Tribal Child Advocacy Centers: A Virtual Panel Discussion

When: Jan 4, 2022 10:00 AM Mountain Time (US and Canada) 

Advance registration required, available at the following link: https://umontana.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJAlceqprzorEtAPTD4ElQ51NHrgvAbv0oY7  

Please join us for an interactive discussion about child advocacy centers serving tribal children and families. Hosted by the Native Child Advocacy Resource Center, a training and technical assistance center associated with the National Native Children’s Trauma Center and funded by the U.S. Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, the discussion will feature tribal child advocates reflecting on their work. Topics to be covered include launching child advocacy services in tribal communities, developing relationships with tribal leadership and community members, and facing the inevitable challenges that arise in the work. The panelists will also offer guidance for those who are seeking to develop CACs in tribal communities and for CACs seeking to expand their services to tribal communities. 

Panelists:  

Carol Colmenero (Diné/Mexican) is Director of the Family Advocacy Center of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community in Arizona. Prior to serving in her current role, she worked for the Tribe as a trauma therapist for children and families and as a program manager for child and family services.  

Jade Carela is a Tulalip Tribal Member and Director of her Tribe’s Children’s Advocacy Center and Legacy of Healing, both of which are advocacy centers that serve victims of crime on the Tulalip Indian reservation in Washington. Her 16 years of experience in the field of social work includes a prior role as manager for the Tulalip Children’s Advocacy Center.  

Megan Sherman is Manager of the Southcentral Foundation’s program for American Indian and Alaska Native children within the Alaska CARES Child Advocacy Center in Anchorage. She previously worked with AI/AN children as an Advocate/Forensic Interviewer for the Southcentral Foundation and as a supervisor of tribal CAC services.  

Bobbi Outten, Director at Southcentral Foundation’s Family Wellness Warriors, is Anishinaabe from White Earth Reservation and grew up in Haines, Alaska.   Raised in rural Alaska, Bobbi has a great passion for contributing to the physical, mental, and spiritual wellness of the Alaska Native people.  As a healthcare professional and trainer/facilitator with more than 20-plus years of professional experience, dual Master's in the helping profession, and as the Director of Family Wellness Warriors, Bobbi offers a unique combination of clinical, leadership, instructional/public-speaking experience and Alaska Native healthcare expertise. Bobbi presents on FWW for SCF.