COURT IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM - ICWA TASKFORCE

Building Collaboration. Strengthening Courts. Supporting ICWA Compliance.

The Court Improvement Program (CIP)–ICWA Task Force was established to foster meaningful and ongoing collaboration among courts, child welfare agencies, and Tribal partners and to strengthen the implementation of the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) throughout Oklahoma.

The Task Force brings together multidisciplinary partners to identify challenges, share expertise, review data and court practices, and develop collaborative solutions that improve outcomes for Indian children and families.

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A Multidisciplinary Approach

The CIP Task Force is organized into five multidisciplinary workgroups:

1. Performance Measures and Improving Court Data

2. Educational Stability and Well-Being

3. Due Process

4. ICWA Compliance

5. Creating an Equitable Child Welfare Court System

Each workgroup meets independently and reports its progress and recommendations to the full CIP Task Force during quarterly meetings. This structure allows partners to focus on specific areas of improvement while maintaining a shared statewide vision.

A central responsibility of the CIP–ICWA Task Force is to work collaboratively with Tribal partners and agencies to promote ICWA compliance in Oklahoma courts. This includes joint projects, case reviews, training, data-informed discussions, and efforts to strengthen judicial knowledge and competency regarding ICWA policies and practices.

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History of Collaboration and Impact

Over the years, the CIP–ICWA Task Force has supported a number of initiatives designed to strengthen ICWA implementation and judicial practice, including:

• Development of an ICWA Bench Guide

• Development of FAQs for Judges

• Training recommendations and input for the CIP Conference and Judicial Conference

• An art contest to support the revision of the ICWA Bench Guide

• A Judicial Roundtable to facilitate discussion and information sharing

• Updates and collaboration related to the Governor's Child Abuse Task Force

• Continued discussion and education regarding Brackeen v. Haaland and its implications for ICWA

• Development and continuation of joint projects supported through the ICWA Partnership Grant

These projects reflect an ongoing commitment to collaboration between the courts, Tribal nations, child welfare partners, and organizations dedicated to improving outcomes for children and families.

 

ICWA Task Force Co-Chairs

The CIP–ICWA Task Force is jointly supported by court and Tribal partners. Co-Chairs help provide leadership, coordination, and continuity for the Task Force's work.

Current leadership includes:

• Tim Scott, CIP Juvenile Court Project Specialist I tim.scott@oscn.net

• Kace Rodwell, Attorney, Tribal Representative — Co-Chair I krodwell@laic-law.com

• Jerod Applegate, Osage Nation, Tribal Representative — Co-Chair I jerod.applegate@osagenation-nsn.gov