Specialized consulting, grant writing, and professional resources for tribal child welfare programs, tribal courts, and tribal governments — grounded in sovereignty, ICWA, and Charlene Naulty's deep federal program expertise.
CHARLENE NAULTY · BLUE HERON CONSULTING
Blue Heron Consulting, founded by Charlene Naulty, is built on a straightforward premise: tribal governments deserve access to specialized expertise in federal child welfare programs — not generalist consultants who happen to know a little about ICWA.
She works exclusively in the space where federal child welfare law meets tribal sovereignty. That means Title IV-B and IV-E, ICWA compliance, tribal court capacity, the Family First Prevention Services Act, tribal code development, and the complex federal-tribal funding relationships that determine whether tribal programs can actually serve their communities.
Her clients include tribal social services programs, tribal courts, tribal councils, and tribal child advocacy centers across the country. She writes grants, develops programs, drafts codes, builds court capacity, and provides the kind of ongoing technical guidance that keeps programs compliant and funded.
Charlene Naulty is a proud U.S. military veteran. That experience — discipline, mission focus, and a commitment to service — is foundational to how she approaches this work and how she shows up for the tribal communities she serves.
Work with Charlene Naulty →Federal child welfare programs were written for states. Tribes navigate a system built around state courts, state agencies, and state data infrastructure — none of which reflect the reality of tribal sovereignty. Getting it right requires someone who knows both worlds.
Charlene Naulty is a tribal child welfare specialist with experience spanning grant writing, tribal court development, ICWA compliance, code drafting, and CAC program development for federally recognized tribes nationwide.
★ U.S. Military Veteran · Veteran-Owned Business
I don't advise from the outside. Here's what's on my desk today.
Acting Social Services Director
Since April 2026, I've led MIC's Social Services Department through a leadership transition: supervising staff, guiding casework, court hearings, and safety assessments, and mentoring the incoming Social Services Director. I also support MIC's Title IV-E work and grant development.
Core Team Member
Developing a culturally adapted Alaska Native Family Group Conferencing model, grounded in family group decision-making principles and the Indigenous Connectedness Framework, with tribal partners, Alaska OCS, the Court Improvement Program, Casey Family Programs, and the Kempe Center.
Southern Connecticut State University
My fellowship project, Rooting for You, tackles urban food insecurity by teaching low-budget container gardening. It's now a year-round training program with Upon This Rock Church in New Haven.
Project-based and retainer engagements for tribal governments, social services programs, courts, and councils.
Full-service grant writing for tribal IV-B, IV-E, CAPTA, VAWA, FVPSA, BIA Social Services, and other tribal-specific funding streams. Narrative development, budget construction, compliance review, and submission support.
Building tribal court capacity for child welfare proceedings — judicial training, court procedures, ICWA compliance systems, case tracking, permanency hearing processes, and court-court coordination.
Drafting and revising tribal codes governing child welfare, family relations, foster care, adoption, customary adoption, and court procedures. Grounded in tribal law, sovereignty, and ICWA requirements.
CAC program development from the ground up — NCA accreditation guidance, MDT development, protocol drafting, community partnerships, staff training, and ongoing program support.
Strategic program planning, departmental organization, policy development, federal compliance frameworks, and capacity building for tribal councils and administration.
Evaluating existing child welfare programs against federal requirements, identifying gaps, developing corrective action plans, and building program infrastructure for compliance and sustainability.
Every engagement is scoped and priced individually. Tell me about your project and I'll send a written proposal.
No state agency or non-tribal provider can deliver culturally grounded services with the authenticity, trust, and sovereign authority that a tribal government brings. This work is not merely service delivery — it is an exercise of tribal governmental responsibility to protect the next generation.
CHARLENE NAULTY · BLUE HERON CONSULTING
Tell me about your program and what you're working toward — I'll respond within one business day.
Not sure where to start?
Send a message describing your tribe's situation and what you're trying to accomplish. I'll let you know how I can help.