Kathleen Deserly

• Provide tribal and ICWA-focused child welfare program development, training and technical assistance services to American Indian tribes, urban Indian organizations, state, county, and private child welfare agencies.

• In collaboration with University of Denver’s cooperative agreement with federal Children’s Bureau, provided capacity building technical assistance to American Indian and Alaska Native Nation child welfare systems throughout the country, working with Tribes to help strengthen their systems and improve outcomes for American Indian and Native children, youth, and families.
• Developed innovative solutions to complex problems through creative problem-solving techniques and cross-functional collaboration.

In collaboration with University of Denver’s cooperative agreement with federal Children’s Bureau, provided capacity building technical assistance to American Indian and Alaska Native Nation child welfare systems throughout country, working with Tribes to help strengthen their systems and improve outcomes for American Indian and Native children, youth, and families

• Assumed leadership of Center in continuing to provide direction of Center, collaborate with federal partners, tribal nations, and members of Children’s Bureau T/TA Network throughout completion of five-year project.

• Under a cooperative agreement with HHS Children’s Bureau, the NRC4Tribes served as a member of the Children’s Bureau Child Welfare Training and Technical Assistance Network (T/TA Network) which was designed to improve child welfare systems and to support States and Tribes in achieving sustainable, systemic change that results in greater safety, permanency, and well-being for children, youth, and families.
• Assisted senior leadership in managing all aspects of operations.

• Provided training and technical assistance to tribal communities for National Indian Child Welfare Association throughout U.S
• Researched and trained tribal communities in all phases of child welfare program development, including federal funding legislation: Title IV-E, IV-B topics, ASFA, ICWA.

• Liaison between DPHHS and Montana tribes on ICWA compliance and child welfare program services; facilitated negotiations of IV-E foster care contracts with all Montana tribes.
• Enhanced public awareness of child welfare issues through community presentations and participation in local events promoting child safety and wellbeing.
• Contributed to improved inter-agency collaboration by participating in joint meetings, trainings, and initiatives focused on enhancing child welfare practice.

• Provided on-site training and technical assistance to tribes throughout the U.S on issues related to tribal child welfare program development.
• Collaborated with cross-functional teams to develop comprehensive solutions for clients'' technical needs.
• Delivered personalized support tailored to each client''s unique environment and requirements.
• Prepared technical presentations and other materials for advisory meetings.

• Assisted in program planning and development first Native foster family and adoption agency in California; collaboration with local tribes, urban Indian population and service agencies, county departments of social services and county court systems.
• Worked closely with management to provide effective leadership for specific aspects of program operations.