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Seminole Nation Social Services Programs

The Seminole Nation of Oklahoma contracted the Social Services Programs effective November 1, 2007. All services are provided in a manner designed to promote personal and family unity and economic and social stability working toward attainment of self sufficiency. The Bureau of Indian Affairs funds the following services offered by our department:

1. General Assistance: is a secondary sources of financial assistance payments to eligible Indian individuals for everyday essentials (ie. Food, shelter, clothing, and Utilities). GA is budgeted according to the number of household members and current living arrangements (whether you own, rent, or receive free shelter).
2. Burial Assistance: is financial assistance made on behalf of an eligible Indian individual in need who meets the criteria to provide minimum burial expenses according to the Bureau Payment Standards.
3. Emergency Assistance: is financial assistance where an individual or family's home and personal possessions are either destroyed or damaged through forces beyond their control.
4. Services to Children, Elderly, & Families include: Child Protective Services and Adult Protective Services. Emphasis placed on case management and community involvement and awareness.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
The Eligibility for assistance or services is based on need. An applicant must meet the following criteria:
Must be an enrolled member of a Federal Recognized Tribe
Not have sufficient resources to meet the essential need items;
Reside in the service area of Seminole County; and
Meet the additional eligibility criteria for each of the specific programs.

PROCESS
An in-depth assessment and interview is conducted between the applicant and the social worker(s).
Upon eligibility being determined, a case plan is made with the applicant and agreed to through the development of an Individual Self-Sufficiency

Additional Programs

Effective October 1, 2010, the Seminole Nation Family Services program merged with the Seminole Nation Social Services program. Services previously offered by the Family Services program include the following:

1. Low Income Home Energy Assistance
2. Indian Community Services Block Grant (ICSBG); and
3. Emergency Tribal Assistance (ETA)

The LIHEAP and ICSBG programs are funded through the Department of Health and Human Services and are contingent year to year determined through an annual application process (award amount is dependent on the Federal Budget); whereas the ETA program is funded through the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma at a rate of $25,000 per quarter (totaling $100,000 per fiscal year).

Seminole Nation Social Services Staff

Velvet Hand - Social Services Director
Norman Franks - Social Services Specialist
Kayla Austin - Social Services Specialist
Melissa Harjo - Intake Specialist
Sarah Anderson - Administrative Assistant

Contact Info

Office Phone: (405) 786-5025
Fax: (405) 367-1288
Office Hours:
Monday - Friday
8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 1498
Wewoka, OK 74884

Location