Business Processing Maps & LOWO Practice Standards
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LOWO Practice Standards are designed to establish a
service delivery system based on wakanyeja and family
need, as well as being guided by the Oglala Sioux Tribe
Wakanyeja Na Tiwahe Ta Woope or the Oglala Sioux Tribe
Wakanyeja & Family Code, federal laws, federal regulations
and state law as defined by the Wakanyeja & Family Code.
Wakanyeja protective services (CPS) interventions may
provide case management services during or following
investigations or initial assessments. Case management
involves working with families to establish goals, creating
plans to achieve the goals, providing services to meet
needs identified in assessments, monitoring progress
toward achievement of the goals, and closing cases when
goals have been achieved.
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A new beginning and new era of wakanyeja protection and family preservation on
the Oglala Lakota Reservation
A collaborative effort by Oglala Sioux Tribal Agency Organizations, LOWO,
Tiospaye Interpreters
Inter-agency dialog that embodies the spirit of Lakota wakanyeja protection and
family preservation
Application of Federal/State Law and Lakota Traditions defined through a state of
the art process
A visual mapping process referencing the Ta Wakanyeja Na Tiwahe Woope
Procedural guide that represents best practice scenarios and defines inter-agency
partnerships for Lakota wakanyeja protection and family preservation
Established service delivery system based on wakanyeja and family need
Clearly defined ethics, rules, regulations, policies, procedures and standards that
guide and shape the provision of highest quality wakanyeja welfare work
Oglala Lakota wakanyeja living with their biological families and the basic needs of
those families are met including, food, housing and health care
Health families which understand the Lakota culture and live the Lakota culture
Indian wakanyeja who must be placed in care, are placed with relatives or in the
absence of relatives, placed with other Indian families
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Focus on Case Management or “On-Going
Services” after the intake and investigation
“Wopasi” have occurred
Enhance case management skills according to
the Oglala Lakota Practice Model, Ta
Wakanyeja Na Tiwahe Woope and LOWO
Practice Standards
Engaging with wakanyeja and families to
provide case planning & case management
Linking wakanyeja and families with services
Purposes of Case Management
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Oglala Sioux Tribe
Wakanyeja Na Tiwahe Ta Woope
Adopted by the Oglala Sioux Tribe 2007
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Social Security Act Title IV-B
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Social Security Act Title IV-E
Type of Placement
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Tiwahe/Tiospaye Care: Relative or Kinship
Placement
Wakanyeja Care: Licensed foster care
placement
Group/Residential Care
Boarding School
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Under the Ta Wakanyeja Na Tiwahe Woope, LOWO
is responsible to make all reasonable efforts to
notify the parents, guardian or custodian, as
soon as possible and not later than twelve (12)
hours after removal of the wakanyeja from the
home. Reasonable efforts shall include personal,
telephone and written contacts at the residence,
place of employment, or other location where the
parents, guardian or custodian are known to
frequent with regularity. Notice shall also be
given to the wakanyeja’s Tiospaye Interpreter(s)
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In a Native foster home off the reservation;
(H) In a residential care facility off the
reservation that is licensed by an
appropriate licensing entity and
that has served Native wakanyeja;
Where all other alternative placements have been
attempted, not including
a placement in a tribal jail or detention facility,
in a residential care facility off the reservation
licensed by a state or county entity subject to the
terms of an agreement or contract with the Tribe
recognizing the OST Wakanyeja and Family Court
jurisdiction over the wakanyeja and subject
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Assessment for out-of-home care
Least restrictive setting
Reasonable efforts
Special needs
Other considerations
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Education, e.g. name of school and grade
Health Care needs, e.g. immunization
records,
Medications
Conditions requiring special care
Wakanyeja’s temperament and behavior
Visitation plans with the Wakanyeja and
Tiwahe
Previous placement information
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Signed placement agreement
Copy of Medicaid card and primary care
provider information
Copy of birth certificate
Copy of Tribal Enrollment
Copy of Social Security Card
Family Support Specialist contact information
(business card)
Wakanyeja personal belongings
Count by 3’s and break into small groups of 3. Question:
What information should you share with the placement
resource on the wakanyeja’s strengths & needs. 1 person
is the LOWO Worker, 1 person is the placement resource
provider and 1 person is the observer who will report back
to the large group on what was discussed.
