witness reports. Final work product will include an instructor guide for the trial skills trainers including ICWA and California specific law and legal standards.

Questions regarding this RFP should be directed to solicitations@jud.ca.gov and must be received no later than March 31, 2023, close of business. Electronic copy proposals must be emailed to solicitations@jud.ca.gov. RESPONSES DUE: April 7, 2023, close of business. The IFP Attachments are: