Nez Perce social services support the wellbeing and self-sufficiency of families.
BIA Welfare Assistance
The Bureau of Indian Affairs Welfare Assistance helps clients become self-sufficient by:
- Creating a self-sufficiency plan
- Finding and maintaining work and other financial resources
- Receiving financial assistance while seeking other types of income
To see if you are eligible for services, you’ll need to complete an application and interview.
Contact: 208-843-2463 | jackiem@nezperce.org
Child Protection Services
Child Protection Services protects the safety and wellbeing of children and promotes family unity.
Contact: 208-843-7302 | joniw@nezperce.org
Indian Child Welfare
The Indian Child Welfare Office ensures the wellbeing of Indian children on the Nez Perce Reservation and Nez Perce children living off the reservation who are wards of the court. The program:
- Ensures court compliance with ICWA
- Monitors state compliance with ICWA
- Provides transportation, referrals, and foster care support
Children’s Home
Children who need a safe, healthy place to stay can live at the children’s home for short periods. It’s open to children under 18 who are referred by law enforcement or Child Protection Services.
The children’s home accepts financial donations and donated items, like clothing, non-perishable food, books, and movies.
Contact: 208-843-7304 | joniw@nezperce.org
Financial Assistance
The Financial Assistance Office helps low-income families find financial support, including:
- Assistance for high heating costs
- Elder assistance
- Burial assistance
- Donations and contributions funds
- Emergency housing funds
Contact: 208-843-2463 | tariciam@nezperce.org
I Vision Program
The I Vision youth program engages youth from high school age to age 35 on the Nez Perce Reservation. Participants learn about healthy relationships and build financial literacy.
Contact:
- Lapwai: 208-621-4812
- Kamiah: 208-621-4814
Senior Citizens Program
The Senior Citizens Program provides services for elders to promote self-sufficiency, including meal delivery and transportation, and preserve their cultural values and traditions.
Contact:
- Lapwai: 208-843-7311
- Kamiah: 208-935-2526
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
TANF connects participants with education, training, and employment and provides assistance for low-income families to care for their children.
To receive assistance, applicants must:
- Be enrolled with the Nez Perce Tribe
- Qualify as low-income
- Sign and follow an employability development plan
See the TANF Application Checklist.
Families can receive TANF benefits for up to 60 months, and are reevaluated every 3 months to see if they are still eligible.
Contact: 208-843-2464 | consuelog@nezperce.org
USDA Food and Nutrition Services
The USDA Food and Nutrition Services program promotes health by providing education about nutrition, delivering meals to homebound community members, and improving access to nutritional foods for low-income families. Food distribution centers are located in Lapwai and Kamiah, ID.
Contact:
- Lapwai: 208-843-7305
- Kamiah: 208-935-4115
‘Úuyit Kímti- Women’s Outreach
The Nez Perce Women’s Outreach Program provides services for victims of intimate partner violence, sexual assault, stalking, and elder abuse. The program offers transitional housing for victims and creates awareness campaigns for the community to help prevent violence.
Contact:
Warm Fires Resource Center
208-621-4690 | 24-hour number, 1-855-803-4685
kareep@nezperce.org
101 Agency Road, Lapwai, ID 83540
Seeking assistance from the Women’s Outreach Program is confidential. Your information will not be shared without your written permission.
Resources for Victims of Violence
Additional resources for victims of violence:
- Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE
- YWCA of Lewiston and Clarkston: 1-800-669-3176
Counseling for Offenders
Nimiipuu Health offers counseling and support groups for those who have acted violently against their partner or family members.
Contact: Behavioral Health Department, 208-843-2271
Veterans Program
The Veterans Benefits Office helps connect veterans and their families to the benefits and services they earned.
Contact:
- Veterans Benefits: 208-621-4738 | 208-791-8596 | mtaylor@nezperce.org