Tribal Services

Services & Programs

The NTC Tribal Services Department provides social services to tribal members and Native individuals living in the Ninilchik tribal boundaries. Staff members provide a safe and confidential environment for those experiencing domestic crises or in need of social outreach. Tribal Services offers two assistance programs for transitional periods of life as well as resources or home child care and parenting. Department representatives also advocate for and intervene in cases where the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) laws apply to the Ninilchik Tribe.

Use the tabs below to navigate between the programs and services our Social Services department provides.

General Assistance

Indian & Child Welfare Act Services

Burial Assistance

Child Care Assistance

It Takes A Village

Burial Assistance

Tribal Services provides burial assistance to the families of deceased Native residents who lived within tribal boundaries. The funding provided covers the cost of a basic funeral service and minimal amenities. Because this program is only for last-case scenarios and not supplementary, it will not cover funds for services that already have been partially paid for by any party or institution, nor will the program reimburse any existing costs paid.

Eligibility

  • Native residents within Ninilchik tribal boundaries
  • Please note that the person’s last residential address determines eligibility regardless of tribal affiliation or membership

Click below for NTC office and business locations, hours, and contact information.

Child Care Assistance Program

Tribal Services provides Child Care Assistance to eligible Alaska Native/American Indian families who reside within our Tribal boundaries. Families will need to choose a provider who will meet all Health and Safety requirements and pass a comprehensive criminal background check.

Eligibility:

  • Alaska Native/American Indian
  • Reside within Tribal Boundaries
  • Children between age 1 week to 12 years and 364 days old
  • Parents are engaged in one of the following activities:
    – Employment
    – Education/Training
    – Other approved activities

Parent Applications

Please review the program information and eligibility requirements above before applying.

Provider Application

Please download the printable application below to review the requirements for providers.

Click below for NTC office and business locations, hours, and contact information.

It Takes A Village Childcare Facility

 

It Takes A Village is a State licensed Childcare Facility serving up to 24 children, newborn through 12 years old. At this time, limited slots are available for enrollment, dependent upon the age of the child.

 

 

Location

15780 Sterling Hwy
Ninilchik, AK  99639

Hours of Operation
Monday – Friday 8 am – 5 pm

Applications

Applications are available at the NTC Tribal Services Building.

Please call 907-206-2740 for more information.

Click below for NTC office and business locations, hours, and contact information.

Tribal Values in the Home

The Ninilchik Tribe strives to support the well being and community health of its people in the Dena’ina tradition of caring for children and elders. Part of this support is the preservation of a safety network that ensures at-risk children and their families have access to options that offer them the best support while respecting strong cultural ties. With the provisions of the Indian Child Welfare Act NTC’s Tribal Services department can be the advocate for tribal children who often do not have a voice in their own well being.

What is ICWA?

The Indian Child Welfare Act was passed by US congress in 1978 to allow tribal governments jurisdiction in cases regarding child removal and foster care for Native children in their tribe. The act was created in a response to the cultural degradation of tribal people that resulted from the 1800’s to early 1900’s policies which promoted various governmental, educational, and religious institutions to remove Native children from their families and homelands and place them into non-Native foster families. This practice was done to assimilate Native children into a non-Native culture, which was viewed as a healthier way of living during that time period.

ICWA Jurisdiction

ICWA grants tribal governments either exclusive jurisdiction or concurrent jurisdiction shared with state governments over Native children’s social welfare cases. Exactly how ICWA affairs are presided over vary from tribe to tribe because each tribe has different traditional practices and different types of administrative and judicial bodies. Due to Alaskan tribes’ unique non-reservation based system of governance and other determining factors the Ninilchik Tribe elects to hold concurrent jurisdiction with the State of Alaska in ICWA cases.

ICWA in Ninilchik

The Ninilchik Traditional Council assigns ICWA affairs to the Tribal Services department its ICWA Specialist Elise Weber. Tribal ICWA representatives are experts on children’s welfare and act as an intermediary voice on behalf of clients to state officials, agents, and social work representatives from other tribes.

ICWA Committee & Contact

The NTC ICWA committee is made up of tribal member volunteers to review ICWA related social service policy and cases to make recommendations. Clients, agents, and anyone who wants to know more about ICWA’s guidelines and learn about how to recognize and report suspected child endangerment or welfare needs is welcome to contact Elise Weber at (907) 206-2740.

ICWA is not a legal program or law service and does not initiate proceedings.

Crisis Contact

If a child is in immediate danger please call 911 first

To report suspected abuse and neglect please contact the Southcentral Region Office of Children’s Services (OCS) toll-free at 1-855-352-8934 to file a report. Your identity and personal information are not revealed to anybody other than OCS professionals and are kept confidential from all clients and members of the public.

Foster Homes & Adoption

Reporting and mediating child welfare cases is only the first step to ensure children who have experienced abuse and neglect have an opportunity to achieve a healthy lifestyle in the future. It takes the dedication, support, and love from positive role models who choose to become adoptive or foster parents. The need for foster and adoptive parents is always high, especially for those who are able to share modern tribal values with children who otherwise would not be able to live their inherited Native cultural values by example.

Click below for NTC office and business locations, hours, and contact information.

Parent Applications

Please review the program information and eligibility requirements above before applying.

Provider Application

Please download the printable application below to review the requirements for providers.

Click below for NTC office and business locations, hours, and contact information.

General Assistance

General Assistance provides temporary funding to those who have unmet essential cost of living needs due to situations such as unemployment or dislocation. Applicants must demonstrate a need for living essentials as defined by Bureau of Indian Affairs standards, and they must also demonstrate they do not have another source of income. Funding amounts are calculated by demonstrated needs and standards.

Eligibility

  • Native residents within Ninilchik tribal boundaries

Click below for NTC office and business locations, hours, and contact information.