Fundamental Values and Beliefs

Within the environmental context of the Department's overall goal and Mission Statement,

  • Safety is our first concern
  • It is our job to instill hope
  • A crisis is an opportunity for change
  • Inappropriate intervention can do harm
  • Respect for our client's values and beliefs
  • We can't tell which families are hopeless and,
  • Families are our colleagues and partners

*Adapted from BSI Homebuilders and Families First of Michigan

Practice Principles

To provide quality, competent services for the tribal community of the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan, its Child and Family Services program is guided by the following Practice Principles:

  • Family-centered services that value early identification and prevention of abuse and neglect
  • Case management and individualized service planning
  • Family involvement at all levels of the service continuum
  • Collaboration and coordination
  • Services that value the mental, physical, spiritual and emotional needs of tribal children, elders and their families
  • Protection of rights and advocacy
  • Guided by the NASW Code of Ethics

The Department's Policy and Practice are provided within a governmental and legal context that mandates compliance with:

  • Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Code; Title II, Children's Code
  • 25 U.S.C., 3201, Title IV Indian Child Protection and Family Violence Prevention Act of 1990
  • 25 C.F.R., Part 20, Subparts D-F (Indian Child and Family Services, Services to children, elderly and families)
  • P.L. 95-608, the Indian Child Welfare Act
  • P.L. 99-570, The Indian Alcohol and Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act of 1986
  • P.L. 101-647, The Crime Control Child Care Workers Employee Background Checks Act of 1990, and
  • 25 C.F.R.§23.49, Provision of fair and uniform services and assistance to every client
  • The Indian Civil Rights Act of 1964, as Amended
  • The VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1994 (P.L. 88-352 as Amended) (provides fair and uniform services and assistance to every client (25 C.F.R.)§23.49)