CHILDREN & FAMILY SERVICES

FORMS & APPLICATIONS

CONTACT INFORMATION

  • Kawerak, Inc.
    P.O. Box 948
    Nome, AK 99762

  • 907.443.4376
    907.443.4261
  • 907.443.4474

  • cfs@kawerak.org

Go Blue – April is Child Abuse Prevention Month

The Child Advocacy Center has teamed up with other departments and organizations to bring you Child Abuse Prevention Month activities! Don’t forget to wear your blue!

You can check out the events below, or download the calendar here: 2024 CAP Activity Calendar

Children & Family Services

The Children and Family Services (CFS) program is designed to preserve, protect, and strengthen the children and families of the Bering Strait Region Tribes.

Services Include:
Case Management
Referral to other programs
Parenting & early childhood development training (individual training and support, self-help materials and classes)
Training & skill development in health & nutrition
Stress management training & skill development
Assistance in coordinating transportation between communities

Additional Services:
Respite care and arrangements for respite care
Ground transportation for clients to & from activities (only if transportation is available)
Life-skills training and skill development (i.e. individual and family coping, budgeting, housekeeping, etc.)
Escort clients to placements, treatment, homes & visits
Coordination & monitoring visitation between children & their families
Home visits with individual families to help the families

Tribal Family Coordinators (ICWA Workers) Village Staff

Supervisor: Heather Payenna, Hpayenna@kawerak.org

Name Email: (@kawerak.org) Phone (907) Cell (907) Fax (907) Village
Linda Divers ltocktoo 642-3012 434-1725 642-3042 Brevig Mission
Celeste Menadelook cmenadelook 779-2385 779-2000 779-2000 Diomede (based in Golovin)
Joe Murray jmurrayjr 890-2457 434-1647 890-2458 Elim
Lorianne Koonooka lkoonooka 985-5118 434-1591 985-5114 Gambell
Stephanie Sampson ssampson 779-3489 434-1470 779-2000 Golovin
Qattaq Kaitlyn Painter qattaq 443-4497 434-2374 443-8049 King Island
Elaine Kimoktoak ekimoktoak 963-2215 434-1695 443-5181 Koyuk
Dolly Kugzruk dkugzruk 642-2185 434-1704 642-3000 Mary’s Igloo/Teller
Chantal Miklahook cmiklahook 984-6758 434-1629 984-6759 Savoonga
Rhonda Langley rlangley 955-2444 434-1772 955-2443 Shaktoolik
Jeanette Iyatunguk jiyatunguk 649-3078 434-6047 649-2278 Shishmaref
VACANT (St Michael) hpayenna 434-4261 434-6049 443-5181 St. Michael
Lydia Raymond-Snowball lraymond-snowball 934-2334 434-1597 934-2675 Stebbins
VACANT (Wales) hpayenna 434-4261 434-6049 443-5181 Wales
Yvette Barr-Apok ybarr-apok 638-2008 434-1703 638-2009 White Mountain

Nome Staff

Call Tollfree at 1-800-478-5153

Name Email: (@kawerak.org) Phone (907) Cell (907) Fax (907) Position
Carol Piscoya cfsvp 443-4245 443-4445 Community Services Division Vice President
Traci McGarry tmcgarry 443-4376 434-6048 443-4474 Children & Family Services Program Director
Heather Payenna hpayenna 443-4261 434-6049 443-5181 Children & Family Services Manager
Kirstie Henry Henry 443-4372 434-1693 443-4441 Foster Care Recruiter
Desjarles (DJ) Bright dbright 443-4374 434-0595 443-4441 Caseworker
CFS Coordinator VACANT 443-4376 434-6048 443-4441 Caseworker
Meghan Topkok mtopkok 443-4325 434-1484 Kawerak Staff Attorney

Nome Staff

Call Tollfree at 1-800-478-5153

Name Email: (@kawerak.org) Phone (907) Cell (907) Fax (907) Position
Sheila Randazzo srandazzo 434-6046 ICWA Specialist
Jenna Homekingkeo jhomekingkeo 434-6694 Children & Family Services Advocate
Ali Wykis awykis 434-0660 Child Welfare Attorney

