It is our aim to prevent child maltreatment among families at risk through the provision of supportive family services as well as to preserve intact families when family problems can be addressed effectively. When these problems cannot be addressed effectively and Ottawa children are removed from their homes and placed in foster care, we work diligently with DHS and other service providers to address the problems and needs of the family so that reunification may occur in a safe and stable manner. When it becomes necessary for an Ottawa child to be adopted, we provide support for our adoptive families so they can make a lifetime commitment to our children.

The Ottawa Tribe of Oklahoma is in the process of developing a robust foster care program that will enable tribal members to become legally certified through the tribe to open their homes as foster/adoptive parents to Native American children. If this is something that you are interested in learning more about, you can begin by filling out an application and submitting it to the Ottawa Tribe’s ICW department. We very much look forward to teaming with you to reclaim a generation of children who desperately need the love and protection of a caring family.

We are guided by the following mandates: 

• To protect and promote the welfare of all children

• To prevent the neglect, abuse, and exploitation of children

• To support at-risk families through services which allow children, where appropriate, to remain safely with their families or return to their families in a timely manner

• To promote the safety, permanence, and well-being of children in foster care and adoptive families

Contact

Rhonda Hayworth

Director of Social Services
E-mail: rhonda.oto@gmail.com
Office:918-540-1536