TRIBAL GOVERNMENT SERVICES

Workforce Development

Applications can be found here

Workforce Development administers several programs under Public Law 102-477 to promote employment, training, and related services to eligible tribal members enrolled into a Federally Recognized Tribe. The following programs are available:

  • Department of Labor – Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act (WIOA)
  • Department of Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Job Placement and Training (JTPA)
  • Department of Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Higher Education (HE)
  • Department of Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Adult Basic Education (ABE)
  • Department of Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Welfare/General Assistance- (GA)
  • Department of Health and Human Services – Child Care Development Funds (CCDF)
  • Department of Health and Human Services – Temporary Assistance for Needy    Families (TANF)

All applicants requesting services through Maniilaq Association WFD programs must meet the following basic eligibility requirements:

  • Submit a completed application for services along with necessary supporting documents,
  • Tribal member of a Federally Recognized Tribe,
  • Proof of residency within the Maniilaq service area,
  • Individual or Family Self-Sufficiency Plan (ISP or FSSP) prior to receipt of services.
  • Male applicants must registeror be registered for the Selective Service for WIOA services

WORKFORCE INNOVATION OPPORTUNITY ACT (WIOA)

WIOA funding can be provided to individuals who are enrolled into a federally recognized tribe and attending an education or employment program to become self-sufficient. WIOA is determined by residency.

  • WIOA Vocational (Adults 25 and older) can offer financial assistance for vocational training provided for tuition, fees, lodging, meals, and airfare.
  • WIOA Youth can offer assistance to applicants 14-24 years of age with training, work experience, on the job training and educational advancement.

ADULT VOCATIONAL TRAINING (AVT)

AVT funding can be provided to individuals who are enrolled into a federally recognized tribe and attending an education program to become self-sufficient. The AVT Scholarship can provide financial assistance for vocational training tuition, fees, lodging, meals, and/or airfare.  WFD administers the AVT program by BIA Resolutions for the follow tribes: Ambler, Deering, Kivalina, Kobuk, Noorvik, and Shungnak. If your tribe is not listed, please reach out to your tribe (IRA) where you are enrolled to request AVT funding.

JOB PLACEMENT & TRAINING (JPT)

JPT funding can be provided to tribal members to assist in acquiring job skills necessary for full-time employment.  Individuals must be unemployed, underemployed, or need and can benefit from employment assistance that leads to permanent, gainful, and meaningful employment or who have obtained a job and need financial assistance to retain the job. WFD administers the JPT program by BIA Resolutions for the follow tribes: Ambler, Deering, Kivalina, Kobuk, Noorvik, and Shungnak. If your tribe is not listed, please reach out to your tribe (IRA) where you are enrolled to request JPT funding.

HIGHER EDUCATION (HE)

Higher Education Scholarship can provide financial assistance to help individuals who are tribally enrolled into a federally recognized tribe and attending an accredited College/University for a degree of their choice. The goal of the HE program is to increase self-sufficiency. WFD administers the HE Program by BIA Resolutions for the following tribes: Ambler, Deering, Kivalina, Kobuk, Noorvik, and Shungnak. If your tribe is not listed, please reach out to your tribe (IRA) where you are enrolled to request JPT funding.

ADULT BASIC EDUCATION (ABE)

The ABE Program can provide services to individuals enrolled into a federally recognized tribe to obtain a GED with Alaska Technical Center (ATC), which partners with Maniilaq Association. Individuals must reach out to ATC directly to enroll for their GED Program. Individuals can reach out to Workforce Development for additional questions.

WELFARE ASSISTANCE

Maniilaq manages the following Welfare Assistance programs under 477: General Assistance, Emergency Assistance, and Burial Assistance.

GENERAL ASSISTANCE (GA)

The General Assistance Program provides financial assistance to help individuals who are residing within the Maniilaq Service Area with unmet needs of food, clothing, shelter, utilities, and other costs. The goal of GA is to increase self-sufficiency and is designed to provide relief and support to indigent adults who are not supported by their own means, other public funds, or assistance programs.

WFD administers the GA Program by BIA resolutions for the following tribes Ambler, Buckland, Deering, Kiana, Kivalina, Kobuk, Noatak, Noorvik, Selawik, and Shungnak. If your tribe is not listed, please reach out to your tribe (IRA) where you are enrolled to request General Assistance.

EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE (EA)

Emergency Assistance can provide individuals or families who suffer from a burnout, flood, or other destruction of their home assistance for basic household needs (non-medical). Payments will not exceed the Bureau’s maximum Emergency Assistance established by the Assistant Secretary.

