The Indian Child Welfare Program at Seneca-Cayuga Nation (SCN) exists for any tribal member child whose safety may be at risk in any way. Many times, the children in this program are at risk of being removed from their families due to being endangered. ICW offers advocacy for the safety of the child, and keeping families together when it is safe to do so. The program offers services to children who are infants up to 18 years old. 

As shared by Kim Keller, director of the program: “Our number one goal is child safety, if the child is able to be safe, we at ICW want to do everything we can to keep the child with the family, preventative services is very important to this process as a service available to parents who may be experiencing challenges.”

The services provided by ICW advocate for parents with mental health issues, unclean homes, substance abuse, poverty, or underdeveloped parenting skills. For each of the challenges, ICW offers a variety of services to accommodate the particular need. 

Home Based Services such as a parent aid are designed to assist the parent in teaching techniques of discipline, budgeting, safety etc. There are also a variety of services used to create healthier and safer environments for children that provide things like food, beds, clothing, services and drug testing for parents. All these services work together to provide access to resources that can be used to build a stronger and healthier community of Seneca-Cayuga people.   

ICW fostering provides assistance with matching tribal children to other tribal families for purposes of foster care until the court deems a family prepared for reunification. Families must comply with state guidelines intended to verify homes are safe prior to reunifying. If ICW cannot locate a family member with whom to place children with, they are moved to the home of another tribal family.

Kim Keller has been committed to working in Child Welfare for the past 8 years. 6 years within the state of Oklahoma, and 2 years working within Missouri.  She shared that the longevity of relationships built with clients is what allows her to build trust by assisting people in times of need. “Not every situation is the same, we have to look at truth to build strong and loving families. Building trust is the key to getting the family to open up and trust them with their children.  The more we know the more we are able to help a family.” Keller said.

She contributed: “Every decision we make in this department affects someone somewhere, it is not a job to take lightly. I am able to push for justice for children that experience abuse. I wouldn’t change anything, I love what I do, I love helping people. Children don’t have a voice, I am their voice, I’m able to do what no one else does for the children.”

How do you access the services? 

ICW is involved with children who are referred to them by state reported occurrences. When this happens, ICW is permitted to contact the parents/family and offer family assistance. For any questions, please contact the director of the program Kim Keller via email at: kkeller@sctribe.com