Tribal STAR is a training and technical assistance program of the Academy for Professional Excellence, SDSU School of Social Work that focuses on building collaborations that improve outcomes for American Indian/Alaska Native children in child welfare.  “STAR” is an acronym for Successful Transitions for Adult Readiness, honoring the original program from which Tribal STAR evolved in 2003.

Tribal STAR provides training to child welfare social workers, court personnel, attorneys, judges, tribes, Indian services agencies, and ICWA advocates. Its team provides 15 training days to 5 southern counties of California (San Diego, Riverside, Orange, San Bernardino, and Imperial), working with leadership and community to identify training priorities. Additionally, it hosts educational forums to elevate social work practice, an annual Judges’ Dinner for state and tribal court judges (in collaboration with Casey Family Programs), and an annual Celebration (where it honors regional improvements).

Tribal STAR has a community advisory workgroup (Seventh Generation Workgroup) and a judicial advisory board (state and tribal court judges) that guide its local, state, and national efforts. It works with state agencies: the California Department of Social Services, California Social Work Education Center (CalSWEC), and the Judicial Council), and promotes national efforts to improve outcomes for Indian children and families. It is an official partner of the National Capacity Building Resource Center for Tribes (Children’s Bureau), and collaborates with the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges.