ICW Director

Position Purpose and Summary

The Indian Child Welfare Director will supervise and oversee all operations and staff of the ICW Department. This includes but is not limited to planning, directing, and coordinating the overall management of the Indian Child Welfare (ICW) as well as ensure compliance with the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) and APS and ordinance of Kickapoo Tribe of Oklahoma. Preview and evaluate the department and establish policies and procedures to keep the Indian Child Welfare Department in compliance with state and federal regulations for the Kickapoo Tribe of Oklahoma including matters relating to child protective cases, adoptions, guardianships, termination of parental rights, voluntary placement of children, and foster care compliance. Adult Protection Services within the Social Services area. This Director is responsible for advocating for the best interests of Tribal children, Adult Guardians and promoting the general welfare need of Tribal community. This position organizationally falls under the Executive Director of the Kickapoo Tribe of Oklahoma.

Essential Duties, Functions, and Responsibilities

Tasks are as follows, but not limited to:

1. Providing oversight and accounting for program funding received from the BIA’s Self-governance Compact and from other federal or state funding (ie., Family Preservation and Support). Maintain budgets for all programs and coordinates payments with accountants.
2. Negotiating agreements with Federal or State Agencies to access funding or services for children and families involved in ICW services (ie., State/Tribal Foster Care Assistance/Adoption Subsidies/Medical Treatment or any costs for Residential Care).
3. Assuring tribal compliance with the ICW Act by operating a tribal child and family service program with the primary objective being to prevent the breakup of the Kickapoo Tribe of Oklahoma and to ensure that removal of a Kickapoo child from the custody of his or her parent or custodian shall be the last resort.

1. by providing a system for licensing or otherwise regulating Indian

foster and adoptive homes using established tribal standards for approval of foster or adoptive homes.

1. by operating and maintaining facilities for counseling and treatment of Kickapoo families and for the temporary custody of Kickapoo children with the goal of strengthening Kickapoo families and preventing parent- child separations.

4. Administrative supervisor and coordinator of the Kickapoo Tribe of Oklahoma Tribal children and family service program operations and priorities.

5. Serve as advocate for Indian children in Tribal and State court to reunify Indian families.

6. Monitoring and assuring contract compliance with the State of Oklahoma Bureau of Indian Affairs.

1. Planning and coordinating staff training.
2. Provide technical assistance and advice to Indian children and families regarding child welfare.
3. Implement program development activity to enhance and increase resources and funding.
4. Coordinate and supervise daily activities and will monitor the performance of the ICW staff.
5. Attend and participate in consultations and meetings with persons from other tribes and related Indian organizations to promote interest in Indian Child Welfare.

13. Coordinate, review, monitor, and implement guidelines for foster care/adoptive Tribal homes.

14. Assuring all staff are competent in policies, procedures, and laws to remain compliant.

15. Reconciles expenditures with Accountants. Sign off on all requests for payments

whether it is for Tribal or Federal Assistance and assures expenditures are in

compliance with tribal/federal guidelines. Keeps records on program expenditures.

Prepares and submits all reports required by each funding agency and assures

applicants for those funds are timely submitted.

16. Carry small caseload of Federal Services and Assistant clientele and coordinate

services with the Federal/Tribal Caseworkers as well as any services needed by

Tribal Assistance applicants.