Our mission is to empower children and their families to achieve or maintain a state of well being while upholding the cultural values of the tribe and the laws that govern the tribal community.
Our purpose is to strengthen families of the Meskwaki Indian Settlement by promoting healthy family functioning in an atmosphere of self-determination and traditional cultural values. Helping people connect with community agencies, resources, and their extended family in a positive way to create a network of support. Individual, family, and group counseling are available to help families solve the situations and issues they may face in today's world.
Subsidized child care services are available to eligible families through certificates (vouchers) or contracts with providers. Parents may select any legally operating child care provider. Child care providers servicing children funded by the Meskwaki Child Care Voucher Program must meet basic health and safety requirements set by Tribes. These requirements must address prevention and control of infectious diseases, including immunizations; building and physical premises safety; and minimum health and safety training.
Other services available from Meskwaki Family Services include initiatives to improve the quality of child care and additional parental support services, such as resource and referral counseling regarding the selection of appropriate child care providers to meet their child’s needs, and to improve the quality of care for infants and toddlers.
For further information or make application for child care financial assistance, please contact Meskwaki Family Services at 641-484-4444.
What’s available?
The Child Care Voucher Program is available to children of income-eligible parents who are absent for a portion of the day due to employment or participation in academic or vocational training.
Who Can Receive help?
You may get help from The Child Care Voucher Program if you:
How do I apply?
Applications for the Program are available at the Meskwaki Family Services Office. To complete your application you must have the following information:
The Protective Payee Program assists individuals with ensuring that their children’s basic needs are met first and foremost, this assistance helps provide financial stability while individuals learn to manage their finances with skill and judgment.
The Protective Payee Program may be required for individuals and/or families if deemed necessary by the tribe. However, the program may be entered on a voluntary basis as well.
General Program Description
The Protective Payee Program is designed to assist individuals and/or families gain knowledge and development of money management skills. Strategies may include one or more of the following processes:
- Working one on one with individuals
- Assessing monthly income and expenses
- Over seeing the payment of, and staying current with, monthly living expenses
- Establishing skills in personal budgeting and planning including anticipation of future needs
- Learning to prioritize needs vs. wants
- If necessary, resolving debts and credit collections
- Teaching check book reconciliation
- Establishing financial goals for savings
Coordinating Services
The protective payee is available to assist individuals and/or families in referring and/or coordinating services with DHS (Department of Human Services), HUD (Housing and Urban Development), SSA (Social Security Administration), FNS (Food and Nutrition Services), as well as other public, state, and federal programs.
Social Security
Meskwaki Family Services also provides Payee Services for individuals assigned to receive assistance managing their Social Security benefits. This Service may be entered on a voluntary basis as well.
The Social Security Payee Service includes the same processes involved in the Protective Payee Service.
ICWA - Indian Child Welfare Act
The link below is provided as a service and resource to the Iowa Department of Human Services and Child Protection Workers as they work to provide Indian children with the best care possible while complying with state and federal provisions of the Indian Child Welfare Act.
