The overall goal of the
Social Services Department is to provide quality social service
programs that are sensitive and responsive to the cultural values of
Indian clients. The services offered will emphasize the promotion of a
healthy lifestyle by helping the client search for wellness, through
prevention/intervention activities and-maintenance techniques to
promote the restoration of family systems.Advocate Programs
The Fond du Lac Advocates provide caring, culturally sensitive
advocacy for victims of domestic abuse, sexual assault, child abuse
and general crime, including the witnesses to crime. The Advocates and
their trained volunteers assist community members to:
- Receive crisis calls
- Report crime to law enforcement
- Obtain Orders for Protection
- Seek and obtain available community resources
- Seek reparations
- Facilitate support groups
The Advocates are available to assist community members in times of
crisis and can advocate for them during court appearances. The police
or sheriffs department will contact the Advocates as needed or
requested by the client.
Child Care Assistance Program
The Child Care Assistance Program provides eligible parents with
financial assistance in order to continue an approved plan in a
productive activity such as employment or education and training.
Limited funds (sliding fee scale) are available for American Indian
people who reside on the Fond" du Lac Reservation and are not eligible
for other child care assistance programs such as MCT, STRIDE, AEOA or
funding through Carlton or St. Louis County Human Services.
Day' Care Licensing
Day Care Licensing is available to qualified applicants living on
the Fond du Lac Reservation. The Fond du Lac Reservation,
Business Committee-has adopted an Ordinance of Standards
and Licensing Procedures that determines applicant eligibility.
Minnesota Rehabilitation Services
A representative of Minnesota Rehabilitation Services (MRS)-is
available at the Min No Aya Win Human Services Center and in Duluth on
a regular basis to provide rehabilitation counseling to eligible
Indian people. Those people with documented physical or mental
disabilities are assisted in the preparation for and the actual
seeking of suitable employment. Appointments can be scheduled by
calling the Human Services Center at 8791227 or the MRS at 723-4622.
Families First
Social Workers provide intensive, short-term, in-home crisis
intervention and family education services in order to preserve Indian
families and avoid children. being placed out of, the home. Staff are
on-call twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week to work with
eligible families. Services include:
- Individual problem-solving skills
- Communication and negotiation skills
- Parenting education
- Child development training
- Homemakers
- Advocacy
- Job-readiness training
- Developing helping relationships with community resources
Involvement is usually no longer than four weeks as families are
expected to become increasingly self-reliant. This program is
offered only in St. Louis County.
Family Services Program
Resolving family problems and keeping families together, according,
to the federal Indian Child Welfare Act, is a major goal for the Fond
du Lac Social Services department. Services offered include:
- Counseling
- Assessment
- Information and referral
- Transportation
- Consultation
- Family problem identification and problem resolution
Fond du Lac Social Workers provide child protection services to
protect the best interests of Indian children. The child protection
staff assists county social workers in serving Indian children who
have been victims of abuse and/or neglect. They also help the Court
understand the unique characteristics of Indian clients so that the
Court can make sound decisions about Indian children. Child protection
services include:
- Crisis intervention
- Case management
- Out-of-home placement supervision
- Referral services
- Assistance in obtaining available resources
Medical Social Services
Medical Social Workers help clients gain access to the numerous
resources available to them. Medical social services to individuals
and/or families include assistance with:
- Obtaining Medical Assistance and services offered by other
county programs
- Discharge planning at local hospitals and nursing homes
- Obtaining medical equipment and/or supplies
- Making arrangements for those in need of special services such
as physical, occupational, or speech therapy
- Social Security and Disability claims
- Advocacy, counseling, information and referral services in major
life crisis; such as death, suicide, divorce, job change, illness,
major surgery, etc.
Min no wii jii win
In 1995 the Fond du Lac Reservation Business Committee purchased a
home on the Reservation and presented it to the Human Services
Division so staff could work with clients in a home-like setting. The
home's name, "Min no wii jii win", means "being together in a good
way." The Advocates' offices are located in this home and they assist
with the coordination of group activities there.
Men and Women Support, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, Aftercare groups;
supervised visitation, and staff/family meetings are held on a regular
basis in this homelike atmosphere.
Off-Reservation Foster Care
The Fond du Lac Off-Reservation Foster Care Licensing & Placement
Agency recruits Indian families residing outside of northern Minnesota
reservation boundaries. The agency assists in the licensing process
and provides support, training, and monitoring to its foster parents.
Contact numbers are (218) 726-5963 or 1-800-336-3571.
On-Reservation Foster Care
The Fond du Lac On-Reservation Foster Care Licensing Program
recruits Indian families residing within the Fond du Lac Reservation
boundaries. The agency assists in the licensing process and provides
support, training, and monitoring to its foster parents. Contact
numbers are (218) 879-1227 or 1-888-888-6007 (within Minnesota only).
Veteran's Center
A representative is available on a regular basis at the Min No Aya
Win Human Services Center and at the CAIR office to provide services
to Indian veterans who were on active duty from 1964 to 1975. All
counseling sessions are held in the strictest confidence and fulfill
many needs that veterans may encounter in their readjustment to
civilian life. For an appointment call 722-8654.
Walks Tall
A counselor is available for individuals recently released from
prison to assist in making the transition back into the community.
Transition is made with the use of cultural activities, ceremonies,
education and assistance in pursuing_ employment opportunities.
Women and Family Services
The Women and Family Services Social Worker works ' with American
Indian children in the juvenile corrections system and their families.
The social worker facilitates weekly support group meetings in Duluth.
In addition, the social worker will help women who are released from
the Women's Offender Program make the transition back to the
community.
Wrap Around Services for Adolescent Youth and their Families
This program, new in 1998, expands the Families First Program in
Duluth to target youth between the ages of 13 through 17 years and
their families. The Wrap Around Workers carry small caseloads of
clients (5-8 families) in order to provide the intensive social
services some families need. Referrals are accepted from multiple
sources such as school personnel, human services agencies, parents,
law enforcement and so on. This program is offered in Duluth only.