We Create Awesome Stuff
We are Creative Team located in Muskogee, Oklahoma.
In 2009, 1 Family Services in Indian Country, LLC (1FSIC) was established by Kay Kile and Jerry Sweet.
Their vision was to ensure every child receives the full benefits of tribal programs as mandated by congress and to ensure the program remains cost-effective for tribal governments. 1FSIC assists tribes in developing and operating various social services programs, including, but not limited to: tribal child support and TANF; representative payee; tribal enrollment; and child welfare. 1FSIC created a tribal disbursement center to assist tribes in disbursing child support and TANF payments to tribal families.
1FSIC can assist your tribe in applying for funding to develop Child Support and TANF Programs in accordance to Federal Regulations.
1FSIC staff are experienced in the field and can assist with program assessments ensuring that tribal staff understand the importance of the federal regulations and how they affect tribal governments.
1FSIC can assist in developing policies and procedures, tribal codes and program plan.
"The dictionary is the only place that success comes before work.
Work is the key to success, and hard work can help you accomplish anything." ― Vince Lombardi
Dedicated
With over 50 years of combined experience, 1FSIC staff is committed to protecting the rights of all children.
Innovative
1FSIC recognizes that each tribe is different, programs are developed to incorporate each tribe’s history and cultural while protecting the tribes sovereignty.
Creative
1FSIC recognizes that no two tribe are alike, 1FSIC will work with the tribal government in developing the tribes programs that fit their needs.
Focused
1FSIC focus is to strengthen tribal families, in developing a tribal programs 1FSIC incorporates suggestions from tribal members, and tribal leaders.
Who We Are
Our success depends on the strength of our team. People tell us we are down-to-earth, approachable and fun. We enjoy what we do and we laugh a lot...most often at ourselves.
Jerry Sweet
President & CEO
Kay Kile
Vice President & CFO
Our vision is to ensure every child receives the full benefits of tribal programs as mandated by congress and to ensure the program remains cost-effective for tribal governments.
1FSIC’s focus is to find avenues to reduce costs to tribes and to create affective programs whose overall mission is to become a clear voice for tribal children and families.
Since 1997, over 60 tribes now operate their own child support program. 1FSIC has helped several of these tribes apply for and receive federal funding to develop and operate tribal programs which include child support and TANF.
The vision of 1FSIC has not changed since 1997. Our focus continues to be and will always be to assist tribes in developing social service programs, to protect and be the voice for our children and protect the sovereignty of tribal governments.
We Are Here For You
1FSIC’s vision is to ensure that every tribe has the ability to develop and operate their own child support or TANF program, either directly or indirectly.
The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 also known as welfare reformed authorized tribes and Alaskan Natives to develop child support programs. 45 CFR 309 provided regulations that authorized tribes to receive 100% stat up funds not to exceed $500,000 for two years to develop child support programs. After startup tribes could receive 90% funding for three years and 80% after. 1FSIC has assisted various tribes in applying for and receiving funds to develop child support program that fits the needs of each individual tribe. Although the regulation have specific criteria, programs can be developed that will protect the tribal cultural, history and sovereignty of the tribe.
Welfare reformed authorized tribes and Alaskan Natives to develop Tribal TANF programs to meet the needs of tribal families. The four purposes of the TANF program are:.
- Provide assistance to needy families so that children can be care for in their own homes.
- Reduce the dependency of needy parents by promoting job preparation, work marriage.
- Prevent and reduce incidence of out of wedlock pregnancies.
- Encourage the formation and maintenance of two parent families.
1FSIC is has experience is writing application for tribes to receive funds to develop TANF programs. Our qualified staff will work with tribal leaders and the community to ensure programs are developed that benefits the needs of tribal families.
1FSIC's qualified staff can provided training that covers the federal and tribal requirements.
Training can be provided at tribal facility, in Muskogee, Oklahoma or online.
1FSIC is experience in writing tribal polices and procedures for programs. 1FSIC legal staff is versed in tribal law and can assist in developing or enhance tribal codes. Staff will work with tribal codes, attorneys, tribal leaders and community to ensure that policies, procedures and codes meet the needs of the tribe.
— 1FSIC —
Some Recent Projects
Jerry Sweet, President of 1FSIC is Chickasaw and has over 30 years experience in child support and TANF programs. He developed the first child support program for the Chickasaw Nation of Oklahoma. Since 1997 he has helped several tribes develop child support and TANF programs. He has served on various tribal work groups to ensure that sovereignty of the tribe is always protected. Our focus is always how to protect our children, families and the tribe while making programs cost effective.
