CWS-CARES Public Library

The CDSS Office of Tribal Affairs (OTA) is grounded in meaningful Tribal Consultation and Engagement that elevate and assist in building the capacity of the State, Tribes, and Counties to collaboratively create and sustain an equitable continuum of care for American Indian and Alaska Native children and families.

The Office of Tribal Affairs, as a part of the Office of Equity, guides the California Department of Social Services efforts to help create and facilitate policies, procedures, and programs that serve Tribes, and tribal children and families.

OTA actively contributes to CWS-CARES development by guiding the direction of the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS) Steering Committee. This workgroup consists of tribal representatives collaborating with CWDS and CDSS to improve data quality and ICWA implementation in California. Through these discussions, OTA has helped shape key system updates to be more inclusive and culturally responsive. These efforts ensure CWS-CARES better reflects tribal children and families’ needs and strengthens data collection for improved child welfare outcomes.