Family Services

The Family Services Department provides social services to Mille Lacs Band members and American Indians who reside in the identified service areas of the Band.

Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe
Health and Human Services
Family Services Department
18562 Minobimaadizi Loop
Onamia, MN 56359

Please send ICWA notices to the attention of Kristina Abear

Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday 8-5 p.m. Office closed 12-1 p.m.

Currently all clients and visitors need to be screened for COVID-19 prior to entry to the clinic.

Tabatha Boyd
Director

320-532-4163 Ext. 1721 

Kristina Abear
Administrative Assistant
320-532-1722

320-630-8998

After hours on call Social Worker

320-630-2444

District III Main Line — Currently vacant

320-384-6240 Ext.306

Urban Area

Abigail Waaraniemi
Urban ICWA Social Worker
320-674-0236

Diane Sanders
Urban ICWA Social Worker
612-358-3840

Fax

320-532-4569

Intake and Referral

This program conducts in-depth assessments and screenings of all child welfare reports. Staff members also provide referrals on behalf of clients to internal and external agencies to meet the specific needs of each client.

Mishelle Ballinger
Intake and Referral Specialist
320-532-4163 Ext. 1725

Child Protection Services

The Child Protection Services program conducts child protection investigations on all neglect and abuse complaints within the Band’s jurisdiction.

The Child Protection Case Management program provides ongoing child welfare case management and prevention services to Band members, first-generation descendants, and American Indians within the Band’s designated service area.

The Indian Child Welfare program monitors the welfare of all Band children and first-generation descendants outside the Band’s designated service area under the Indian Child Welfare Act.

Ashley Burr
Child Protection Supervisor
320-532-4163 Ext. 1723

Mille Lacs Band Statutes Title VIII — Children and Families. See Chapter 13: Child/Family Protection

Supportive Services

The Family Services Department offers several supportive services for open and active cases in the department. These services include:

  • Parent assistant: One-on-one parenting assistance using the Positive Indian Parent Model y Tutor: One-on-one educational assistance
  • Mentor: One-on-one positive role model for youth
  • Crisis stabilizer: One-on-one crisis support
  • Job coach: One-on-one formal employment assistance
  • Independent life skills coach: One-on-one formal assistance in developing independent life skills
  • Transporter: Assists with transportation requests
  • Benefits assistant: Assists families who need to enroll in Medicaid and Medicare
  • Homemaker: Assists with general and light homemaking needs

Foster Care Program

This program licenses and trains foster care providers within the Band’s designated service area. Any American Indian or community member with strong ties to the Mille Lacs Band may apply to become a licensed foster care provider.

The Independent Living and Life Skills program provides child welfare support services to Band members, first-generation descendants, and American Indians who are 14-21 years old and live within the designated service area of the Band. It also provides independent living assistance to Band members, first-generation descendants, and American Indians who are 16-21 years old and live within the Band’s designated service area.

Connie Moose
Foster Care Supervisor
320-532-4163 Ext. 1743

Kathryn Schwartz (Katy)
Foster Care Licensor and Recruiter
320-630-8459