MESKWAKI FAMILY SERVICES
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 their extended family, community agencies and resources 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.
SERVICES AVAILABLE
Indian Child Welfare Services: Advocacy and skill building for Native American Families who are
involved in Child Protective Cases or are at risk for involvement.
Family Group Decision Making: Helping families keep children from out of home placement by bringing a
key family member together to develop a plan for their future.
Protective Payee Program: Assisting at-risk families with budgeting of monthly bills and ensuring that
the immediate needs of their children are met first and foremost.
Parenting Skills Development: Helping parents understand and provide for the developmental and
cultural needs of their children.
CHILD CARE VOUCHER PROGRAM
Need help paying for Child Care?
The Meskwaki Child Care Voucher Program is designed specifically to help eligible Native
Americans pay for childcare.
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 vocation training.
Eligibility:
Working o attending an approved training or education program
Have income under the programs limits, according to the family size.
Have a child who needs care and is under 13 years of age or under 19 years of age if the child
has special needs.
How to Apply:
Applications are available at Meskwaki Family Services. To complete your application you must
have the following:
Tribal Identification
Completed application
Previous year tax return
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.
Needs:
Link to presentation about Indian Child Welfare Act
PROTECTIVE PAYEE PROGRAM (Financial Skills Strengthening Families)
Meskwaki Family Services offers voluntary “in nature” services under the Protective Payee Program
(PPP) ensuring the proper use of minor and vulnerable adult per capita distributions. In addition, PP is
equipping members of the Meskwaki Community with the knowledge and confidence needed to
manage personal finances, with skill and judgment. The PPP will assist community members who would
like assistance with their per capita distribution, personal finances, social security benefits, and/or
advice on seeking our public assistance. The payee can conduct financial assessments, create personal
financial plans, and provide information and guidance promoting fiscal responsibility.
SERVICES
Whether you want to maintain a checking account, buy a car, or pay off your debt personal financial
literacy is the first step to gaining control of your financial future. The PPP will assist you indeveloping
and/or maintaining money management skills.
Personal Financial Assessments
Goal Setting
Record Keeping Strategies
Developing Spending Plans
Understanding Credit and your Credit Report
Debt Management
Bill Payment: Over Seeing Payment of, and Staying Current with, Monthly Living Expenses
REFERRALS
The protective payee can direct individuals or families in need of social services to the appropriate
agency.
SOCIAL SECURITY
Meskwaki Family Services also provides payee services for individuals receiving Social Security benefits.
This service may be entered on a voluntary basis.
The Social Security Payee Service provides the same services as the Protective Payee Program.
MESKWAKI VICTIM ADVOCACY PROGRAM
Comprehensive Services for NATIVE Women, Children & their Families
SERVICES
The Sexual Assault Advocacy Program exists to increase positive outcomes for Native Women, Children
& their Families who are victims/survivors of sexual violence and provide Outreach/Prevention Services
for the community.
Comprehensive Victim Advocacy Support Service includes:
Emergency Crisis Line 24 hours a day/ 7 days a week
For primary and secondary victims/survivors of Sexual Assault & their families
Advocacy during medical and legal proceedings
Direct support help meeting basic needs
Individual family and group counseling
Transportation for necessary services
EVENTS ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Women’s Group
Fridays 1:00pm to 2:00pm
Location: MADAC
We discuss women’s issues and strive to EMPOWER families.
For Transportation or more information, Contact Kim at 641-484-4444 or MADAC at 641-484-9482
FAMILY FUN NIGHT
Meskwaki Family Services-Victim Advocacy Program and MADAC deliver monthly FAMILY FUN education
night.
Every fourth Thursday of the month-crafts, games, learning and fun for the whole family. Call for start
time 5:30pm
Advisory Group & Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) meet quarterly. Volunteers welcome call Kim
484-4444
PREVENTION
MAP Program at MSS on Wednesdays
PARTNERSHIPS
Iowa Coalition against Sexual Assault (Iowa CASA)
Domestic Violence Alternate and Sexual Assault Center (DVA/SAC)
Partnering with area hospital (Marshalltown)
Child Protection Center (CPC), Cedar Rapids, IA
United States Attorney Northern District of Iowa-Crime Victim Assistance Division (CVAD)
Department of Criminal Investigation (DCI)
Iowa Department of Human Services (DHS)
Fareway-Toledo, Iowa
Tribal Entities:
Meskwaki Family Services (MFS)
Meskwaki Health Clinics (MHC)
Meskwaki Nation Police Dept (MNPD)
Meskwaki Tribal Court (MTC)
Meskwaki Alcohol and Drug Center (MADAC)
Meskwaki Settlement School (MSS)
Meskwaki Wellness Center
Meskwaki Community Health
Meskwaki Diabetes Program
Meskwaki Senior Services
Meskwaki Housing Program
Needs:
Meskwaki Victim logo plus CRISIS LINE ( 641-481-0034; 24 hours a day/ 7 days a week)
Contact Info
Picture of staff