OCS Celebrates Native American Heritage Month

Graphic that says celebrating Native American heritage month with a photo of a woman and her daughter in the background

Every day, Native American and tribal community leaders reach families and individuals through programs administered by the Administration for Children and Families’ Office of Community Services (OCS).

This Native American Heritage Month, OCS honors and celebrates Native American and Indigenous peoples, and the work of our tribal grant recipients. We wish to lift up their stories and recognize how Native American communities have leveraged OCS programs to make a positive impact on their communities.

Meet some of the individuals, elders, families, and communities served by OCS programs.

Culturally Relevant Programs

OCS programs allow services to be tailored, within program guidelines, to meet the needs of each community. Communication between Native American and tribal community leaders and federal and state partners is critical to maximizing program flexibilities and ensuring culturally relevant and responsive programs.

Many OCS-funded programs require public comment. As a result, plans are often discussed at tribal council meetings or published on tribal or community websites. Use the map below to identify programs being administered in your community and scroll down to learn more about how OCS programs meet the unique needs of families and individuals in tribal communities.

“We’ve been successful at cracking the code… to create access to culturally relevant services. It takes time but… it’s worth it.” 

— Alicia Smith, American Indian Advisor, Minnesota DHS

Map of the United States that shows locations where OCS funds tribes

Interactive Map of Tribes or Tribal Communities with OCS Funding

View the interactive map

Success Stories

OCS social service and community development programs work in a variety of ways to improve lives. Below we provide information on the Diaper Distribution Demonstration and Research Pilot (DDDRP) and the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), highlighting how tribal communities are partnering with OCS and local programs to make an impact.

Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate: Diaper Distribution Pilot

DDDRP is the first federally funded diaper assistance program. In addition to connecting families with a consistent supply of diapers, families are connected to other support services to improve health outcomes for children and their families. There are currently four tribal DDDRP grant recipients including  South Puget Intertribal Planning Agency  (PDF),  Ponca Tribe of Nebraska  (PDF), Chocktaw Nation of Oklahoma (PDF), and  Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate (SWO) of the Lake Traverse Reservation (PDF).

Read below to learn more about how DDDRP expanded resources for children and families for the SWO of the Lake Traverse Reservation:

“With the OCS funding and the operation of the Diaper Distribution Pilot program, we have been able to make a large impact in our community that we are fortunate to hear about from families and programs who utilize our services. Since the first diaper distribution made possible by this grant 13 months ago, we have grown from an initial 130 children to 863 children signed up under our program. We are proud to have made an impact and to be able to reach so many community members beyond the traditional family. In our community there are grandparents, foster parents, and programs with limited funding who serve children in diapers but can’t afford to supply all necessary needs using the money out of their own pocket. Specifically, our ability to serve older children who are in diapers, which has stood out to tribal members who understand the needs of children with disabilities."

“This is a blessing! Thank you so much for everything they’ve helped our family with!”  — Whitney Hansen

“Awesome. The program is very much appreciated along with all that your staff does for our families. Thank you all so much.”  — Wayne and Carlissa Heminger

“Plus, they are so easy to work with, friendly and efficient.”  — Vanessa Carlson

These comments are the praise we hear frequently through distributions. Specifically, we hear appreciation from families who are in emergency situations and may need to gather children’s essentials with limited time and resources. Programs have been very appreciative as well, as some have restricted funding and can only afford generic brands of diapers that we have discovered to cause rashes and allergic reactions to a high number of children.”

Coeur d’Alene Tribe and Nez Perce: Energy Assistance

LIHEAP funds are a critical resource in tribal communities. This funding not only provides direct energy assistance for eligible households, but programs can also use a portion of funds to improve operations, adding to their efficiency and overall impact. Here, we spotlight how two grant recipients have used their funds to support improved program administration in their communities.

Coeur d’Alene Tribe

LIHEAP can help grant recipients implement vital communication and technological enhancements using money set aside for administrative costs. This helps increase ease of service for staff and clients and also improves accessibility and outreach to those most impacted by energy insecurity. The Coeur d’Alene Tribe has used LIHEAP funds in the following ways:

  • A Transition to Online Platforms for Accessibility: One significant project improved accessibility and communication by implementing online systems to streamline Social Services Department processes. These improvements included a user-friendly digital application for LIHEAP and the use of QR Codes on the program flyer, which enhanced service access for clients facing mobility challenges. Combined with expanded online outreach using tools like Google Business and Canva, these efforts increased client satisfaction and operational efficiency and also strengthened community connection across various tribal programs.

