Social Services Department

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Office Hours:
Monday-Friday
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Office Location:
501 Chiloquin Blvd.
Chiloquin, OR 97624

Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 436 Chiloquin, OR 97624

Crisis Information:
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255

National Domestic Violence Hotline 1- 800-799-7233
or text STARTto 88788

National Human Trafficking Hotline  1- 888-373-7888
or text HELPor INFOto 233733

StrongHearts Native Helpline
1-844-762-8483


 

Social Services Department

Mission Statement: Igniting generational healing and change through empowering our clients and families to achieve a higher quality of life.

 

Vision Statement: Provide equitable, fair, and respectful services and supports that remove barriers and challenges of our clients and families. Integrate tribal and cultural values within support framework to ensure our clients, parents, and families thrive.

 

Social Services Department Programs

The Social Services Department administers the following programs.

General Assistance

TANF

Healing Winds (DV, SA & More)

Children & Family Services (CFS)

Crisis Information

01. General Assistance Program (GA)

The GA Program provides temporary financial assistance to alleviate unnecessary hardship to Native American individuals with temporary or permanent disabilities residing within Klamath County, Oregon. Monthly financial assistance ranges from $246 to $336 per individual within a single household.

02. Elegibility

In order to be eligible for GA assistance, the applicant must:
1) Must be an enrolled member of a Federally recognized Tribe, and
2) Must be at least 18 years of age, and
3) Must reside within Klamath County, Oregon, and
4) May receive SNAP, FDPIR/Commodities, and WIC assistance, and
5) Cannot be receiving any monthly public, Tribal, State, or Federal assistance within 30 days (State GA, other Tribes GA, TANF, SSI or SSD), and
6) Shall not have sufficient resources to meet essential needs (such as shelter, food, clothing, and utilities), and
7) Must be incapacitated and provide medical documentation of temporary or permanent disability.

03. Services

 Provide case management services such as developing a structured plan and goals to obtain self-sufficiency
• Conduct a Needs Assessment to ensure client is knowledgeable of assistance programs available
• Provide information and may assist the client with obtaining access to other programs
• Maintain a list of Tribal and non-Tribal resources available and share with clients
• Referrals for job retention and readiness training

04. Forms

Forms will soon be added to the website. You may request one to be mailed or e-mailed to you by contacting a Program Staff Member.

5. Staff

Lori Theros TANF Program Manager Ext. 132 Fax:  (541) 783-3685 lori.theros@klamathtribes.com   

6. Frequently Asked Questions
01. Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program (TANF)

The TANF Program provides a monthly grant award to parents, guardians, or families whose children are enrolled in the Klamath Tribes.  Households must be a resident of Klamath County, Oregon.  Monthly financial assistance ranges per household.  Household of one child is $397; two is $497, three is $597, and for each additional child after three the assistance amount increases $100.    

    2. Eligibility

    In order to be eligible for TANF assistance, the applicant must:

    1. At least one child within the household, must be enrolled in the Klamath Tribes; and
    2. The household’s asset income cannot exceed $10,000 at in-take; and
    3. The household’s countable liquid income limit at in-take is $2,500; and
    4. One or both parents may work or receive other assistance while on the Program, as long as the household does not exceed income limits by household size (below); and
    Household Income Limit by Household Size (after case is open)
    1 2 3 4 5+
    $395 $545 $695 $845 +$150 per additional member
    • Must be a resident of Klamath County for at least 30 days; and
    • Cannot be receiving other Tribal or State TANF, or cannot receive assistance within 30 days; and
    • Have not exceeded the TANF Term Limit of 5 years (includes both State & Tribal assistance)
    3. Services
    • Provide assistance to parent(s) / guardian(s) to obtain and retain gainful employment with needs such as referrals for job retention and readiness training, childcare, interview and work clothes, transportation needs, vehicle maintenance/repair, and other incentives to gain employment.
    • NAFA+ Program to assist with job placement and training with local businesses / agencies
    • Assistance with school needs such as clothing and fees
    • Assistance with needs during winter Holiday season
    • Emergency supports such as furniture, utilities, rental assistance, and more
    4. Forms

    Forms will soon be added to the website.  You may request one to be mailed or e-mailed to you by contacting a Program Staff Member.