Child Advocacy Center Staff

CAC On Call Phone: 907-304-1014

CAC Fax: 907-443-4474

Name Email: (@kawerak.org) Phone (907) Cell (907) Position
Carol Piscoya cfsvp 443-4245 Community Services Division Vice President
Traci McGarry tmcgarry 443-4376 434-6048 Children & Family Services Program Director
VACANT tmcgarry 443-4376 434-6048 Child Advocacy Center Manger
Jennifer Dean Johnson jdean-johnson 443-4383 434-1464 Forensic Interviewer/Educator
Dana Langston dlangston 434-1062 Clinician
Penny Schaeffer pschaeffer 443-4472 434-6009 Client Advocate

Family Services Contacts (not compact)

Nome Eskimo Community (NEC), Village of Solomon (VOS), Native Village of Unalakleet (NVU) and Native Village of Council (NVC) do not compact ICWA with Kawerak.

Name Email: Phone (907) Cell (907) Fax (907) Position
Lola Tobuk lola.tobuk@necalaska.org 339-1540 782-6550 222-2996 Nome Eskimo Community Director
Jadyn Bright jbright@necalaska.org 339-1542 782-5117 222-2996 NEC ICWA Specialist
Elizabeth Alowa ealowa@necalaska.org 339-1541 782-6550 222-2996 ICWA Specialist
Annalise Contreras acontreras@necalaska.org 339-1543 434-1590 222-2996 Family Preservation CM
Sherri Lewis tc.sol@kawerak.org 443-4985 443-5189 Tribal Coordinator Solomon
Courtney Johnson tfc.unk@unkira.org 624-3622 625-1633 624-5104 Tribal Family Coordinator Unalakleet
Rhonda West tc.cou@kawerak.org 443-7649 443-5965 Tribal Coordinator Council

We strive to empower individuals and their families, cultivate nurturing home environments and to educate individuals, families and communities.

Child Abuse and Neglect

Children and Family Services provides services to abused and neglected children and assists with the cultural competence of the Office of Children’s Services (OCS) to ensure cultural values are preserved and respected for the benefit of Alaska Native Families.

If you suspect that a child is being abused or neglected CALL Office of Children’s Services statewide 1-800-478-4444  or by email to reportchildabuse@alaska.gov. Find out more information about reporting at http://dhss.alaska.gov/ocs/Pages/childrensjustice/mandatoryreporting.aspx.

If you are unsure whether or not to report, please report or ask a mandated report or call the Child Advocacy Center at 907-443-4488. You can also find more information online at https://kawerak.org/community-services/child-advocacy-center/.

Indian Child Welfare Act

The Indian Child Welfare Act, (ICWA) is the federal law created in 1978 “…to protect the best interests of Indian children and promote the stability and security of Indian families and tribes.” ICWA works to promote the preservation and protection of tribal member children, families and community. If the removal of an Indian child is necessary, the Act assures that efforts are made to preserve cultural ties by placing a child with an Indian family or organization. Tribal Family Coordinators are Para-professionals that reside in their respective communities and are trained to intervene in all Child in Need of Aid Proceedings and to represent their tribe’s best interest in these proceedings.

Foster Care/Adoption Services

Children and Family Services, Foster Care Specialists recruits and certifies Native and non-native homes to serve as foster care placements for children removed from their homes. Licensed foster homes are homes approved by the Office of Children’s Services that meet a standard of care established in the foster care regulations. The Foster Care Recruiter will provide the following technical assistance to foster parents and potential foster homes.

  • Assistance with the application process
  • Ensure homes are able to pass licensing regulations and statutes
  • Reference checks
  • Fingerprinting
  • Forwarding completed packets to OCS Fairbanks for final approval and licensing.

