Specifications include, but are not limited to: Responsibilities and Tasks With the Maryland Commission on Indian Affairs (MCIA), plan, coordinate, and document process for a meeting with American Indian community stakeholders and the Secretary of Human Services (Two weeks after Contract start date): Coordinate and plan one meeting between American Indian community stakeholders and leadership, the Secretary of DHS, and other relevant stakeholders. Facilitate discussions to establish relationships, discuss community needs, and seek counsel for updating the plan for updating Maryland’s ICWA Policy. Document meeting outcomes and recommendations for updating the ICWA Policy. Listening Sessions with Federally Recognized Tribes and Social Services Administration leadership (1 - 2 remote; Summer 2024) Outreach, plan, organize, and document process for a listening session with federally recognized tribes most impacted by Maryland child welfare, as identified by Maryland family and child welfare data. Facilitate discussions to document the learning and needs of federally recognized tribes regarding identifying ICWA-eligible children, ICWA notice requirements, and tribal participation in state ICWA cases. Produce a comprehensive report documenting key insights, challenges, and recommendations from the listening session. Engagement and training of LDSS Executive and management staff (at least 2 remote or in-person) Facilitate information sharing and provide training at Executive Director and Associate Director levels related to on-going relationships with tribal governments and communities as well as identification of gaps in current ICWA policy/practice. Provide a Detailed Summary Report identifying existing baseline ICWA competencies among state staff involved in child welfare and training and resource sharing to increase and build upon such competencies. Listening Sessions with Maryland American Indian and indigenous communities and Local Department of Social Services (LDSS) Offices (at least 3: one urban/Baltimore, two regionals; remote and in-person; Fall 2024): Prior to the listening session, provide LDSS staff at listening session sites training on cross-cultural communication, Indian Child Welfare Act, and Maryland’s indigenous communities. Outreach, plan, coordinate, and document process for listening sessions with Maryland American Indian and indigenous communities in collaboration with LDSS offices. Produce detailed reports for each listening session, including additional training needs and recommendations for collaboration between LDSS and Maryland American Indian and indigenous communities. Provide a Detailed Report defining scope for development of updated ICWA policy and objectives for development of training curricula covering effective ICWA implementation.