FireLodge Children & Family Services advocates for and protects children and vulnerable adults who are at risk of being abused or neglected. Services provided include court advocacy, investigations, prevention services, parenting education, counseling, foster home approval, and adoption.
FireLodge Children & Family Services operates with four programs: Indian Child Welfare, foster care/adoption, family preservation, and adult protective services.
Indian Child Welfare Program
The Indian Child Welfare Program provides child protection and permanency planning services for families of Potawatomi children.
Child protective services offer intervention to protect children and help families with any difficulties risking the safety of their children. While every attempt is made to preserve the family, if a child’s safety cannot be controlled, then court intervention, including placing the child into out-of-home care, may be necessary.
Once a child is placed into out-of-home care, a permanency planning worker provides services to families, including assisting family members, developing an individualized treatment plan, consulting with service providers to support the family, providing culturally appropriate placements for children, returning children to their own homes as soon as their needs are met and in their parent(s) home, and arranging a permanent plan when a return to the home is not possible.
Foster Care/Adoption Services
The foster care/adoption program processes adoption paperwork for children and assesses applicants wishing to become a foster or adoptive home. Families willing to foster or adopt Potawatomi children are continually needed. Foster and adoptive parents guide and support children in their greatest time of need while recognizing they have experienced trauma.
To become a foster or adoptive parent, prospective applicants must support reunification and lasting relationships of a child with his or her family, be at least 21 years of age, be a member of a federally recognized tribe, live in Oklahoma, and be able to financially support oneself. To be considered for approval, applicants must submit to all requirements of the approval process, including background checks, training, and participating in a thorough home study assessment.
Family Preservation Program
The goal of the family preservation program is to preserve Native American families and sustain an environment of safety and well-being by addressing family issues through a holistic approach. In order to be considered eligible for the program, families must be at risk of removal of the child(ren), have an identified need, and actively participate in the program.
Services provided by family preservation include parenting classes, budgeting classes, family support, case management, referrals to community resources, and in-home services.
Adult Protective Services Program
Adult Protective Services provides vulnerable Potawatomi adults with protection from abuse, neglect or exploitation, and more. The staff provides help with proper medical care, self-maintenance skills, personal hygiene, adequate food, shelter, and protection.
If you feel a vulnerable adult needs emergency response for immediate health and safety risks, please contact 911 immediately.