Dr. Jessica Ulrich's Background and Focus on Indian Child Welfare Act

Dr. Jessica Ulrich, an indigenous social worker from Alaska, shares her background in child welfare and her focus on the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA). She discusses her work in creating the first ICWA unit in Alaska, which aimed to address disproportionality and improve placement options for Alaska Native children. Dr. Ulrich highlights the importance of collaboration with tribes and the need for a deeper understanding of the diverse components and regional dynamics within the state. Despite the ICWA's significance, she acknowledges the continuing challenges of disproportionate representation and the need for further research to understand the underlying dynamics and improve outcomes.