WFD administers the Emergency Assistance by BIA resolutions for the following tribes Ambler, Buckland, Deering, Kiana, Kivalina, Kobuk, Noatak, Noorvik, Selawik, and Shungnak. If your tribe is not listed, please reach out to your tribe (IRA) where you are enrolled to request Emergency Assistance.

BURIAL ASSISTANCE (BA)

Burial Assistance can offer financial assistance payments up to $3,500 or the maximum amount allowable by the Assistant Secretary, based on needs of the deceased funeral expenses.

WFD administers the Burial Assistance by BIA resolutions for the following tribes Ambler, Buckland, Deering, Kiana, Kivalina, Kobuk, Noatak, Noorvik, Selawik, and Shungnak. If your tribe is not listed, please reach out to your tribe (IRA) where you are enrolled to request Emergency Assistance.

CHILDCARE ASSISTANCE (CCDF)

The Child Care Assistance Program provides financial assistance to Alaska Native and Native American families who meet the income limits for child care services in the Maniilaq Service Area. Children must be under the age of 13, or under the age of 19 with documentation of mental or physical disability requiring services.

Child care providers (and anyone age 16 and older in the household where care is taking place) who receive payments under this program must forego a State of Alaska background check. Relative Providers may forgo a comprehensive background check, as an alternative WFD will perform a Court View, the Child Abuse and Neglect Registry and National Sex Offender Registry checks.

TRIBAL TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY FAMILIES (TANF)

The Tribal TANF program provides monthly financial assistance for needy families with children to help them with basic needs while they work toward becoming self-sufficient. 

The four purposes of the Tribal TANF program are to:

  • Provide assistance to needy families so that children can be cared for in their own homes
  • Reduce the dependency of needy parents by promoting job preparation, work and marriage
  • Prevent and reduce the incidence of out-of-wedlock pregnancies
  • Encourage the formation and maintenance of two-parent families

Maniilaq Association WFD emphasizes Employment, Education, and Training supportive services to individuals and families. Many of the service providers within Maniilaq refer participants that need child care and are actively working, taking college/vocational classes, in certificated training, employment “related” activities, or short-term subsistence “related” activities as deemed appropriate for household.

PAARAQ SCHOLARSHIP

The Maniilaq Association Paaraq Scholarship Program is available to eligible tribal members who meet the requirements as listed below:

  • Be an enrolled member in one of the tribes within the Maniilaq service area.
  • Reside in the Maniilaq service area.
  • Be enrolled as an undergraduate student in an associate or bachelor degree program, graduate, or a post-graduate in a masters or doctoral level degree program at an accredited university/college.
  • Cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 2.0 or higher
  • Students, who withdraw whether officially or unofficially, may be deemed ineligible for further award(s) unless they can demonstrate just cause for withdrawal.

The Program provides eligible recipients up to $7,500 in financial assistance per calendar year for tuition and other educational expenses considered non-taxable by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). All funds are paid directly to the university/college. Paaraq Scholarship is not a part of the Public Law 102-477 Programs.

 

Paaraq Scholarship Undergraduate Award Totals

Credits Enrolled           Semester Term            Quarter Term

12+ credits                          $2,500                        $1,875

9 – 11 credits                   $2,000                        $1500

6 – 8 credits                      $1,250                        $950

3 – 5 credits                       $625                           $450

Paaraq Scholarship Post Graduate Scholarship Award Totals

Semester Term            Quarter Term

$2,500                        $1,875

 

JAMES QIGÑAK WELLS SCHOLARSHIP

The Maniilaq Association James Qigñak Wells Scholarship is available to eligible tribal members who meet the requirements as listed below:

  • Be an enrolled member in one of the tribes within the Maniilaq service area,
  • Be enrolled as an undergraduate student at junior standing or higher in a 4-year degree program, graduate, or a post-graduate in a masters or doctoral level degree program at an accredited university/college.
  • Applicants must have a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 2.5 or higher from previous higher education transcript, and returning applicants must have a 2.5 or higher GPA for the previous term funded.
  • Students, who withdraw, whether officially or unofficially, may be deemed ineligible for further award(s) unless they can demonstrate just cause for withdrawal.

The Program provides eligible recipients up to $15,000 in financial assistance per calendar year for tuition and other educational expenses considered non-taxable by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). All funds are paid directly to the university/college. The James Qigñak Wells Scholarship is not a part of the Public Law 102-477 Programs.

