At the 2017 Annual Conference for the United States Ombudsman Association, Jill was elected co-chair for the Children and Families Chapter. At the 2017 Annual Conference for the National Indian Child Welfare Association (NICWA), Jill was chosen as the 2017 Member of the Year. This membership award honors and recognizes an individual or organizational member of NICWA who has demonstrated outstanding service, contributions and leadership. Jill is the Ombudsperson for American Indian Families for the State of Minnesota and investigates complaints for non-compliance of the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) and the Minnesota Indian Family Preservation Act (MIFPA), Minnesota Statutes, Rules and DHS Policies that involve child protection cases. The Ombudsperson also collaborates with tribes, agencies, counties, community organizations, courts, schools and other organizations to develop policies, rules and laws to improve outcomes for American Indian Families involved in the child protection system, as well as collaborating on prevention programs. The Ombudsperson is advised and reports to the American Indian Community Specific Board, who are all appointed by the Minnesota Indian Affairs Council.
Posted: November 16, 2017