Children and Family Services Administration
The mission of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Children and Family Services Administration (CFSA) is to fulfill the social responsibilities and obligations of the Tribe. CFSA programs are designed to preserve, protect, and strengthen the children and families of the Tribe. CFSA programs strive to empower individuals and families, cultivate nurturing home environments, and educate individuals, families, and communities. CFSA promotes culture awareness and identification and preserves the integrity of the family unit for the purpose of creating an environment which allows maximum opportunity for positive development.
Manager – Dawn Yahola
Email:
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Telephone Number – 918-732-7869
Toll Free – 800-482-1979 ext. 7869
Fax Number – 918-732-7855
CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES ADMINISTRATION PROGRAMS
INDIAN CHILD WELFARE
ICW COORDINATOR: Steve Wahnee
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The Indian Child Welfare Program provides services to abused and neglected Muscogee (Creek) Children.
Child Protective Services (CPS):
Reports of abuse and neglect are received by Intake Specialists and investigated by Child Protection Workers. CPS conducts joint investigations with the Department of Human Services (DHS) when a report involving a Muscogee (Creek) child is received by DHS and CPS is notified.
Child Treatment Services:
Tribal Child Treatment Services Workers provide services to families whose children have been removed from their home due to abuse or neglect. Services are designed to help children return to their homes. State Child Treatment Workers monitor child welfare cases in state court systems throughout Oklahoma and the United States to ensure compliance with the Indian Child Welfare Act.
Foster Care Program:
Child Placement Specialists recruit and certify Indian homes to serve as Foster Care Placements for children removed from their homes due to abuse or neglect.
Adoption Program:
Child Placement Specialists recruit and certify Indian homes to serve as adoptive placements for the children of parents whose rights have been terminated by tribal or state court.
PROMOTING SAFE & STABLE FAMILIES
Safe & Stable Families Coordinator: Teresa Jones
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The Promoting Safe & Stable Families Program provides family preservation and support services designed to accomplish the following:
• Protect children from harm
• Help children at risk of foster care placement remain safely with their families
• Help families at risk or in crisis
The program receives referrals from Indian Child Welfare, the Department of Human Services, and other social service agencies and voluntary request for services.
Family Service Workers conduct in home family assessments and develop service plans to increase the stability of families.
Services provided include:
• Budgeting Education
• Parenting Skills
• Health and Nutrition Education
• Resource and Referral Information and limited transportation to resources
• Limited financial assistance
Participants in this program will be placed on a voluntary service plan for a period ranging from 60 to 180 days depending on their needs. Family Preservation Caseworkers will conduct regular home visits to monitor the participants progress to ensure families are receiving needed services.
GRANTS TO INDIAN TRIBAL GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS
Coordinator/Victim Advocate: Tania Bardin
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Services Provided
Must be Intimate Partner Abuse
• 24 Hour crisis Intervention
• Assistance locating emergency shelter
• Court advocacy (filing of protection orders)
• Emergency transportation
• Safety Plans
• Referral to other services
• One-time emergency limited financial assistance (available December 1, 2008)
• Assistance with attorney fees (filing for divorce or custody issues December 1, 2008)
Family Violence Prevention Program
Coordinator: Lila Binning
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Services Provided
• Parenting education
• Transitional Living program
• Limited assistance with clothing and food
• Budgeting
• Transportation
• Group counseling and Individual Counseling for victims of domestic violence
• Must be willing to work a service plan to qualify for assistance
Domestic Violence Is:
Physically or emotionally harmful acts between husbands and wives or between other individuals in intimate relationships. It includes violence that occurs in dating and courtship relationships, between former spouses, and between gay and lesbian partners.
Abuse between intimate partners can take many forms. It may include emotion or verbal abuse, denial of access to resources or money, restraint of normal activities or freedom (including isolation from friends and family), sexual coercion or assault, threats to kill or to harm, physical intimidation or attacks. In extreme cases, domestic violence may result in the death of a partner.
Eligibility Requirements
• Must be an enrolled member of a federally recognized tribe (citizenship or CDIB card required)
• Must complete an intake and assessments to determine eligibility for admission into programs
• Must reside within the jurisdictional boundaries of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation
Adult Protective Services
Adult Protection Specialist: Kenny Bumgarner
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The Adult Protective Services Program provides services to the following:
• Tribal elders being abused or neglected by family members or other caretakers
• Incapacitated adults being abused or neglected by family members or other caretakers
• Tribal elders or incapacitated adults unable to meet their own basic needs