St. Regis Mohawk Tribe: News & Resources

PRESS RELEASE

For immediate release:
Ohiari:ha/ June 2, 2005

For information contact:
Public Information Office
St. Regis Mohawk Tribe
Tel: (518) 358-2272 ext. 236
Fax: (518) 358-9675

TRIBE ASSUMES CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES FROM FRANKLIN COUNTY
Adult Cases to be Transferred in the Fall

AKWESASNE, N.Y. — On June 1, 2005 the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe’s Department of Social Services assumed responsibility for providing child protective services from Franklin County. A bill passed by the New York State Legislature in 2004 amended the State’s Social Services Law and allowed for cases involving Mohawk children to be transferred to the Tribe.

“The Tribe’s efforts in successfully lobbying for this legislation now allows us to resume child protective services for our Mohawk children,” said Tribal Chief Margaret Terrance. “The transition of cases will ensure that decisions are made by case workers familiar with our community and in the best interest of our Mohawk families.”

Beginning this month, the Tribe’s Human Services Division will begin administering child protective services independent of Franklin County , which handled 40 to 50 cases in the Akwesasne community each year. A restriction was previously in place that only permitted the Tribe to aid Franklin County in its efforts to provide protective services.

The 2004 legislation effectively eliminated this restriction and allows the Tribe to provide child protective services through an agreement with the New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS). The St. Regis Mohawk Tribe is the only tribe in New York State to have an agreement with OCFS to provide direct child welfare services to its tribal members.

The Human Services Division has been working to assume responsibility for all cases involving Mohawk children since 1978, when the Indian Child Welfare Act was passed. Beginning in 1994, the Tribe has been providing direct child welfare and foster care placement services, but not protective services, through a Tribal-State Agreement with the State’s Department of Social Services.

“We’re slowly, but surely becoming a more community-based program that we hope will improve the lives of the families we work with,” said Human Services Director Jamie Bay . “Over the years, we have grown to provide vital community support through 10 programs and employ nearly 150 people.”

The legislation’s approval enabled the Tribe to begin making plans for the transition of child protective service cases from the County. Staff was hired in October 2004 and received training in the child protective system until January 2005.

In handling reports of possible child neglect and abuse, calls will still be received by the New York State Central Registry at (800) 342-3720. Cases involving Mohawk children will then be forwarded to the Tribe’s Department of Social Services for investigation and determination of suspected instances of child abuse and neglect.

The Tribe will also assume all adult cases in the Fall of 2005 after the staff receive the required training in protective services for adults. Cases it will deal with include elders who experience abuse, neglect or other forms of maltreatment.

According to Bay, “Bringing the cases involving Akwesasne community members back to the Tribe benefits everyone.” He added, “It saves resources for the County and brings comfort to community members by seeing familiar faces, which means more cooperation from the Mohawk families that receive our services.”

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The St. Regis Mohawk Tribal Council is the duly elected and federally recognized government of the Mohawk people.








		PRESS RELEASE For immediate release: Ohiari:ha/ June 2, 2005 For information contact: Public Information Office St. Regis Mohawk Tribe Tel: (518) 358-2272 ext. 236 Fax: (518) 358-9675 TRIBE ASSUMES CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES FROM FRANKLIN COUNTY Adult Cases to be Transferred in the Fall AKWESASNE, N.Y. — On June 1, 2005 the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe’s Department of Social Services assumed responsibility for providing child protective services from Franklin County. A bill passed by the New York State Legislature in 2004 amended the State’s Social Services Law and allowed for cases involving Mohawk children to be transferred to the Tribe. “The Tribe’s efforts in successfully lobbying for this legislation now allows us to resume child protective services for our Mohawk children,” said Tribal Chief Margaret Terrance. “The transition of cases will ensure that decisions are made by case workers familiar with our community and in the best interest of our Mohawk families.” Beginning this month, the Tribe’s Human Services Division will begin administering child protective services independent of Franklin County , which handled 40 to 50 cases in the Akwesasne community each year. A restriction was previously in place that only permitted the Tribe to aid Franklin County in its efforts to provide protective services. The 2004 legislation effectively eliminated this restriction and allows the Tribe to provide child protective services through an agreement with the New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS). The St. Regis Mohawk Tribe is the only tribe in New York State to have an agreement with OCFS to provide direct child welfare services to its tribal members. The Human Services Division has been working to assume responsibility for all cases involving Mohawk children since 1978, when the Indian Child Welfare Act was passed. Beginning in 1994, the Tribe has been providing direct child welfare and foster care placement services, but not protective services, through a Tribal-State Agreement with the State’s Department of Social Services. “We’re slowly, but surely becoming a more community-based program that we hope will improve the lives of the families we work with,” said Human Services Director Jamie Bay . “Over the years, we have grown to provide vital community support through 10 programs and employ nearly 150 people.” The legislation’s approval enabled the Tribe to begin making plans for the transition of child protective service cases from the County. Staff was hired in October 2004 and received training in the child protective system until January 2005. In handling reports of possible child neglect and abuse, calls will still be received by the New York State Central Registry at (800) 342-3720. Cases involving Mohawk children will then be forwarded to the Tribe’s Department of Social Services for investigation and determination of suspected instances of child abuse and neglect. The Tribe will also assume all adult cases in the Fall of 2005 after the staff receive the required training in protective services for adults. Cases it will deal with include elders who experience abuse, neglect or other forms of maltreatment. According to Bay, “Bringing the cases involving Akwesasne community members back to the Tribe benefits everyone.” He added, “It saves resources for the County and brings comfort to community members by seeing familiar faces, which means more cooperation from the Mohawk families that receive our services.” --30-- The St. Regis Mohawk Tribal Council is the duly elected and federally recognized government of the Mohawk people.