TRIBAL GOVERNMENT SERVICES

Workforce Development

Applications can be found here

The Workforce Development Department (WFD) administers several programs under the Public Law 102-477 to promote employment, training, and related services to eligible tribal members enrolled into a Federally Recognized Tribe and their families. 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, signed, and dated application for services along with necessary supporting documents,
  • Tribal member verification of a Federally Recognized Tribe,
  • Proof of residency within the Maniilaq service area,
  • Male applicants must register or be registered for the Selective Service for WIOA services (20 CFR Part 652 et al., 668.300 (c)),
  • Applicants must be economically disadvantaged, at risk, unemployed, or under employed, and have a financial need or income at or below 70% of the Lower Living Standard (LLSIL) or have income below the DHHS poverty level for Alaska.
  • Individual or Family Self-Sufficiency Plan (ISP or FSSP) prior to receipt of services,
  • Depending on each program, additional information may be needed, to include income, financial institution information, employment verifications, child support, etc.

The level of services accessible to applicants will be dependent on funding authorized by the tribal resolution. Current tribes authorized are Ambler, Buckland, Deering, Kiana, Kivalina, Kobuk, Kotzebue, Noatak, Noorvik, Selawik and Shungnak.

WORKFORCE INNOVATION OPPORTUNITY ACT (WIOA)
Funding available to eligible individuals attending an education or employment program to become self-sufficient. Program utilizes income to determine eligibility.

  • WIOA Adults (25 or older) who are enrolled into a short term course, certificate program or vocational training may be eligible to receive financial assistance for tuition, fees, lodging, meals, and/or other related training costs.
  • WIOA Youth assistance to applicants 14-24 years of age with training, work experience, on the job training and educational advancement.

JOB PLACEMENT & TRAINING (JPT) AND ADULT VOCATIONAL TRAINING (AVT)

JPT- Funding available to eligible tribal members of Ambler, Deering, Kivalina, Kobuk, Noorvik, and Shungnak to assist in gaining job skills and to find and retain a job leading to self-sufficiency.  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.

AVT – Funding available to tribal members of Ambler, Deering, Kivalina, Kobuk, Noorvik, and Shungnak enrolled into an accredited institution pursuing an education program to become self-sufficient. AVT funding can provide financial assistance for vocational training tuition, fees, lodging, meals, and/or airfare. If your tribe is not listed, please reach out to the tribe (IRA) where you are enrolled to request AVT funding.

ADULT BASIC EDUCATION (ABE)
The ABE Program is administered by the Alaska Technical Center (ATC) in partnership with Maniilaq WFD. ATC can provide services to individuals enrolled into a federally recognized tribe to obtain a General Education Diploma (GED). Individuals must reach out to ATC directly to enroll for their GED Program. This is a pass through grant that WFD provides to ATC on behalf of tribal members.

WELFARE ASSISTANCE
Maniilaq manages the following Welfare Assistance programs under 477: General Assistance, Emergency Assistance, and Burial Assistance. If you are a Kotzebue resident or out of region regardless of tribal enrollment you will need to apply with the Kotzebue IRA or closest tribal organization to your residence.

GENERAL ASSISTANCE (GA)
The General Assistance Program provides financial assistance to tribal members of Ambler, Buckland, Deering, Kiana, Kivalina, Kobuk, Noatak, Noorvik, Selawik, and Shungnak 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, designed to provide relief and support to adults who cannot support themselves by their own means, other public funds, or assistance programs.

EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE (EA)
Emergency Assistance can provide up to $1000.00 to eligible tribal members of Ambler, Buckland, Deering, Kiana, Kivalina, Kobuk, Noatak, Noorvik, Selawik, and Shungnak 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.

BURIAL ASSISTANCE (BA)
Burial Assistance is financial assistance up to $2500.00 to eligible tribal members of Ambler, Buckland, Deering, Kiana, Kivalina, Kobuk, Noatak, Noorvik, Selawik, and Shungnak for payments based on needs of the deceased funeral expenses. An application may be accepted from the survivor spouse, if none, the relative responsible for making arrangements must apply, and provide all documentation required. BIA Burial funds do not allow for reimbursements, and assistance is available only in the absence of other resources. Eligibility is determined based on the income and resources available to the deceased. Deceased must have resided in the Maniilaq service area for six (6) consecutive months prior to passing.

CHILDCARE ASSISTANCE (CCDF)
The Child Care Assistance Program provides financial assistance to tribal members of the Maniilaq service area who meet the income limits for childcare services. Children must be under the age of 13, or under the age of 19 with documentation of mental or physical disability requiring services.

Childcare providers and anyone in the household must forego a State of Alaska background check. Relative providers may forego an alternative background check using the State Court View, the Child Abuse and Neglect Registry and National Sex Offender Registry. Home of care must pass a home visit and be compliant with the Health and Safety requirements for this program.

TRIBAL TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY FAMILIES (TANF)
The Tribal TANF program provides monthly financial assistance for income eligible tribal members 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

Scholarships

PAARAQ SCHOLARSHIP
The Paaraq Scholarship Program is available to eligible tribal members, residing in the Maniilaq service area, who are pursuing a degree at an accredited institution. The Program provides eligible recipients up to $7,500 in financial assistance per calendar year for tuition and other educational expenses. All funds are paid directly to the university/college.

Click here to apply on our online portal: Paaraq Scholarship

Click here to view the Paaraq Scholarship Overview and Policies

Semester Schedule Deadlines – by 11:59pm AKST

Fall Semester – August 15th  / Spring Semester – January 15th / Summer Semester – June 30th

Quarter Schedule Deadlines – by 11:59pm AKST

Fall Quarter – August 15th / Winter Quarter – January 15th / Spring Quarter – March 15th / Summer Quarter – June 30th

JAMES QIGÑAK WELLS SCHOLARSHIP
The James Qigñak Wells Scholarship is available to eligible tribal members, who are enrolled as an undergraduate student at junior standing or higher in a 4-year degree program, graduate, or post-graduate in a masters or doctoral level degree program at an accredited university/college. The Program provides eligible recipients up to $15,000 in financial assistance per calendar year for tuition and other educational expenses. All funds are paid directly to the university/college.

Click here to apply on our online portal: James Qigñak Wells Scholarship

Click here to view the James Qigñak Wells Scholarship Overview and Policies

Semester Schedule Deadlines – by 11:59pm AKST

Fall Semester – August 15th / Spring Semester – January 15th / Summer Semester – June 30th

Quarter Schedule Deadlines – by 11:59pm AKST

Fall Quarter August 15th / Winter Quarter January 15th / Spring Quarter  March 15th / Summer Quarter  June 30th

HIGHER EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP
Higher Education Scholarships can provide financial assistance to tribal members of Ambler, Deering, Kivalina, Kobuk, Noorvik, and Shungnak to support individuals who are attending an accredited university pursuing an Associate, Bachelor or Master’s degree program. The goal of the HE program is to increase education and self-sufficiency. If your tribe is not listed, please reach out to the tribe (IRA) where you are enrolled to request this scholarship.

Higher Education Scholarship Deadlines – by 5:00PM AKST

Fall Semester – August 15th / Spring Semester – January 15th / Summer Semester – June 15th

Click here to access our paper application: Higher Education Scholarship

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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.

Probate & Estate Services

The Probate & 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 Program

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 (Iñupiat word meaning ‘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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