    5. Staff

    Lori Theros TANF Program Manager Ext. 132 Fax:  (541) 783-3685 lori.theros@klamathtribes.com  

    Deborah Moran TANF Intensive Case Manager Ext. 107 Fax:  (541) 783-3685 deborah.moran@klamathtribes.com  

    6. Frequently Asked Questions
    01. Healing Winds Program (DV, SA and more)

    To provide information, referral, advocacy, and assistance with gaining access to Tribal and non-Tribal programs, and financial assistance to Native American Victims of certain crimes. The goal of the Program is to lessen the impact of crimes on victims. The Program protects the identity and maintains confidentiality of the victims they serve.

    02. Eligibility

    In order to be eligible for Healing Winds Program, the applicant must:
    1) Applicant must be an enrolled member of The Klamath Tribes; a descendant of The Klamath Tribes, an enrolled member of another Federally Recognized Tribe, identifies as being Native American, or considers themselves to belong to a Native American community; and
    2) Applicant may be of any gender, and at least sixteen (16) years of age; and
    3) Applicant must live within Klamath County, Oregon; and
    4) Applicant does not have any pending or under supervision for person-to-person crimes; and
    5) Applicant must be a victim of Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, Stalking, Dating Violence, Human Trafficking, Elder Abuse, and/or Survivor of a Homicide Victim; and
    6) Abuse or incident must have occurred with last 180 days; and
    7) The Offender may be the Victim’s intimate partner, family member (related by blood, marriage, or other custom), relative, stalking perpetrator, human trafficking perpetrator, caregiver, neighbor, employee, co-worker, student, schoolmate, or stranger.

    3. Services

    • Information & Referral – Includes information about criminal justice process; victim rights, how to obtain notifications, etc. Includes referral to other victim service programs; services, supports, and resources.

    • Personal Advocacy & Accompaniment – Includes advocacy/accompaniment to emergency medical care; medical forensic exam; law enforcement interview; individual advocacy; performance of medical or nonmedical forensic exam or interview or medical evidence collection. Request for immigration assistance; intervention with employer, creditor, landlord, or academic institution; transportation assistance; interpreter services; assistance with victim compensation application; and/or assistance with obtaining support, resources, or services including employment, housing, shelter services, health care, victim’s compensation, etc.

    • Cultural Advocacy – Such as sweat lodge, talking circles, wellness gatherings, cultural ceremonies, etc.

    • Emotional Support or Safety Services – Includes crisis intervention; on-scene crisis response; individual counseling; support groups; other therapy; emergency financial assistance; victim witness notification, outreach to victims/survivors.

    • Shelter/Housing Services – Includes Emergency shelter or safe house; transitional housing; and/or relocation assistance.

    • Criminal/Civil Justice System Assistance – Includes notification of criminal justice events; victim impact statement assistance; restitution assistance; civil legal assistance in obtaining protection or restraining order; civil legal assistance with family law issues; other emergency justice-related assistance. Immigration assistance; prosecution interview advocacy/accompaniment; law enforcement interview advocacy/accompaniment; criminal advocacy/accompaniment; other legal advice and/or counsel.

    • Financial Assistance – Includes assistance with necessary expenditures to maintain reliable transportation; transit costs; phone costs; childcare assistance; clothing/footwear; assistance to obtain or maintain employment; legal fees; costs to obtain personal documentation; housing/rental costs; utility costs; relocation, moving, and/or storage fees; enhancement to client safety and security; and replacement or repair to Victim’s damaged property and/or belongings.

