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
Laretta_Smiscon@yakama.com

Gloria C. Aranda • Case Manager/Social Worker Supervisor
Ext. 6802
Cassey_Aranda@yakama.com

Lisa C. Hosteen • Administrative Assistant
Ext. 6800
Lisa_Hosteen@yakama.com

Leila E. Vigil • Bookkeeper IV
Ext. 6823
Leila_Vigil@yakama.com

Micaela Herrera • Foster Care Licensor
Ext. 6819
Micaela_Herrera@yakama.com

Laura Day • Kinship Coordinator
Ext. 6803
Laura_Day@yakama.com

Michael Thompson • Kinship Coordinator
Ext. 6821
Michael_Thompson@yakama.com

Josephina C. Alvarado • Social Worker II
Ext. 6814
Josephina_Alvarado@yakama.com

Rhiannon A. Bill • Social Worker II
Ext. 6820
Rhiannon_Bill@yakama.com

Esmeralda Correa • Social Worker II
Ext. 6825
Esmeralda_Martinez@yakama.com

Marilaura Gonzalez-Contreras • Social Worker II
Ext. 6809
Marilaura_Contreras@yakama.com

Clarissa L. Saina • Social Worker II
Ext. 6822
Clarissa Saina@yakama.com

Juanita M. Saiz • Social Worker II
Ext. 6806
Juanita_Saiz@yakama.com

Eugenia G. Whiteshirt • Social Worker II
Ext. 6804
Eugenia_Whiteshirt@yakama.com