Youth & Family Services
Indian Child Welfare (ICW) Program
The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), Nooksack Tribe, and Washington State share a common goal: to protect Native children and support their families. In alignment with this shared mission, annual funding is provided to the Nooksack Youth and Family Services Department to strengthen efforts that promote child safety, family preservation, and cultural connection. The Youth and Family Services Department staffs two (2) ICW Caseworkers who work in active partnership with the Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) to provide case management and advocacy services for Nooksack families. These services are delivered in a way that is both culturally sensitive and tribally appropriate. The ICW Caseworkers are dedicated to:
INDEPENDENT LIVING
The Independent Living Program is managed by Caseworker I, who provides specialized services for Nooksack youth aged 15 and older who are in an open dependency through either Washington State DCYF or Nooksack Tribal Court. This program offers a range of Independent Living Services (ILS) designed to equip youth with the skills, resources, and support they need to transition successfully into young adulthood. Services focus on building the tools necessary for self-sufficiency, cultural identity, and long-term well-being.
CHILDREN’S JUSTICE ACT GRANT – CJAA
This program is designed to prevent juvenile delinquency among at-risk youth. The Youth and Family Services Team provides information sessions for both youth and their parents to help them identify resources that support positive behavioral change and reduce the likelihood of future offenses. Program funds have been used to connect at-risk youth with cultural activities, driver’s education, leadership camps, youth wellness programs, and other culturally relevant opportunities that foster personal growth and strengthen community connections. Additionally, supports included family support building, cultural education activities, and resources that promote healthy relationships and strong family bonds.
YOUTH WELLNESS CARE TEAM (YWCT)
Together we envision a community where all Nooksack youth and families are safe, healthy, educated, equitably supported, culturally engaged, and empowered to achieve their fullest potential. Our priority is the Nooksack Youth. The Nooksack Tribal Youth and Youth Wellness Care Team is dedicated to planning and implementing initiatives that support and strengthen Nooksack youth, helping them achieve their goals and become productive community members. Together we instill a future in which all our Youth take strength and direction from their past as a path to fulfill their dreams and prosper in the present by honoring the Nooksack culture and values.
VICTIMS OF CRIME PROGRAM
Tl’ils Ta’á’altha: A Wellness and Strength-Based Advocacy Program
Tl’ils Ta’á’altha, in our Indigenous language, means to love and honor yourself. This concept is the foundation of our program—recognizing that self-love and self-respect are essential to healing and to breaking the cycles of violence that threaten the well-being of our people and communities.
Domestic Violence Victims Services Tl’ils Ta’á’altha Program
Employs a 24/7 DV Advocate who provides victims services advocacy, promotes community outreach and awareness activities, and helps make access to traditional and cultural healing activities. Victim services includes but are not limited to domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, financial exploitation and elder abuse. This year, with the support of the Domestic Violence Advocate, individuals received emergency hotel stays, hygiene products, clothing, personal items, and comprehensive support for entire families affected by domestic violence. Tl’ils Ta’á’altha serves Nooksack community members who have experienced domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and/or elder abuse, as well as their dependents and family members. Core Services include:
Education & Prevention
Tl’ils Ta’á’altha also works to raise awareness about abuse and build healthier relationships in our community through:
Men and Boys Outreach and Advocacy Program
Our mission is to create a safe and respectful space where healing, personal choice, and cultural identity are honored. By centering these values, together we aim to empower individuals to reclaim their lives and well-being. In doing so, we strengthen not only individuals, but the entire community—guided always by the principle: “To Do No Harm.”
A dedicated Men and Boys Advocate works to provide advocacy services for men and boys ages 16 and older, as well as to lead outreach and education efforts related to family and domestic violence affecting males in the community. Through ongoing program evaluation, Nooksack Youth and Family Services identified the need to create two distinct positions to better meet the needs of our tribal male population and ensure consistent service coverage. In response to findings from ongoing program evaluation, Nooksack Youth and Family Services has identified a critical need to enhance services for tribal males aged 16 and older. As a result, NYFS created two separate dedicated positions to more effectively address the unique and diverse needs of men and boys affected by domestic and family violence in the community. These roles focus on:
The Men and Boys Outreach Specialist, and The Men and Boys advocate serve as a liaison within the school system.
Together, these positions allow for expanded outreach, age-appropriate support services, and greater availability for victims and community members seeking assistance. Ultimately, this strengthens our overall response to family and domestic violence within the Nooksack community, while reinforcing our foundational values of cultural integrity, empowerment, and healing.
The Nooksack Men’s Wellness Support Groups promote emotional resilience and healthy relationships through traditional teachings, peer mentorship, and community-building. Topics include stress management, cultural identity, fatherhood, and the broader responsibilities of being a man in today’s world. A key component of this initiative is Strengthening Fathers, which recognizes the critical role fathers play in shaping strong families and healthy youth. By providing mentorship, resources, and a space for open dialogue, we support men in becoming more present, engaged, and positive influences in their children’s lives.
We also recognize that Youth Mental Health Matters—and by supporting and empowering men, we contribute to the well-being of families and help nurture the next generation.
Our Staff
Kristen Regan
Victims of Crime Administrative Manager
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