Children's Home
VISION
The Nez Perce Tribal Children’s Home (NPTCH) strives to
provide a safe and familiar environment that support a culturally relevant,
healthy, and positive experience for children referred to the program. NPTCH is
a twenty –four hour a day, seven days a week facility to provide short term care
for children who have been removed from parental care, and to provide respite
care for providers.
GOALS
-
NPTCH shall provide short term care for eligible children who have been
referred by NPT Law Enforcement or NPT Child Protection Services.
- NPTCH shall work to coordinate and deliver services to
the clients, utilizing Tribal and State resources to work toward keeping
Indian families together and avoid separating the youth from parents,
relatives, tribe or cultural heritage.
- NPTCH and CPS will, upon request, be available for the
coordination of family reconciliation services.
- NPTCH shall, upon request, be available to coordinate
services to all youth and their families, if served at the NPTCH following
the termination of their residence at NPTCH.
DESCRIPTION OF PROGRAM/SERVICES
The Nez Perce Tribal Children’s Home (NPTCH)
is located in Lapwai, Idaho. NPTCH has been operable since August 2005, and
resides in a brand new building, that was funded by a Presbyterian Woman’s Group
in the amount of $10,000. The program has been funded by Nez Perce
Gaming Allocations, since it’s opening.
NPTCH is available for children between the
ages of birth through 17 years old. NPTCH receives children by referral by Child
Protection Services or Nez Perce Tribe Law Enforcement. NPTCH serves Nez Perce
Tribal members, or as referred by CPS or Tribal Law Enforcement. NPTCH also
provides Respite care for foster parents and families, in which NPTCH provides
all care and support activities for the child as needed.
NPTCH is staffed by one Coordinator and
three House Parents. Staff are required to have regular training, a driver’s
license, CPR/First Aid & Food Handlers cards and submit to random drug testing.
The Nez Perce Tribal Children’s Home also
takes donations of all kinds, including clothing, coats, shoes, non-perishable
food, books, movies, educational material, etc.
STAFF
Constance Watters MPH, Social Service Manager
Sydel
Samuels, BS, Children’s Home Coordinator
Shanelle Freouf, House Parent
Sidryn Sam, House Parent
DONATION OPPORTUNITIES
Nez Perce Tribal Children’s Trust Fund
The primary donation fund is the Nez Perce
Tribal Children’s Trust Fund which was established by the Nez Perce Tribal
Executive Committee in 2003.
The purpose of the long term fund is to
eventually provide a self sustaining children’s services program. The
priorities for the fund will include the Nez Perce Tribal Children’s Home ,
Child Protection Services, Foster Care Placement, support services, youth
development and when funds become available, internships, and college
scholarships for specific Social Service needs.
The Trust Fund has not been utilized and
will continue to build, until a specified amount has been contributed and the
Nez Perce Tribal Executive Committee will determine the access of the funds.
NPTCH also has t-shirts and tote bags for
sale to support the Trust Fund that were designed by a well known Nez Perce
artist.
Nez Perce Tribal Children’s Home
Proceeds/Donation Fund
The Nez Perce Tribal Children’s Home
Proceeds/Donations fund was established by Administrative Action in November
2006. The establishment of the fund supplements our limited general operating
fund, for direct client support.
The purpose of the proceeds fund is to be
able to readily access funds that support children who reside in the Children’s
Home by providing special keepsake items or activities that meets each one’s
individual needs.
Items may include birthday & holiday gifts,
books, items to make their own regalia, craft projects, reward activities
for completion of special tasks or projects, attendance to sporting events, and
other meaningful support items that build on their knowledge, and social and
emotional well-being.
The Children’s Home proceeds fund is a
secondary donation fund, that primarily generates funds by fundraisers
facilitated by NPTCH staff. Donators have the ability to select either funds by
completing a Social Service Donation form.
