Free Technical Assistance to Tribes on Conducting Criminal Background Checks

CILS is offering free technical assistance to tribes interested in or conducting criminal background checks on prospective families who want to become a tribally licensed home for tribal member children being placed outside their home by County Protective Services (CPS). CILS can provide information and guidance on:

 Completing the California Department of Justice (DOJ) forms to access Criminal Offender Record Information;
 Conducting Child Abuse Central Index checks;
 Accessing list of “non-exemptible” crimes that require denying an application for placement;
 When and how a tribe may exempt crimes that are not “non-exemptible”;
 Provide a sample resolution to submit with the tribe’s DOJ applications;
 Sample Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), the tribe, may consider in working with its local CPS;
 Policies the tribe should consider in operating its criminal background check program.

Please submit your questions to TribalCriminalBackgroundcheck@calindian.org.

This service is being provided through funding from the California Department of Social Services.

Free Walk-in Domestic Violence Legal Clinic at InterTribal Court

Domestic Violence Legal Clinic

CILS is offering a free walk-in legal clinic from 10:30 am – 2:30 pm this Wednesday, May 10th at the InterTribal Court on the Rincon Indian Reservation. This clinic is staffed by a Legal Advocate and Attorney who will assist victims/survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking and sex trafficking. Services can include helping with safety planning and crisis intervention; assistance with filling out Restraining Orders; Restraining Order Hearing preparation; and other legal consultations relating to victimization.

The walk-in clinic will operate on a first come, first served basis. There are no income guidelines for assistance. The Legal Advocate and Attorney are very experienced in these areas of law and they will provide trauma victims with informed, confidential, and culturally appropriate services.