Employment and Training
The Citizen Potawatomi Nation has integrated employment, training, and related services through Public Law 102-477 authority. This provides greater flexibility to meet the specific needs of the Indian population in central Oklahoma.
Under P. L. 102-477, Employment & Training combines funding from Department of Labor (DOL), Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), and Health & Human Services (HHS). Although no additional federal dollars are associated with this law, it does allow and encourage combining of resources that has resulted in lowered administrative costs and more dollars reaching participants.
APPLICATIONS:
Employment & Training Program Overview (click here)
Employment & Training Application (click here)
Higher Education Grant - Employment & Training (click here)
ELIGIBILITY:
Services are offered with the goal of self-sufficiency. All programs administered by Employment & Training target economically disadvantaged, unemployed, or under-employed Indians. An application process is required. Receipt of any assistance is on an un-met needs basis, the applicant's meeting specific program requirements, and availability of funding. Not all services are of a financial nature.
SERVICE AREA:
Through cooperative agreements with the Kickapoo Tribe of Oklahoma, the Sac & Fox Nation, and the Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma, the Citizen Potawatomi Nation Employment & Training service area extends to include Lincoln, Payne, and Cleveland counties, as well as Pottawatomie County. The service area also includes the eastern portion of Oklahoma County, east of Post Road.
LOCATION OF SERVICES PROVIDED
This begins at the main office located within the Tribal Administration Building at 1601 S. Gordon Cooper Dr, Shawnee, OK. Counselors and support staff are available Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. The direct phone number to Employment & Training is (405) 275-5269. Satellite offices to reach the extended service area include:
Norman
Thursdays, 10am – 2pm
McLoud
Wednesdays, 10am – 2pm
Perkins*
Tuesdays, 10am – 2pm (*Alternating Weeks)
Stroud*
Tuesdays, 10am – 2pm (*Alternating Weeks)
(Special accommodations may be made for those with transportation difficulties.)
EMPLOYMENT COUNSELORS
They offer participants a boost in their job search/application techniques. Resume writing, job referral, interview tips, and other employment-related services are provided.
Opportunities include subsidized as well as unsubsidized employment. Employment opportunities have no limitation. Hands-on job training with actual work experience and on-the-job training programs may be determined appropriate for some participants.
Vocational Exploration placements are designed to explore potential career options. Work Experience placements are designed to help those who might need a boost in joining the workforce. Direct Employment Assistance is designed to assist Indian people residing in CPN former reservation area and who have obtained a permanent full-time job but still need help with initial expenses for travel, meals, specialized clothing, etc. until they receive their first check.
On-the-job training is used to encourage employers to choose an E&T participant over other similarly qualified applicants. Past opportunities have ranged from day care, general clerical, receptionist, medical, mechanical, bakery, restaurant, customer-oriented services, and many others. Both public and private businesses and organizations (whether for-profit or not-for profit) have benefited from employees obtained through CPN employment services as well as various tribal enterprises.
EDUCATION COUNSELORS
Offers assistance based on un-met needs. Education assistance ranges from completing grant applications such as FAFSA (PELL), Adult-Basic Education (ABE), GED studies, Certification Training, Adult Vocational Training, to Higher Education for bachelor degrees.
ABE and GED assistance is offered one-on-one on-site or may be facilitated through other general public programs. Participants can choose to obtain training through vocational technical schools; two-year and four-year college programs; and more.
Past students have selected courses, which included a focus on nursing, business, dental, medical, fiber optics, and much more. Basic classroom supplies may be provided as well as supplies specifically required by the course. Participants are encouraged and required to seek alternate funding.
In some cases the financial need has been met through other tribal or federal grants with the only remaining need being transportation assistance. All education participants seeking degrees must provide a Financial Needs Summary completed by the institute of higher learning.
YOUTH SERVICES COUNSELORS
Assists youth with necessary school supplies, summer enrichment camps, up to and including courses offered in a classroom setting held on a college campus, and actual employment placements. The work experience uses a variety of work sites with emphasis on basic work habits and the individual interests and needs of the youth.
Summer enrichment camps place special emphasis on education in Life Skills, Substance Abuse, financial management, and computer learning. Concurrent college enrollment is also offered for our eligible high school students.
Referrals for appropriate counseling services are available in the areas of substance abuse education, gang education, teenage pregnancy, parenting, stress, and anger management. In both the classroom environment and the work placements, emphasis is placed on maintaining self-esteem and personal responsibility for individual actions.
NATIVE AMERICAN VOCATIONAL TRAINING EDUCATION PROGRAM (NAVTEP):
The Citizen Potawatomi Nation successfully has obtained a grant to provide assistance to high school students attending six CareerTechs (Vocational Technical Schools) in central Oklahoma. Stipends and tutoring services are available for students who meet and maintain the eligibility qualifications. Funding is limited.
SEXUAL ABSTINENCE PLANNING GRANT:
The Citizen Potawatomi Nation also successfully obtained a competitive grant to promote sexual abstinence among Native American through education. The goal is create an Oklahoma Native American Abstinence Education Coalition to plan and coordinate abstinence education state-wide for Indian youth, ages 12 to 18.