Contact the Foster Care Recruiter:
Kirstie Ione
kione@kawerak.org
Phone: (907) 434-1693
Toll Free: 1-800-478-5153

Resources:

Alaska Center for Resource Families
Tips, training, and the Resource Family Handbook
www.acrf.org

You need:

  • A willingness to open your home to a child in need
  • Patience, understanding, and a non-judgmental attitude
  • Willingness to adapt to continuously changing regulations
  • A willingness to deal with uncertainty and the temporary nature of fostering

Children are our most precious resource. Help keep them safe.

To be a Foster parent:

  • You DON’T have to be married
  • You DON’T have to be a homeowner
  • You DON’T need a lot of money
  • You DON’T have to live in a big house
  • You CAN work full-time
  • You CAN get licensed for a specific age group or child

Children need to remain connected to know who they are. All children want to stay close to their home, family and remain within their traditions and cultures. To do this we need more foster homes in the Bering Strait Region, both in villages and in Nome.

  • The satisfaction of seeing a dramatic improvement in a child’s condition and behavior once their needs are met
  • An enriching family experience
  • Keeping more tribal members in their home community and region
  • Making a difference in the life of a child

There is always room for one more. <3

  • Must be 21 years old.
  • Have no physical health impairments, mental health conditions, or substance use that will pose a risk to a child or affect the adult’s ability to care for a child.
  • Everyone in the household over 16 must complete fingerprinting and pass a background check.*
  • Agree not to use any form of physical discipline with a child in care.
  • Support the case plan for the family, including reunification with family or placement with relatives.
  • Provide references to the Office of Children’s Services that will speak to your character, judgement, and ability to care for children.

*A variance can be completed for certain background check items. Contact the Foster Care Recruiter for more information.

Other Helpful Resources:

Alaska Center for Resource Families
Tips, training, and the Resource Family Handbook
www.acrf.org

Good Foster Homes are Always Needed

Foster parents that make their homes available for children make a gift to their community, as well as the children in their care.

For more information regarding Foster Care contact the Foster Care Recruiter @ 434-1693, OCS at 1-800-770-5247 or the Alaska Foster Parent Training Center @ 1-800-478-7303. You can also download the Foster Home application.

Call CFS for More Info

Go Blue – April is Child Abuse Prevention Month

The Child Advocacy Center has teamed up with other departments and organizations to bring you Child Abuse Prevention Month activities! Don’t forget to wear your blue!

You can check out the events below, or download the calendar here: 2024 CAP Activity Calendar

Children & Family Services

The Children and Family Services (CFS) program is designed to preserve, protect, and strengthen the children and families of the Bering Strait Region Tribes.

Services Include:
Case Management
Referral to other programs
Parenting & early childhood development training (individual training and support, self-help materials and classes)
Training & skill development in health & nutrition
Stress management training & skill development
Assistance in coordinating transportation between communities

Additional Services:
Respite care and arrangements for respite care
Ground transportation for clients to & from activities (only if transportation is available)
Life-skills training and skill development (i.e. individual and family coping, budgeting, housekeeping, etc.)
Escort clients to placements, treatment, homes & visits
Coordination & monitoring visitation between children & their families
Home visits with individual families to help the families

Tribal Family Coordinators (ICWA Workers) Village Staff

Supervisor: Heather Payenna, Hpayenna@kawerak.org

Name Email: (@kawerak.org) Phone (907) Cell (907) Fax (907) Village
Linda Divers ltocktoo 642-3012 434-1725 642-3042 Brevig Mission
Celeste Menadelook cmenadelook 779-2385 779-2000 779-2000 Diomede (based in Golovin)
Joe Murray jmurrayjr 890-2457 434-1647 890-2458 Elim
Lorianne Koonooka lkoonooka 985-5118 434-1591 985-5114 Gambell
Stephanie Sampson ssampson 779-3489 434-1470 779-2000 Golovin
Qattaq Kaitlyn Painter qattaq 443-4497 434-2374 443-8049 King Island
Elaine Kimoktoak ekimoktoak 963-2215 434-1695 443-5181 Koyuk
Dolly Kugzruk dkugzruk 642-2185 434-1704 642-3000 Mary’s Igloo/Teller
Chantal Miklahook cmiklahook 984-6758 434-1629 984-6759 Savoonga
Rhonda Langley rlangley 955-2444 434-1772 955-2443 Shaktoolik
Jeanette Iyatunguk jiyatunguk 649-3078 434-6047 649-2278 Shishmaref
VACANT (St Michael) hpayenna 434-4261 434-6049 443-5181 St. Michael
Lydia Raymond-Snowball lraymond-snowball 934-2334 434-1597 934-2675 Stebbins
VACANT (Wales) hpayenna 434-4261 434-6049 443-5181 Wales
Yvette Barr-Apok ybarr-apok 638-2008 434-1703 638-2009 White Mountain