    5. Staff

    Kelli Campagna, DV Advocate
    W: 541-783-2219 x196
    C: 541-891-5073
    F: 541-783-7783 Kelli.Campagna@klamathtribes.com 

    6. Frequently Asked Questions
    01. Children & Family Services Program (C&FS) – ICWA

    The C&FS Program advocates for Klamath Tribal families in accordance with the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) of 1978, Tribal-State ICWA Agreement, ORICWA (currently in draft phase), and upholds The Klamath Tribes Resolutions related to child welfare. Per ICWA, it is the right of the Tribe to determine if “Active Efforts” have been made by the State to provide remedial services and rehabilitative programs designed to prevent the breakup of the Indian family; in two areas: removal and reunification of Tribal children to their families. The C&FS Program may intervene at any stage of a child welfare case and advocates for the best interest of the Tribe, the Tribal family unit, and the Klamath Tribal child.

    02. Eligibility

    The C&FS provides advocacy, services, and other supports when:
    1) Child must be enrolled or eligible for enrollment in the Klamath Tribes; and
    2) One of the following circumstances apply:
    a. An open child welfare case, or
    b. There is an active assessment, or
    c. The parent/guardian seeks to engage in voluntary case; or
    d. The parent/guardian elects to engage in prevention services without any court petitions or safety plans; and
    3) Not restricted to geographical boundary, may be a party to child welfare case nationwide; and
    4) The C&FS may intervene at any stage of the child welfare case.

    03. Services

    Ensure compliance with ICWA, and advocate for the preservation of Indian child’s identity and Tribal family unit. Advocacy efforts include:

    • Attendance at court hearings
    • Participate in child welfare/State agencies’ case planning to ensure Active Efforts are integrated into the case plan and the agency has met the standard of service
    • Provide recommendations for service(s), referrals, and advocate for tribal/cultural specific services
    • When appropriate, advocate for in-home cases to prevent the removal of children
    • In concurrence with Tribal Law, the C&FS Program advocates for long-term placement without the termination of parental rights. Therefore, the C&FS will nearly always advocate for guardianship rather than adoption of Klamath Tribal children.
    • Ensure compliance with placement preferences of Tribal children during removal and when determining long term placement
    • Define Active Efforts in the two areas of a child welfare case (removal and reunification)
    • Provide Court testimony and certify to Citizen’s Review Boards (CRB’s) if Active Efforts were met for each child welfare case
    • Process Eligibility Requests for enrollment status of children
    • Provide assistance for prevention, service-engagement, reunification and up to six months after reunification
    • Advocate ICWA rights at various stakeholder meetings at local, state and national level
    • Assist with various efforts to recruit Tribal Foster Homes
    • Maintain contact with Tribal children in care to support and maintain their tribal identity
    • The C&FS Program staff is not Child Protective Services (CPS).  We do not “take Tribal children away from their families.”  We may accompany State agencies during an assessment.  We verify the State is in compliance with ICWA and has provided “clear and convincing evidence… that the continued custody of the child by the parent or Indian custodian is likely to result in serious emotional or physical damage to the child (per ICWA §1912.e.).”
    • The C&FS Program staff are not attorneys or legal counsel.
    • The C&Fs Program staff are not therapy or substance abuse counselors or facilitators.  However, the Program may assist with the referral to tribally/culturally specific service providers.
    4. Forms

    Forms will soon be added to the website. You may request one to be mailed or e-mailed to you by contacting a Program Staff Member.

    5. Staff

    Lisa Ruiz, Program Managerr
    W: 541-783-2219 x129
    C: 541-891-1457
    F: 541-783-7783 Lisa.Ruiz@klamathtribes.com

    Madeline Hutchinson, Family Advocate
    W: 541-783-2219 x152
    C: 541-891-0754 Madeline.Hutchinson@klamathtribes.com

    Missy Say 
    W: 541-783-2219 x187
    missy.say@klamathtribes.com

    6. Frequently Asked Questions
    Are you in crisis and do you need immediate help?