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Respite Care
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Responsibilities of Resource Family
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Responsibilities of LOWO Staff
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Responsibilities of Wakanyeja
◦ Case Planning progress and areas to strategize
(where are we at on the case plan, what needs to
change, what is working, etc)
◦ Educational strengths/needs
◦ Social strengths/needs
◦ Medical strengths/needs
◦ Spiritual strengths/needs
◦ Mental Health strengths/needs
◦ Spiritual strengths/needs
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Why it is important
Assessment Tool
Best Practice for child permanency & wellbeing
All children in out of home care should have
one completed
What information do you feel should be included into a
Court Report when reporting to the Court the status of
the wakanyeja, parents and family?
Temporary Emergency Custody Hearing Section
406.9
Advisory Hearing Section 408.11
Status Hearing
Adjudication Hearing
Adjudication Hearing – Finding default
Dispositional Hearing
Temporary Dispositions – When warranted
Temporary Dispositional Alternatives
Review Hearing after Temporary Dispositions
Permanency Planning Hearing
Permanency Plan after ASFA Certification
Informal Resolution
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Prepare Court Report
Supervisor Reviews Court Report
Restore custody to parents, guardians or
custodians
Supervision or supportive services
Support Services Not Required
Support Services recommended
Tiwahe Preservation Services
Placement Continued
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Restore physical and legal custody of the wakanyeja to the
parents, guardian or custodian, if such a restoration of custody
would not harm the best interest of the wakanyeja
Place the wakanyeja with an extended family member, a member
of his Tiospaye or other eligible person with that person awarded
permanent guardianship
Certify the completion of a valid traditional adoption of the
wakanyeja
Place the wakanyeja in another planned permanent living
arrangement or
In the case of the a wakanyeja who has attained age 16 and
where the Wakanyeja & Family Court determines that it would not
harm the best interest of the wakanyeja to order that he live
independently and where the Wakanyeja and Family Court orders
that the services needed to assist the wakanyeja to make the
transition from foster care to independent living be provided to
the wakanyeja
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Function of Tiospaye Interpreter
Wokigna
Adult In-Home Resource
Tiospaye Care-Giver
Awayanka
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“I hereby waive and release hold harmless LOWO,
it’s employees, board of directors, affiliates of
and from any and all claims, demands, debts,
contracts, expenses, causes of action, lawsuits,
damages and liabilities of every kind and nature,
whether known or unknown, in the services or
activities received by on the premises of or for
the benefit of _____ provided that the waiver of
liability does not apply to any acts of gross
negligence or intentional and willful conduct”
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The focus of the Safety Evaluation Plan is to
identify any existing conditions of placing the
wakanyeja in an unprotected situation and/or
imminent danger.
The Risk Assessment examines risk factors
predictive of future maltreatment of the
Wakanyeja
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Family Engagement
Cultural Services
Comprehensive Tiwahe Assessment
Maintaining Connections
Reunification Preparation
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This consent for services form ensures that
the family has agreed to LOWO providing
services such as a) family preservation
services; b) transition services; c) family
group decision making; d) family support
services; e) parenting classes; f)
cultural/spiritual services. The family also has
the right to revoke the signed consent for
services when they feel that services are no
longer warranted for their family.
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Prior to providing services to the tiwahe, the
Family Support Specialist should make every
effort to request that the tiwahe sign the
“Individual Rights, Responsibilities and
Grievance Procedure” form. This form ensures
that the Family Support Specialist has met
with the family and reviewed their individual
rights, as well as the grievance procedures.
This is a legal binding form to assure that the
client’s rights will not be violated.
Count by 2’s and break into small groups of 2. Directions,
read the case plan and answer the questions at the bottom
of the activity handout.
HANDOUT: Copy of case plan for each LOWO staff member.
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Importance of Narratives
Narratives should include
Written format
Reasons to documents
Who has access
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ICWA Requests
Exclusive Jurisdiction
Ward of Tribal Court
Right to Intervene
Verification of Tribal Enrollment
ICWA Eligibility
Count by 3’s and break into small groups of 3. Directions,
read the case scenarios and answer the questions within
the activity sheet.
HANDOUT: Copy of ICWA case scenario for each LOWO
staff member
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A relative search form should be completed on all
wakanyeja under your case load
You can perform relative searches utilizing the
TI, family members, LOWO Staff members,
community members, other service providers
who are working with the family
OST Enrollment Office
Death notices
Using social network systems
Sending letters or contacting family members
and requesting that they provide a list of
relatives
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