Nome Staff

Call Tollfree at 1-800-478-5153

Name Email: (@kawerak.org) Phone (907) Cell (907) Fax (907) Position
Carol Piscoya cfsvp 443-4245 443-4445 Community Services Division Vice President
Traci McGarry tmcgarry 443-4376 434-6048 443-4474 Children & Family Services Program Director
Heather Payenna hpayenna 443-4261 434-6049 443-5181 Children & Family Services Manager
Kirstie Henry Henry 443-4372 434-1693 443-4441 Foster Care Recruiter
Desjarles (DJ) Bright dbright 443-4374 434-0595 443-4441 Caseworker
CFS Coordinator VACANT 443-4376 434-6048 443-4441 Caseworker
Meghan Topkok mtopkok 443-4325 434-1484 Kawerak Staff Attorney

Nome Staff

Call Tollfree at 1-800-478-5153

Name Email: (@kawerak.org) Phone (907) Cell (907) Fax (907) Position
Sheila Randazzo srandazzo 434-6046 ICWA Specialist
Jenna Homekingkeo jhomekingkeo 434-6694 Children & Family Services Advocate
Ali Wykis awykis 434-0660 Child Welfare Attorney

Child Advocacy Center Staff

CAC On Call Phone: 907-304-1014

CAC Fax: 907-443-4474

Name Email: (@kawerak.org) Phone (907) Cell (907) Position
Carol Piscoya cfsvp 443-4245 Community Services Division Vice President
Traci McGarry tmcgarry 443-4376 434-6048 Children & Family Services Program Director
VACANT tmcgarry 443-4376 434-6048 Child Advocacy Center Manger
Jennifer Dean Johnson jdean-johnson 443-4383 434-1464 Forensic Interviewer/Educator
Dana Langston dlangston 434-1062 Clinician
Penny Schaeffer pschaeffer 443-4472 434-6009 Client Advocate

Family Services Contacts (not compact)

Nome Eskimo Community (NEC), Village of Solomon (VOS), Native Village of Unalakleet (NVU) and Native Village of Council (NVC) do not compact ICWA with Kawerak.

Name Email: Phone (907) Cell (907) Fax (907) Position
Lola Tobuk lola.tobuk@necalaska.org 339-1540 782-6550 222-2996 Nome Eskimo Community Director
Jadyn Bright jbright@necalaska.org 339-1542 782-5117 222-2996 NEC ICWA Specialist
Elizabeth Alowa ealowa@necalaska.org 339-1541 782-6550 222-2996 ICWA Specialist
Annalise Contreras acontreras@necalaska.org 339-1543 434-1590 222-2996 Family Preservation CM
Sherri Lewis tc.sol@kawerak.org 443-4985 443-5189 Tribal Coordinator Solomon
Courtney Johnson tfc.unk@unkira.org 624-3622 625-1633 624-5104 Tribal Family Coordinator Unalakleet
Rhonda West tc.cou@kawerak.org 443-7649 443-5965 Tribal Coordinator Council

We strive to empower individuals and their families, cultivate nurturing home environments and to educate individuals, families and communities.

Child Abuse and Neglect

Children and Family Services provides services to abused and neglected children and assists with the cultural competence of the Office of Children’s Services (OCS) to ensure cultural values are preserved and respected for the benefit of Alaska Native Families.

