Home
Government
Services
Business
Cultural
Employment
Contact Us
NewsLetters
Tribal Offices Open Daily From 8am-5pm
Social Services
(405) 275 - 4030 / (405) 878 - 4723
Shawnee Larney - Director
Mission Statement:
Strong families are the Absentee Shawnee Tribe’s foundation and our future. Keeping families strong and together are goals the Social Services Department strives to achieve. By reaching out, working together and by providing affective and efficient administration of programs that will strengthen family life and foster self-sufficiency we can improve the well-being of all Absentee Shawnee families.
Eligibility: Services are offered with the goal of self-sufficiency. All programs administered thru the Social Services target the economically disadvantaged, unemployed, or underemployed Native American Indian. An application process is required. Receipt of any assistance is dependent on an un-met need basis, meeting specific program requirements, and availability of funding. Not all services are of a financial nature.
Service Area: The Social Services, service area extends to include Lincoln, Payne, Cleveland and Pottawatomie counties. Most of the programs are limited to the former reservation boundaries plus near reservation designation of the Absentee Shawnee Tribe or in Census Bureau terms “Oklahoma Tribal Service Area” (OTSA). This area is bound on the South of the North Canadian River, on the North of the South Canadian River, on the West of the Seminole County line and on the East of the Indian Meridian line. The Absentee Shawnee Tribe former reservation service area covers portions of Pottawatomie, Cleveland and Oklahoma counties.
Within The Social Services: General Assistance, BIA Indigent Burial Assistance, Disaster Assistance, Emergency Assistance, Direct Employment Assistance, Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). In this component, the eligibility for the service varies depending on residence. Program funding provided may range from home energy assistance to crisis assistance to assist Indian people who have obtained a new permanent full-time job but still need help with initial expenses, as well as other miscellaneous assistance.
Tribal Energy Assistance (AST tribal members only) is also handled through this component. These funds are made possible from tribal profits assigned by the Executive Committee for Absentee Shawnee Tribal members in dire need. Limitations and restrictions do apply regarding fund available. Residence within the United States is required. Referrals to other public services agencies will be made as appropriate.
Employment Services (WIA Adult): Offers participants a boost in their job search/application techniques. Resume writing, job referral, interview tips and other employment related services are provided. Employment opportunities have no limitation. Hands-on job training with actual work experience and on-the-job training programs may be determined appropriate for some participants. Work experience placements are designed to help those who may need a boost in joining the workforce. On-the-job training is utilized to encourage employers to choose a WIA participant over other similarly qualified applicants. Both public and private businesses and organizations have benefited from employees obtained through the WIA program as well as various tribal enterprises/entities.
Youth Services (Summer Youth): The work experience utilizes a variety of work sites with emphasis on basic work habits, life skills, financial management, computer learning, their individual interests and needs of the youth. Limitations apply regarding age of the youth and location of residence. This program also may assist with schooling needed during the summer. In both the classroom and the work placements, the importance is placed on maintaining self-esteem and personal responsibility for individual actions.
Referrals and Networking:The Social Services program is designed to support participants in their efforts to attain and maintain economic self-sufficiency. Low-income is considered a factor but not exclusive. Barriers faced by our Native American Indian participants are many. These range from transportation issues to family situations and child protection issues. The Social Services staff, as well as other tribal employees, actively works with local organizations, businesses, churches, DHS and other Tribes and Tribal Programs to fill the gap to meet the household needs of the participant. Our staff continues to actively seek new ideas and ways to support these efforts.
Process:An application for services is not considered complete until all required documents are received and an assessment has been administered. Based on the information contained in the application, a Case Worker will be assigned to provide individual assistance. Depending on the needs identified in the assessment, each participant’s file will be reviewed by the Social Services Director for further approval. Depending on services requested or needed the Case Worker may request additional documentation or a referral will be completed. In the event the applicant is related or closely associated with the Case Worker or Director an alternate Social Services staff will be assigned. Incomplete or pending applications are held for a minimum of 30 days. After 90 days of inactivity, files will be considered closed.
Fraudulent Information:Assistance offered though the Social Services programs are made possible through Federal grants and tribal funds from the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Dept of Health & Human Services and the Absentee Shawnee Tribe. Knowingly providing information that is untrue or false is considered fraud and will be subject to Federal prosecutions.
