Juli Skinner Is the current Senior Director for Cherokee Nation’s Behavioral Health Services and has 24 years of experience working with the Cherokee Nation including previous experience in Cherokee Nation Child Welfare. During that time, Juli has worked in multiple capacities, including as a supervisor, and provided input on programs, policies and infrastructure processes to assist families when Indian Child Welfare was involved which included the development of new units and services to assist Cherokee children in care around the country. These additional units promoted tribal advocacy and compliance with the Indian Child Welfare Act ensuring safety and cultural consideration for Cherokee children in custody. That career path and passion for helping tribal children expanded and led to the development of Pediatric Behavioral Health services at Cherokee Nation during the completion of her Masters in Social Work through the University of Oklahoma. Throughout her career she has received multiple honors for commitment to Service, Advocacy, Social Work, and Youth Services. Juli holds several professional memberships and been privileged to have multiple research papers and studies published during her time as the Senior Director, which include topics like Risk Factors, Intervention, and Prevention for substance use in adults and youth in and around the Cherokee Nation Reservation. “My career path has followed my own personal dedication to the wellbeing, safety, and consideration of tribal children, and is a testament to the commitment I share for the Cherokee Nation tribe and the expansion of behavioral health services for each of the members.”