This specialized session provides the background and rationale for specialized child welfare policy and practice in working with Native American children. A historical look at how Native American communities have been treated including child removal and how child welfare practice in Native American communities is provided as well as a discussion of historical trauma; leading to an overview of the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA). This training is co-trained with a member of Maine's Tribal Community with experience in the Tribal Child Welfare system and partnering with OCFS staff which lends expertise and first-hand perspective in working with this population. Also discussed is OCFS policy and how Tribal Child Welfare and OCFS partner on ICWA cases