Mission Statement
To promote the safety, financial security and social health of Indian communities and individual Indian people
The Human Services Program supports the Department’s Strategic Goal to Advance Quality Communities for Tribes and Alaska Natives by improving social service systems for Indian Tribes and Alaska Natives. Human Services consists of direct funding and activities related to social services, welfare assistance, Indian child welfare, and program oversight. The objective is to improve the quality of life for Alaska Natives and American Indians and to protect the children, elderly, and disabled from abuse and neglect.
This program also supports the Department’s Strategic Goal to Fulfill Indian Fiduciary Trust Responsibilities by providing for the management of Individual Indian Money (IIM) accounts for minors, adults in need of assistance, adults under legal disability, and adults found to be non-compos mentis.
The Branch of Human Services (Social Services) works directly with tribal governments regarding the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) Program, the Welfare Assistance Program, Child Protection, Adult Protection and Domestic Violence Prevention.
Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) Services
Indian Child Welfare Act: designed to prevent the breakup of Native families due to child abuse neglect and to ensure that the permanent removal by the State Social Services from the custody of the child’s parent is the last resort. Federally recognized tribes contract and operate Indian Child and Family Service Programs authorized under PL 95-608.
BIA ICWA Services: The BIA Regional Human Services provides regular training (Orientation, Basic, Intermediate and Advanced) to tribal leaders, tribal council members, tribal court personnel, and tribal child welfare workers on the Indian Child Welfare Act law, the provisions, and the responsibilities of tribes. The Branch provides training on Developing Child Protection Teams; Recognizing Child Sexual Abuse; and Strengthening Families Affected by Domestic Violence.
Welfare Assistance and Social Services
Welfare Assistance: This program provides welfare assistance to Alaska Natives who have no access to Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), who do not meet the eligibility criteria for TANF, or have exceeded the time limits for TANF services.
Social Services: The Welfare Assistance programs are designed to be secondary in nature. Eligible individuals and families are assessed, screened and referred to other public assistance programs which they might receive direct financial assistance, such as Supplemental Security Insurance, Social Security Disability Insurance, medical assistance and state-operated general assistance programs. The program also provides Burial Assistance and Emergency Assistance.
Tribal governments operate the Welfare Assistance Program in Alaska through a PL 93-638 Contract or a Self-Governance Compact
For more information about offered services, please contact: Gloria Gorman, Regional Human Services Director, (907) 271-4111.
Human Services operates under and with the following regulations:
P.L. 93-638 Indian Self Determination Act
P. L. 95-608 Indian Child Welfare Act
25 CFR Part 20 Financial Assistance and Social Services
25 CFR Part 23 Indian Child Welfare Act
More information on ICWA can be found here
25 CFR Part 115 Individual Indian Money