We Make Our Customers Happy
With over 50 years of combined experience; 1FSIC can assist your tribe in applying for funding to develop child support programs in accordance to 45 CFR 309. From start-up funding to receiving comprehensive funding, 1FSIC can assist in developing policies and procedures, tribal codes and program plan. We have partnered with Tribal Systems and Services, LLC and utilized the Model Tribal System. The system has been beneficial in case management, processing of child support payments and reports. We have partnered with SMI for debit cards to ensure families receive their child support award in a timely fashion and Lapcorp for genetic testing.
Research
1FSIC staff are experienced in the field and can assist with program assessments.
Plan
Our team understand the importance of the federal regulations and how they affect tribal governments.
Develop
Our experienced staff will be able to assist tribes in receiving funding, developing program policies and procedures and tribal codes if required.
Support
1FSIC is available to work with your staff to provide hands on and web training.
1FSIC provides assistance to tribes to conduct independent audits to ensure compliance with federal requirements for child support and TANF programs.
1FSIC established a tribal payment center to assist tribes in processing child support and TANF payment. 1FSIC staff is insured for lost prevention
Some of the cool facts about us
Our Main Skills
Develop and operate Social Service Programs including but not limited to Child Support & TANF. Assist tribes with APD process and help apply and receive federal funding. Monitor and assist with regulatory compliance. Plan and help support tribal disbursements. Program planning for Child Support and TANF. Assist tribes with overall Cost Reduction. Help develop policies and procedures for tribal programs.
1FSIC assisted tribes in Oklahoma, Kansas and North Carolina develop tribal child support programs and consortium. These tribal programs have helped tribal children receive their much needed financial support from non-custodial parents reducing the need for financial assistance from tribal, state and federal programs. In addition, 1FSIC has assisted tribes nationwide apply for and receive federal funding to support the tribal program. 1FSIC currently provides oversight for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians child support program, which includes ensuring all staff receives adequate training in federal and tribal laws. 1FSIC has provided training to various tribes.
1FSIC helps tribes develop and operate their own tribal TANF programs. 1FSIC has drafted and incorporated policies and procedures tribes focusing on the 4 requirements as defined by the tribal TANF regulations. 1FSIC currently provides oversight for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians TANF program. Staff receive quarterly training to ensure the program is in compliance with all federal and tribal requirements.
1 Family Services provides DNA testing for tribal enrollment. We offer basic maternal and paternal testing to ensure that individuals are eligible for tribal enrollment.
Mr. Jerry Sweet has over 30 years of experience and has provided consulting services to numerous tribal and state DHS agencies. He has been beneficial in assisting tribe in developing social services programs focusing on the needs of tribal families, children and elderly. He is considered a subject matter expert on tribal programs working with state, federal and tribal government to share his experience and knowledge. He has served on various workgroups in developing tribal regulations and members of various organizations including NCAI.
Over the past 10 years, 1FSIC’s staff has provided training to several child support programs. Additionally, 1FSIC’s staff has been asked to speak or perform demonstrations at National Tribal Child Support Association (NTCSA) annual conferences, Western Interstate Child Support Enforcement Council (WICSEC) annual conferences, Eastern Regional Interstate Child Support Association (ERICSA) annual conferences. The staff are skilled in all aspects of social service programs, which includes but not limited to child support and TANF and can provide on-site or remote training to any programs.
1FSIC is IRS certified and complies with all IRS safeguarding requirements as defined in IRS 1075.
1FSIC established a Tribal Payment Center (TPC) to assists tribes in processing child support and TANF payments in a timely manor. All fund are processed either by debit cards or direct deposit to individuals account to ensure funds made available within a timely manor. TPC has provided services Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, Modoc Tribe of Oklahoma, Prairie Band of Pottawatomie of Kansas and is currently processing child support and TANF payments for Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. All 1FSIC staff receive background checks, drug testing and are bonded. TPC has disbursed approximately $10,000,000 in child support payments since 2008.
1FSIC attorneys are experience in federal Indian law. The attorneys are available to assist tribes in developing or enhancing their tribal codes. They have over 10 years experience in drafting codes in particular to family law, child support, domestic violence, child welfare and Indian child welfare.
Keep In Touch
Tel: +1 (918) 913-9429
Fax: +1 (918) 913-9436
1829 N York Street
Muskogee, OK 74403, United States