SUPPORTIVE SERVICES
Are offered through all E&T Counselors based on individual participant needs and barriers. Miscellaneous supportive services provide funding to maintain self-sufficiency in crisis situations or to overcome specific barriers to success. Participants who demonstrate efforts to help themselves are given first priority. A twelve-month history of assistance is reviewed and a cap on total supportive services applies.
WITHIN THE SOCIAL SERVICES COMPONENT, General Assistance, BIA Indigent Burial Assistance, the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), and other related services are administered.
In this component, the eligibility for services varies depending on residence. Most of these programs are limited to the former reservation boundaries plus near-reservation designation of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation. This area is bounded on the North by the North Canadian River, on the South by the South Canadian River, on the West by the Seminole County line and on the East by a line lying approximately 6½ miles west of the Indian Meridan (Post Road in Oklahoma County, and 60th St in Norman, Cleveland County).
The Citizen Potawatomi Nation former reservation service area covers most of Pottawatomie county and portions of Cleveland and Oklahoma counties. Social Services funds provided may range from home energy crisis assistance to vehicle fuel vouchers for job search, doctor’s appointments, and other miscellaneous assistance.
THE COMPUTER LEARNING LAB
Located at the main office in Shawnee, is available to all program participants, tribal employees, and tribal members. An Education counselor is dedicated to provide one-on-one GED instruction as well as other Adult Basic Education (ABE) assistance in the Learning Lab.
Computer-assisted training is also available with common computer software products such as the Microsoft Office package. Internet access is an added feature available for those who need to make on-line connections for research, grant applications, resume-writing, job search, and more.
CHILD CARE ASSISTANCE:
The Citizen Potawatomi Nation operates its own child care facility. Because of the close relationship with and needs of Employment & Training participants, the childcare program is included under the P. L. 102-477 consolidation efforts and is closely coordinated.
Childcare is offered at the state licensed, two-star rated, on-site day care facility as well as out-sourced to other licensed programs. In addition, childcare services may be supplemented in home care situations. Additional information regarding availability and eligibility is available by contacting the Citizen Potawatomi Nation Child Care center at 405-878-4861.
REFERRALS AND NETWORKING:
The Employment and Training Program is designed to support participants in their individual efforts to attain and maintain economic self-sufficiency. Low-income is considered a factor but is not exclusive.
Barriers faced by our Indian participants are many. These range from transportation issues to family situations and Child Care issues. E&T staffs, as well as other tribal employees, actively work with local organizations, businesses, churches, DHS, and other tribal programs to fill the gap to meet the household needs of the participant. Our staff continues to actively seek new ideas and ways to support this effort.
PROCESS:
An application for E&T services is not considered complete until all required documents are received and an assessment test has been administered. Depending on the needs identified in the application and the initial evaluation by the Admissions Counselor, each participant’s file will be reviewed by the Director or Assistant Director for approval.
Based on the information contained in the application, a counselor will be assigned to provide individual assistance. For some participants with multiple needs, a primary and a secondary counselor will be assigned.
Depending on services requested or needed, the counselor may request additional documentation. In the event the applicant is related or closely associated with the counselor, an alternate counselor will be assigned. Incomplete or pending applications are held for 30 days. After 90 days of inactivity, files will be considered closed.
FRAUDULENT INFORMATION
Assistance offered through the CPN E&T Program is made possible through federal grants from the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Dept. of Labor, Dept. of Health and Human Services, and Dept. of Education. Knowingly providing information that is untrue or false is considered fraud and will be subject to federal prosecution.
Uniform Grievance & Appeals Procedure:
The Tribe has established a uniform grievance and appeals procedure applicable to all participants and tribal staff within this 477 program engaged in any type of activity included under the 477 Plan and Employment & Training Program.
The procedure insures due process and establishes a series of levels, starting with informal resolution at the staff level. The final level of appeal is to a committee including the Department Director and two other senior level tribal administrative staff members. Appeals to the final level must be in writing and submitted within 10 business days of the action being appealed. Participant will be advised of determination(s) within ten business days of receipt of written complaint(s). The levels are as follows:
Step 1: Informal/Verbal Complaint -Resolve informally at staff level.
Step 2: Written Complaint: Time and Date received noted, staff relays to Department Director (or Assistant Director). Participant is contacted directly. Director or Assistant Director investigates/reviews complaint. Once a determination is made, the participant is advised.
Step 3: Final Formal Complaint: If unable to resolve or participant is not satisfied with Director’s determination, a written request for Final Review may be made by the participant. Department Director will relay all pertinent written documentation to senior level tribal administrative staff that includes one or more of the following as applicable: Human Resources Director, Deputy Administrator, Vice Chairman, or Tribal Chairman.
Step 4: All written grievances will be reviewed in accordance with the Tribe’s by-laws. Step four applies only when the grievance specifically involves an elected official.
Director Carol Clay-Levi at 405-275-5269