Social Service

Social Service administers the BIA-638 contract: general assistance, child welfare assistance, supervised IIM accounts, family & community services, adult protective services, and child protection.

Indian Child Welfare (ICW)
The Iowa Tribe ICW provides services in child welfare to families and children that are enrolled tribal members of the Iowa tribe who are involved in tribal court or state courts in Oklahoma. Services include Preventive Casework & Intervention, Treatment & Reunification casework, Foster care: recruitment, licensure, casework, Adoption & Permanent Placement, Advocacy & Monitoring court cases in tribal/state system, and Counseling/Referral Services.

The Iowa Tribe has a contract with the Potawatomi Child Protective Service to investigate child abuse and neglect referrals. The Iowa tribe will assist the surrounding county child protective services. The goals of the Iowa Tribe ICW are Family Oriented Preventive Social Services, Reunification Services and Court Assistance, Permanent Placement and Adoption Services, and Protection and Preservation of Indian Culture.

Child Care Development Block Grants
This program is avialable to assist with childcare needs while you are working or attending school. To be eligible one must reside in Eastern Logan, Payne, and Lincoln, and Northwestern Oklahoma counties. If eligible, the Iowa Tribe will co-pay your share, as designated by the Department of Human Services for the county that you reside in. The Childcare Grant is funded by the Administration for Children and Families to provide quality and affordable child care for Indian Families.

Family Preservation and Support
This program is funded through the State of Oklahoma and operated by the Iowa Tribe, through the Department of Human Services of the Tribe. The service area includes Lincoln, Payne, Eastern Logan, and Northwestern Oklahoma counties. The two goals of the program are 1. provide coping skills to parents utilizing education, cultural, and providing financial assistance to Indian families in need of immediate household assistance and 2. provide assistance with other partners through networking and link services vital to family systems, including: employment, social services, education, youth activities, substance abuse, domestic violence, teen pregnancy, school drop out, and health care.

Substance Abuse Program
The Iowa Tribe Substance Abuse Services offers assistance to individuals and families who are dealing with living problems related to substance abuse by one or more family members. We offer education and counseling for individual and groups, as well as, facilitating twelve step programs. The goal of our program is to assist the individual in adopting and maintaining a chemical free lifestyle and become a productive member of the family and community. Some of the services offered are: Individual and Group counseling, referrals to residential treatment, offer access to Sweat Lodge ceremonies, Case management services, aftercare services, transportation to needed services, assessments, and court ordered referrals.

Bernice Armstrong, Director of Social Services
Email: bnarmstrong@iowanation.org