USM institute gets $21M, largest grant in its history, to improve Tribal child welfare services

Photo / Courtesy University of Southern Maine The Catherine Cutler Institute at the University of Southern Maine received a $21 million grant, the largest in its history, to improve Tribal child welfare services.

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By Laurie Schreiber

The Catherine Cutler Institute at the University of Southern Maine received a $21 million grant, the largest in its history, to improve Tribal child welfare services.

The five-year award came from the Children's Bureau of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration on Children, Youth, and Families.

The funding will establish the National Tribal Child Welfare Center for Innovation and Advancement, dedicated to fostering systemic, sustainable improvements in Tribal child welfare services across Indian Country, according to a news release.

"This transformative grant reflects our commitment to advancing Tribal sovereignty and creating meaningful change in Tribal child welfare systems," said Sarah Nelson, a co-project director and co-principal investigator at the institute and part of the Sault Tribe of Chippewa.

Goals

Assist Tribes in achieving sustainable, systemic change that results in greater safety
Permanency and well-being for American Indian and Alaska Native children, youth and families
Improve the experiences of children, youth and families when contact with the child welfare system is necessary
Deliver effective, high-quality technical assistance to Tribal child welfare agencies that is aligned with Tribal customs, traditions and beliefs.

Focus areas

Providing technical assistance individualized to each Tribal program’s needs
Hosting peer services and offering training opportunities for Tribal child welfare professionals through peer networking that offer opportunities to build relationships and share knowledge.
Developing and disseminating vital, innovative and accessible resources for Tribal child welfare professionals.
Developing evidence-based standards of care.

The center said it will collaborate with partner organizations that include North Bethesda, Md., business management consultant JBS International; the National Native Children’s Trauma Center at the University of Montana; Alaska-based federal support services firm Three Star Government Solutions; the Kathryn M. Buder Center for American Indian Studies at Washington University in St. Louis; and Washington, D.C., business management consultant L&M Policy Research.

The $21 million project will span five years through Sept. 30, 2029. The funding includes $4.7 million allocated for the first year.

The Catherine Cutler Institute collaborates with partners through collaborative research, technical assistance and community engagement, to find sustainable practical solutions to societal issues. Its focus areas include children, youth and families; disability and aging; economic and workforce development; environmental and social resilience; justice policy; and population health and health policy.