 

James Qigñak Wells Scholarship Program Award Total

Credits Enrolled                 Semester Term       Quarter Term

12+ credits                              $5,000                  $3,333

9 – 11 credits                            $3,250                  $2,500

6 – 8 credits                            $2,500                  $1,650

3 – 5 credits                            $1,000                  $825

James Qigñak Wells Post Graduate Scholarship Award Totals

Semester Term            Quarter Term

$5,000                        $3,333

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Tribal assistance programs

Child advocacy center

The Maniilaq Association Child Advocacy Center (CAC) is a child-friendly, culturally relevant environment where caring professionals work together in one location to help children and families cope with sexual abuse, severe physical abuse, and exposure to violence.

Referrals are made to the CAC from the Kotzebue Police Department, Alaska State Troopers, and Office of Children Services. The referring system will then contact the center to make appointments for forensic interviewing and medical examinations.

FORENSIC INTERVIEW:
To eliminate multiple interviews of a child, the CAC offers one location for forensic interviews to take place with specially trained interviewers.

MEDICAL EXAM
The Maniilaq Health Center Sexual Assault Response Team provides forensic medical examinations at the CAC. The exam room is child-friendly and confidential. A child will NEVER be forced to undergo a medical exam or interview against their will.

Family services

Maniilaq Family Services works with families on prevention, permanence, safety, and well-being for Alaska Native children and their families living in Tribal communities of the Northwest Arctic Borough. Family Services works collaboratively with all agencies involved in child welfare to promote a more positive working relationship between the State and Tribal governments to increase ICWA compliance. Family Services provides safety plan monitoring, family casework, and foster home recruitment and retention. We also work to educate the people of our region about child welfare issues in an effort to prevent children from being removed from their homes.

Maniilaq Foster Care Specialists work with potential foster parents to become licensed through the State of Alaska. Foster Care Specialists travel to surrounding villages in the Northwest Arctic Borough to recruit and work with licensed homes to keep them in compliance with State Licensing regulations, including background checks, fingerprinting, training, and home inspections. If you are interested in becoming a foster parent or would like additional information, please call the Foster Care License Specialist at 442-7886.

Family crisis center

Crisis Intervention: Toll Free line: 1-888-478-3969 or 907-442-3969
Office Line: 907-442-3724

Services Provided:

  • Emergency Shelter
  • Advocacy- Supporting and assisting victims/survivors to defend and promote their rights, express their views and concerns, access information and services, and have their voice heard on issues that are important to them.
  • Legal Advocacy- Assisting in court cases, protective orders, and supporting victims/survivors to face their perpetrator.
  • Crisis Intervention
  • Sexual Assault Response Team (SART)
  • Support Groups
  • Emergency Transportation
  • Prevention & Awareness Education
  • Outreach Resources
  • Information & Referrals

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Tribal services

Realty services

Realty Program Services Process Summary

Realty Services Program provides management assistance to restricted native allotment and restricted townsite lots owners and their heirs.
Some of these services include:

If you have a restricted townsite or native allotment or inherited interest in either, you cannot be taxed for your restricted property and must have approval by the BIA if you are planning to sell, gift, deed, lease, or remove the restrictions on your property. In certain circumstances, allottees do not need to pay taxes on income generated from their restricted property.

CONTACT REALTY SERVICES
PHONE (907) 442-7623
TOLL FREE: 1-800-478-3312.
P.O. BOX 256
KOTZEBUE, ALASKA 99752.

Probates & estate services

The Probates & Estate Services Program was created for tribal members to understand the importance of preparing a last will and testament and to understand the probate process and inheritance.

Probate & Estates Services Process Summary

Wills Message

Will Questionnaire

Will Review Checklist

Traditional foods/hunter support

The Hunter Support/Traditional Foods program provides supplemental fish and game to elders aged sixty and over. Through the Hunter Support agreement, the program also provides support funds for tribal governments to enable local volunteers to purchase ammunition, gas, and oil to hunt for village elders who are no longer able to harvest traditional foods on their own.
The Siġluaq (Inupiat for underground cold storage cache or ice cellar) is operated by Maniilaq’s Traditional Foods Program and serves as a traditional foods donation center for Utuqqanaat Inaat Elders and community events. The grand opening took place on July 7, 2015.

Natural Resources Advocacy

Natural Resources Advocacy/ Provides technical assistance to tribes and advocates for subsistence preferences as prescribed in ANILCA and other laws. Provides traditional ecological knowledge to local, regional, state, federal, and international organizations to protect natural resources.

BUCKLAND DEERING KIVALINA KOBUK
NOATAK NOORVIK SELAWIK SHUNGNAK
Public record

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