Dream the Impossible Native Youth Conference was started in 2007 by several Southern California tribes in partnership with organizations such as the California Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Program and is held at a different university each year. This conference is designed to inspire Native American youth to believe that they can achieve anything they want, introduce them to Native professionals in different fields, and help them understand how higher education can transform their lives. The 2025 conference will take place on April 19, 2025, at the California State University, San Bernardino campus.

The National Indian Child Welfare Association (NICWA) is hosting their annual gathering to discuss American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) child advocacy issues. The conference will take place from March 30 to April 2, 2025, in Orlando, Florida with an option to join the general sessions virtually. NICWA develops and provides programming to attendees, creating a space where participants can learn about the latest developments and best practices from experts in the field and from one another. Participants represent a cross-section of fields and interests including child welfare, mental health, and juvenile justice service providers; legal professionals; students; advocates for children; and tribal, state, and federal leaders. There is a fee for registration.

The National Indian Child Welfare Association is hosting the January 2025 Training Institute in Arizona from January 28 to 30, 2025. The institute has multiple pathways, including Positive Indian Parenting, Understanding the Indian Child Welfare Act, Cross-Cultural Skills in Indian Country, and Tribal Customary Adoption on the land of the Salt River Pima–Maricopa Indian Community. The fee for participation varies for each pathway.

The Department of Labor, Indian and Native American Programs Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) 166/477 Western Regional Training will be hosted in Washington from November 4th to November 8th, 2024. Themed, “Indigenous: Values, Strength, Knowledge.,” this training is designed for both tribes and urban based programs focusing on workforce development for Indian Country.

There is a registration fee to attend this training.

The UC Davis’ Autumn Institute for Public Assistance Professionals will bring together managers, supervisors, and workers from across the country for a virtual educational experience from November 13 to 15, 2024. The theme, “Elevating Our Impact Through Resilience and Purpose,” will elevate new strategies, expand attendees’ thinking, and grow their capacity to serve adults and families in their communities. There is a registration fee for participation.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Office of Family Assistance hosted the National Tribal Technical Assistance Meeting in Sacramento, California on June 4 and 5, 2024. Themed “Indigenized by Design: Centering Culture and Building Connections to Better Serve Families,” this meeting brought together over 140 Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and Federal representatives, subject matter experts, and other stakeholders to share strategies for amplifying Indigenous culture within the context of TANF and Native Employment Works programs while ensuring compliance with federal rules and guidelines to better address the needs of Native families and communities. Over the course of the meeting, participants attended presentations from experts and program administrators, participated in topical table discussions, and facilitated audience-centered conversations.