|
OUR CHILDREN ARE OUR FUTURE
|
Wijokakdoak is ready to assist in American Indian child welfare situations with services
aimed at prevention. We work closely with child welfare state staff and also with tribal workers that may be involved
with a family living in New Hampshire to ensure the best services available to the family are located and provided.
|
|
|
You can make an incredible difference in the life of Abenaki and other Indian children in New
Hampshire. 
Together we can build better futures for them.
|
|
PREVENTION
Wijokakdoak has been working with DCYF for the last two years
to create community supported programming for Native American children and families who come in contact with child
welfare in New Hampshire.
Our focus has been to build supports that will keep families together in a good way. Much ground work has been laid to assist
in the identification of American Indian families and services providers in the state. DCYF has made a commitment to treat
Abenaki families with the same accord they show other Native American families. Supporting all Indian families with culturally
appropriate services and interventions increases the likely hood of maintaining children safely in their own homes.
Wijokadoak is grateful for the work that has been accomplished. |
|
|
Traditions and community play a vital role in the life of a child. 
Here is a man pounding a black ash log for basket making.
|
|
TRAINING SERVICES
We have developed training on the Indian child welfare act (ICWA) of 1978 for DCYF staff in
New Hampshire. We are also working with CASA to assist in training curriculum and delivery specific to New Hampshire.
|
Our goal is to maintain a child's connections to their tribal family and culture. 
Here Abenaki women are singing on Mt. Kearsarge.
|
|
CONSULTATION SERVICES
Wijokadoak staff will work with child protection workers at any stage of involvement with
a American Indian family to assist in ensuring that culturally appropriate interventions and services are available.
We have a wide range of community members and collaborators who will assist in any situation to create the best
possible outcomes for the family and the child
|
ICWA SERVICES
ICWA provides clear guidelines in the way Native American families must be served in child welfare situations. Wijokadoak staff are trained to know the law and also the best practices emerging across the country to meet the needs of the family and ensure the child well-being under the law. DCYF staff may call upon Wijokadoak at any stage of involvement with a family for consultation purposes. Contact with Wijokadoak is not a substitute for mandated notification of a tribe, however our staff will also assist the Division in making crucial contacts to meet the requirements of the law.
Wijokadoak staff may serve as expert witnesses in ICWA cases as required under the act. Because of our intimate knowledge of the American Indian community in New Hampshire we can assist any Tribe with making choices appropriate for their tribal members. |