Summer Opportunities for Learning with NICWA

Empowering Native Communities Through Culturally Grounded Training

Photo courtesy of NICWA

Join NICWA in Portland, Oregon, for our June Training Institute, featuring a class on Working with Substance-Abusing Families and Positive Indian Parenting (PIP). Working with Substance-Abusing Families empowers professionals with the knowledge of addiction and recovery; this class features in-depth details on substances and case work, working through the processes individuals and families go through in and outside wraparound services.

PIP offers culturally relevant, strengths-based parenting techniques tailored to Native communities. Applying timeless lessons to modern parenting challenges, PIP helps guide Native families to preserve traditions and empower future generations. NICWA will host a PIP cohort in June at our Portland Training Institute from June 9–11, 2026.

Not able to make it in June? Join us in July for a virtual PIP cohort that covers the same content from the convenience of your home. Virtual trainings offer the opportunity to bring your community into the virtual space and work alongside fellow individuals from across Indian country. The early bird deadline for our July training is May 26, 2026, so register before then to save $100 on registration!

If you're looking for something a little more brief, our one-day Foundations of Tribal Child Welfare Casework Practice training is designed for individuals working throughout the Tribal child welfare system. Newer advocates in this field will become familiar with the basic elements of these practices, while experienced workers can consider this a refresher and opportunity to stay up to date on best practices. Join us online in August for a one-day Foundations course.

If you're ready to dive deeper with a three-day class on Foundations, we will be hosting an in-person training in Portland, Oregon, from September 29–October 1, alongside another chance to join a PIP cohort. Join us for either training to garner as much knowledge as possible and meet other child welfare workers across Native communities.

We are excited to see you at our trainings during what is sure to be a busy, informative summer of learning, networking, and being in community to continue doing the heartfelt work of serving Native children and families.