Back to School: Understanding the Challenges

Our At-Risk Children and Families Face

Thursday, November 19, 2020

11:30 a.m. PT / 2:30 p.m. ET

Webinar Description:

The pandemic has created additional challenges for many school-aged American Indian and Alaska Native children and their families, especially those at risk of child abuse and neglect. Hardships such as social isolation, unemployment, reduced access to support services, and adjustments to a hybrid or virtual school environment have increased stress in many families already challenged before the pandemic.

In this webinar, presenters from the National Indian Education Association (NIEA) and the National Indian Child Welfare Association (NICWA) will provide information on the increased stressors for at-risk families. We will discuss how COVID-19 interacts with risk factors for child abuse and neglect, protective factors and other resources to help reduce risk during a pandemic, and examples of promising practices that schools and child welfare agencies are using.

Panelists:

Diana Cournoyer (Oglala Sioux Tribe), Executive Director, NIEA

David Simmons, Government Affairs and Advocacy Director, NICWA