News/Events | Butler Institute For Families

News & Events

News Release:
Graduate School of Social Work at the University of Denver Houses National Child Welfare Capacity Building Center for Tribes

DENVER— The Erna and Brad Butler Institute for Families at the University of Denver’s Graduate School of Social Work is home to the new National Child Welfare Capacity Building Center for Tribes, which began operation this month.

The Center will provide capacity building technical assistance to American Indian and Alaska Native Nation child welfare systems throughout the country, working cooperatively with Tribal Nations to help strengthen their systems and improve outcomes for American Indian and Native children, youth and families. Funding for the Center is provided by a five-year, 16-million dollar federal cooperative agreement from the Administration of Children and Families Children’s Bureau, awarded to the Butler Institute. Butler will co-lead the effort with program partner, the Tribal Law & Policy Institute, based in Los Angeles, California. Other program partners include the University of Southern Maine and Westat, a national corporation that provides research services to government agencies, businesses and foundations. A national advisory council, comprised of representatives from a number of Native organizations, as well as individuals with strong experience in tribal human services, will provide guidance for the Center’s technical assistance services.

“Our team is thrilled with this opportunity to build on our past experiences and partnerships in Indian Country and continue to engage in this important and meaningful work,” says Anne Comstock, Butler Institute director. Comstock and Kathy Deserly of the Tribal Law & Policy Institute will share the role of Center co-directors. Founded in 1994, Butler collaborates with leaders, policy makers and legislators to address issues facing children, youth and families, in an effort to improve the quality of public human services programs across the United States.