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Adoption
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Adoption services trains and certifies Indian families and relative homes to be permanent placement for Cherokee and any other Indian child needing permanency when parental rights of parents have been voluntarily or involuntarily terminated in state or tribal court. This unit also works with birth parents that express a desire to voluntarily place their children for adoption. Consultation to birth parents is provided explaining all the rights and obligations of such a decision. This unit provides access to both closed and open adoption to meet the requirement of the birth parents. Adoption services works closely with states and private adoption agencies nation-wide to insure that Cherokee adoptive homes are utilized in the permanent placement plans for Cherokee children. Cherokee Nation can provide placement for other Indian children when requested to do so by the child’s tribe. |
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Court and Permanency Services
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Court and Permanency Services provides court advocacy in the tribal and state systems for children and families. This advocacy is to help ensure that Cherokee children and families get the protections offered under the Federal Indian Child Welfare Act as well as any protections offered by the various state Indian Child Welfare Acts. Court and Permanency workers attend court hearings in person or telephonically to be a voice for Cherokee Nation in the protection of children. This unit also provides the planning and linkage to services necessary for families who are working to correct the problems that caused the initial removal of their child. This service is offered for Cherokee children nation-wide. |
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Family First – a preservation program
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Families First is a "grass roots" program that provides services to children and families in an effort to keep families together in a safe and healthy lifestyle that promotes the core family value of self-reliance. |
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Foster Care
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Foster Care trains and certifies Cherokee and relative homes to be temporary placements for Cherokee children who, for whatever reason, cannot currently remain in their own home. When seeking homes for foster care, the relatives of the child receive first consideration. Foster care, while temporary, plays a valuable role in the family reunification efforts for the child. |
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Child Protection Services
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Child Protection Services provides protection to those children who are reported to be at risk for maltreatment. This unit accepts and records all reports of alleged maltreatment. They also investigate all reports of abuse and neglect of Cherokee children and exclusively provide protection to Indian children on Indian lands. Child Protection Services also provide joint investigations with the Department of Human Services for Cherokee children residing elsewhere. The primary responsibility of Child Protection Services is assessing the safety of the child and providing any action that protects and promotes the best interest of the child. |
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Youth Services
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Youth Services maintains an emergency youth shelter for temporary placement of runaway, homeless or troubled youth in need of crisis intervention services. The shelter provides community outreach and prevention services that include counseling, education, chemical dependency screenings and independent living skills. Youth Services also provides Transitional Living Services for youth ages 18 to 21 to transition unsupported youth into adulthood with financial, employment and other needed skills for a self-reliant lifestyle. |
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Quality Assurance
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CYFS maintains an internal Quality Assurance unit to ensure that policies and laws are followed and Cherokee Nation Indian Child Welfare practice is on the highest quality. |
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Recruitment
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CYFS maintains a unit that is responsible for recruiting potential foster and adoptive parents. |
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