Mission Statement:

The mission of the NNWS Program is the prevention of the disintegration of its Indian Families through early intervention and remediation services.

When Yakama Children are removed from their customary homes, the NNWS Program Follows established Yakama Nation procedures and services that will assure child custody proceedings reflect the unique values, customs, and laws of Yakama Nation.

The NNWS Program assists other governmental agencies, attorneys, courts, and interested parties comply with the unique values, customs, and laws of the Yakama Nation.

CHILD WELFARE/CASE MANAGEMENT

Nak-Nu-We-Sha case manages tribal foster children. These tasks include, but are not limited to: accessing services for the child, family and placement resources, coordinating and providing transportation for the child, coordinating visitation with the child’s birth or adoptive family, attending staff/meetings, case monitoring, working with school districts and other service providers. Case management under the Yakama Nation are provided with tribal custom and practices.

KINSHIP/FAMILY PRESERVATION

Kinship services assist kinship caregivers with accessing service and resources before situations become crises.
Family Preservation is the movement to help keep children at home with their families rather than in foster homes or institutions by providing therapeutic intervention to strengthen and empower the family.

FOSTER CARE LICENSING

Foster care is a temporary living situation for children and youth who have been removed from their homes due to abuse, neglect, abandonment, and the death of their caregivers. The Nak-Nu-We-Sha Department licenses “foster parents” to regularly provide care on a twenty-four hour basis to one or more children in the person’s home.

BECOME A NATIVE AMERICAN FOSTER PARENT

103 Shearer Lane
P.O. Box 151
Toppenish, WA. 98948
Phone: (509) 865-5121 Ext. 6800
Fax: (509) 865-6869

STAFF

Laretta M. Smiscon • Program Manager
Ext. 6805
[email protected]

Gloria C. Aranda • Case Manager/Social Worker Supervisor
Ext. 6802
[email protected]

Lisa C. Hosteen • Administrative Assistant
Ext. 6800
[email protected]

Leila E. Vigil • Bookkeeper IV
Ext. 6823
[email protected]

Micaela Herrera • Foster Care Licensor
Ext. 6819
[email protected]

Laura Day • Kinship Coordinator
Ext. 6803
[email protected]

Michael Thompson • Kinship Coordinator
Ext. 6821
[email protected]

Josephina C. Alvarado • Social Worker II
Ext. 6814
[email protected]

Rhiannon A. Bill • Social Worker II
Ext. 6820
[email protected]

Esmeralda Correa • Social Worker II
Ext. 6825
[email protected]

Marilaura Gonzalez-Contreras • Social Worker II
Ext. 6809
[email protected]

Clarissa L. Saina • Social Worker II
Ext. 6822
Clarissa [email protected]

Juanita M. Saiz • Social Worker II
Ext. 6806
[email protected]

Eugenia G. Whiteshirt • Social Worker II
Ext. 6804
[email protected]