Social Services

Prevention Services are used to guide, educate, and support families/individuals through positive goal oriented interventions to strengthen family unity and empower them towards self-sufficiency. Prevention services are home-based voluntary services for families with children at risk of removal, pregnant teens, new parents, families/individuals needing life skills education, support for school success, and/or those needing other support, referral or advocacy services. Adult Prevention Services are also available for at-risk adults.  Community education is also provided through various trainings/classes, such as, parent education classes, the Strengthening Families Program, and anger management training. Mandated reporter trainings are provided to community professionals on a regular basis. 
 

Child Protective Services (CPS) are provided to the community to ensure child safety through positive goal oriented interventions to include advocacy, education, guidance and support of families to strengthen and preserve family unity.
 

Foster Care Services include assessment/home studies for KBIC child foster home licensing. Education, support, advocacy and case management services for children in out-of-home care and their families.
 

Reunification Services include providing various supportive services and/or referrals to services to aid in reunification of children in out-of-home care with their families.
 

Juvenile Justice Services are used to guide, educate, and support youth offenders and their caretakers through positive goal oriented interventions.  The interventions are used to build on family strengths and reinforce positive behaviors.  The Services Specialist monitors the youth during probation and works with families and youth to deter further involvement with the legal system.  A Community Services program is also utilized as an intervention for youth offenders. 
 

Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) Case Services are for KBIC children in out-of-home care and their families who reside off the KBIC reservation. ICWA Services are case monitoring and/or management which may include attending state court hearings, giving recommendations, interventions, advocacy, support, and/or referrals for needed services. These cases are usually in the state court systems and are either monitored by KBIC Tribal Social Services staff and remain under jurisdiction of the state or are transferred to the KBIC Tribal Court. The Indian Child Welfare-Justice (ICW-J) Committee receives updates and gives recommendations as needed for these cases.
 

Elder/Adult Protective Services (APS) investigates allegations of abuse, neglect, and/or exploitation of the elderly or adults with disabilities. When maltreatment is confirmed or substantiated, APS provides, arranges or refers to services in an attempt to alleviate the problem. APS is dedicated to ensuring the health and safety of vulnerable adults.
 

Foster Home Licensing is available through Tribal Social Services.  The department has the authority to establish standards and license foster family homes and child care institutions within the counties of Baraga, Iron, Houghton, Marquette, Ontonagon, Dickinson, Gogebic, and Keweenaw in the state of Michigan.