  • Enhanced Outreach and Communication: A new master mailing list was established to ensure consistent outreach. This list will allow LIHEAP to mail flyers and applications to all prior-year applicants at the start of each fiscal year, facilitating better access and continuity in support. This proactive approach will keep eligible households informed annually and help streamline application renewals, reinforcing the community’s access to vital energy assistance programs. 

  • Implementation of Applicant Files: Organizing applicant files has enhanced coordination and tracking across programs like Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Native Employment Works (NEW), and LIHEAP by creating a structured file for each applicant. This system allows staff to streamline client intake, manage assistance timelines more effectively, and minimize redundancies, providing a seamless support experience for clients accessing multiple services. Additionally, it improves the accuracy and accountability of required documents, ensuring efficient use of program resources.

Nez Perce

OCS funding plays a crucial role in enhancing the quality of life for many rural areas, providing essential support to elders and families. This funding is vital in ensuring that families can heat their homes, maintain safe temperatures for food and medicine, and much more. Beyond immediate needs, OCS funding also contributes to a better overall quality of life for rural families. By alleviating financial stress associated with heating and energy storage, families can focus on other important aspects of their lives, such as education, health, and community involvement.

The following are some examples of how the community benefits from LIHEAP funding at Nez Perce:

  • Elder Assistance: One of the most notable successes of LIHEAP funding on the reservation is its support for elders. Many elders live on fixed incomes, making it difficult to afford rising energy costs. With LIHEAP assistance, elders can maintain comfortable and safe living environments during the harsh winter months without fear of utility shutoffs.

  • Family Support: LIHEAP has empowered numerous families by providing the financial assistance needed to keep their homes heated. For families with young children, this support helps ensure a safe and warm environment, which is essential for healthy development.

  • Community Engagement: The stability offered by LIHEAP funding has allowed members of the community to engage more fully in local activities and initiatives. With reduced financial stress, families can participate in cultural events, educational programs, and other community-building activities that enhance the overall quality of life.

  • Emergency Response: In times of unexpected cold snaps or energy crises, LIHEAP has served as a rapid response tool, ensuring that no family is left without heat. This quick action has prevented potentially life-threatening situations, showcasing the program's importance in maintaining public health and safety.

LIHEAP is more than just a funding program; it is a cornerstone of resilience for the Nez Perce community. By addressing immediate energy needs, LIHEAP allows residents to focus on long-term goals and community growth, fostering a brighter future for all.

Meeting Tribal Utility Needs: Video Spotlights

Native American households are often more likely to have housing types and situations that are associated with high energy expenditures , and across the country, native and tribal communities suffer from chronic challenges with their water and wastewater systems that have persisted for decades.

Program flexibilities through LIHEAP, the Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP), and the Rural Community Development Program (RCD) have allowed Native American and tribal leaders to design programs that fit the unique circumstances of their communities related to energy, water, and wastewater. Learn more below about these programs and how these flexibilities were applied in a few Native American communities. 

In FY24, tribal communities received approximately $41.8 million in LIHEAP grants to administer heating, cooling, and crisis assistance, as well as weatherization programs. Over the last few years, LIHEAP has received supplemental funding in response to COVID-19 and natural disasters. Watch the video to find out how additional funding from the American Rescue Plan helped the Navajo Nation prevent thousands of families from energy shut-off.

LIHWAP provided funds to assist households with low incomes with their water and wastewater bills. The program also included flexibilities that were used to respond to the unique needs of tribal communities. Please explore our LIHWAP one-pagers focusing on tribal areas for more information.

Layering LIHEAP and LIHWAP assistance can provide sustainable impact for families. Watch our LIHEAP and LIHWAP spotlight in American Samoa to learn more about how these programs effectively addressed both water and energy insecurity.

RCD partners with regional and tribal training and technical assistance organizations to increase the capacity for communities to manage safe water and wastewater systems in rural areas. RCD funds six regional training and technical assistance grants that collectively serve communities in every state and territory.

The Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) provides funds to 66 tribes to administer services that alleviate the causes and conditions of poverty. CSBG allows tribes the flexibility to build programs based on community needs, including helping expand digital equity and internet access across rural Alaska.

OCS Resources

Community-based planning and gathering information about specific needs within your community can maximize the impact of the resources available.

Please use the linked program pages and resources below to find out more information about the Office of Community Services’ programs within Native American and tribal communities.

The Impact of OCS Programs in Indigenous Communities Resources (PDF)