If you suspect that a child is being abused or neglected CALL Office of Children’s Services statewide 1-800-478-4444  or by email to reportchildabuse@alaska.gov. Find out more information about reporting at http://dhss.alaska.gov/ocs/Pages/childrensjustice/mandatoryreporting.aspx.

If you are unsure whether or not to report, please report or ask a mandated report or call the Child Advocacy Center at 907-443-4488. You can also find more information online at https://kawerak.org/community-services/child-advocacy-center/.

Indian Child Welfare Act

The Indian Child Welfare Act, (ICWA) is the federal law created in 1978 “…to protect the best interests of Indian children and promote the stability and security of Indian families and tribes.” ICWA works to promote the preservation and protection of tribal member children, families and community. If the removal of an Indian child is necessary, the Act assures that efforts are made to preserve cultural ties by placing a child with an Indian family or organization. Tribal Family Coordinators are Para-professionals that reside in their respective communities and are trained to intervene in all Child in Need of Aid Proceedings and to represent their tribe’s best interest in these proceedings.

Foster Care/Adoption Services

Children and Family Services, Foster Care Specialists recruits and certifies Native and non-native homes to serve as foster care placements for children removed from their homes. Licensed foster homes are homes approved by the Office of Children’s Services that meet a standard of care established in the foster care regulations. The Foster Care Recruiter will provide the following technical assistance to foster parents and potential foster homes.

  • Assistance with the application process
  • Ensure homes are able to pass licensing regulations and statutes
  • Reference checks
  • Fingerprinting
  • Forwarding completed packets to OCS Fairbanks for final approval and licensing.

Contact the Foster Care Recruiter:
Kirstie Ione
kione@kawerak.org
Phone: (907) 434-1693
Toll Free: 1-800-478-5153

Resources:

Alaska Center for Resource Families
Tips, training, and the Resource Family Handbook
www.acrf.org

You need:

  • A willingness to open your home to a child in need
  • Patience, understanding, and a non-judgmental attitude
  • Willingness to adapt to continuously changing regulations
  • A willingness to deal with uncertainty and the temporary nature of fostering

Children are our most precious resource. Help keep them safe.

To be a Foster parent:

  • You DON’T have to be married
  • You DON’T have to be a homeowner
  • You DON’T need a lot of money
  • You DON’T have to live in a big house
  • You CAN work full-time
  • You CAN get licensed for a specific age group or child

Children need to remain connected to know who they are. All children want to stay close to their home, family and remain within their traditions and cultures. To do this we need more foster homes in the Bering Strait Region, both in villages and in Nome.

  • The satisfaction of seeing a dramatic improvement in a child’s condition and behavior once their needs are met
  • An enriching family experience
  • Keeping more tribal members in their home community and region
  • Making a difference in the life of a child

There is always room for one more. <3

  • Must be 21 years old.
  • Have no physical health impairments, mental health conditions, or substance use that will pose a risk to a child or affect the adult’s ability to care for a child.
  • Everyone in the household over 16 must complete fingerprinting and pass a background check.*
  • Agree not to use any form of physical discipline with a child in care.
  • Support the case plan for the family, including reunification with family or placement with relatives.
  • Provide references to the Office of Children’s Services that will speak to your character, judgement, and ability to care for children.

*A variance can be completed for certain background check items. Contact the Foster Care Recruiter for more information.

Other Helpful Resources:

Alaska Center for Resource Families
Tips, training, and the Resource Family Handbook
www.acrf.org

Good Foster Homes are Always Needed

Foster parents that make their homes available for children make a gift to their community, as well as the children in their care.

For more information regarding Foster Care contact the Foster Care Recruiter @ 434-1693, OCS at 1-800-770-5247 or the Alaska Foster Parent Training Center @ 1-800-478-7303. You can also download the Foster Home application.

Call CFS for More Info

FORMS & APPLICATIONS

CONTACT INFORMATION

  • Kawerak, Inc.
    P.O. Box 948
    Nome, AK 99762

  • 907.443.4376
    907.443.4261
  • 907.443.4474

  • cfs@kawerak.org