We are excited to share this Blogpost that introduces the work of one of our Tribal grantee teams, Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska. The original post is featured on EJI's website @ https://www.justice.gov/elderjustice/highlighted-networks.
The Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska (Ho-Chunk: Nįįšoc Hoocąk) is one of two federally recognized tribes of Ho-Chunk Native Americans. The other is the Ho-Chunk Nation of Wisconsin. Tribe members often refer to themselves as Hochungra – "People of the Parent Speech." Their language is part of the Siouan family. The Winnebago Reservation was established by a treaty on March 8, 1865. It is located in Thurston and Dixon counties, Nebraska, and Woodbury County, Iowa. Currently, the tribe has over 5,000 enrolled members.
The Adult & Elderly Protective Services Program (AEPSP) was established by an award from the Office of Justice Programs (OJP) in 2021. The Program strives to create a safe and protective environment free from abuse and neglect for Winnebago seniors and adults with disabilities. Through this program, clients’ experiences are honored and their voices are empowered. AEPSP provides excellent services, creates safety, and focuses on well-being and sustainable outcomes for their clients. Through this program, every elder and disabled adult tribe member has access to community based, culturally appropriate services that help them feel safe, healthy, and spiritually strong – free from abuse, neglect, sexual and financial exploitation, and the damaging effects of substance abuse.
This innovative, results-driven program is responsive to, guided by, and accountable to the Winnebago community. AEPSP promotes teamwork and collaboration through partnerships with parents and kin, other tribes, and our community.
The program currently has 15 team members from the surrounding area, ranging from law enforcement to the director of the Human Services Department, and through this collaboration, the program is able to offer better coordination of services for their mutual clients. The program has recently finished writing tribal elder and dependent abuse codes. The current focus is on writing the Policy and Procedures for the program and establishing a case review meeting where clients who have experienced abuse will play a central role in driving action plans and outcomes. Program members include:
- Elder abuse MDT Coordinator
- Adult & Elderly Protective Coordinator
- Human Services Director
- Human Services Deputy Director
- Legal Accountant
- Senior Citizens Director
- 2 Legal representatives from our Tribal court (Prosecutor & Assistant Prosecutor)
- IIM Accountant
- Nebraska APS representative
- 2 Legal Aid of Nebraska Representatives
- Law enforcement (chief of police)
- PNF (Preserving Native Families) Manager
- Outreach Coordinator w/Native American Program
- Public Health Nursing Representative (Interviewing)
- Forensic Accountant (Interviewing)
- Neuropsychologist (Interviewing)
- Occupational Therapist (Interviewing)
The program has an education and outreach focus and hosts monthly BINGO games held at the Senior Citizens’ Center with prizes that raise awareness about how to report elder abuse and encourage those who experience abuse to speak up. The program also hosts and participates in community events and disseminates targeted brochures to attendees.
For more information contact: Trina Aldrich, who authored this post, is a member of the of the Winnebago Tribe, and is the Elder Abuse MDT Project Coordinator trina.aldrich@winnebagotribe.com. You may also contact, Mr. Miskoo Petite, director of Human Services Department miskoo.petite@winnebagotribe.com, or Ms. Kayla Backer, deputy director of Human Services Department kayla.backer@winnebagotribe.com.
