Adam Becenti, Director of the Office of Tribal Affairs
Oregon Department of Human Services
Adam Becenti became the Director of the Office
of Tribal Affairs for the Oregon Department of Human Services in April 2019. Becenti
is the primary liaison to Oregon’s nine Tribes and oversees the Indian Child
Welfare Act (ICWA) program.
Becenti brings a background in public policy
and outreach, strong relationships with Oregon’s Tribes and a passion for
improving the well-being of Tribal communities. He was raised in New Mexico and
is a member of the Black Streak Wood People Clan, born for the Sleep Rock
People of the Diné Nation.
Becenti previously was with the National
Indian Child Welfare Association where he was a Portland-based community
development specialist. He has served Indian Country in various capacities such
as Cultural Coordinator/Tribal Liaison for a Native American youth treatment
program, and also worked as an admissions counselor for the University of
Colorado.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and
ethnic studies from the University of Colorado at Boulder and a master’s degree
in public policy from the Ford School of Public Policy at the University of
Michigan, Ann Arbor.
Christine Kamps, ICWA Consultant
Oregon Department of Human Services
Christine began her employment with the Oregon Department of Human Services in 2007 in the Indian Child Welfare Unit and worked primarily on ICWA permanency cases. In 2011, she obtained a position in East Child Protective Services as an ICWA liaison, where she developed a leadership project to have one primary ICWA CPS consultant assist the district with ICWA compliance. Currently, as a consultant, Christine assists the Department with ICWA compliance and provides ongoing technical support to Oregon’s nine federally recognized tribes.
Emily Hawkins, ICWA Consultant
Oregon Department of Human Services
Emily began her employment with the Oregon Department of Human Services in 2009 working primarily with permanency cases. In 2011, Emily transitioned into carrying ICWA permanency cases. In 2014, Emily was hired as the Active Efforts Specialist for Marion, Polk and Yamhill Counties. During her time as the Active Efforts Specialist, Emily assisted in writing a new ICWA Search Procedure for the Polk and Yamhill offices, she also assisted in developing and implementing many different procedures to ensure ICWA compliance from CPS assessments through Permanency cases. In her current consultant role, her focus is on providing support assistance to the nine federally recognized tribes of Oregon and maintaining ICWA compliance for Department staff and field structure.