SUPPORTING
American Indian Families Of Children
with special needs in North Dakota

by Cathy Haarstad, MS
2003

 ndcpd logo

North Dakota Center for Persons with Disabilities
A University Center for Excellence for Persons with Developmental Disabilities

Minot State University
500 University Avenue West
Minot, ND 58707
2003


Funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services,
Administration on Developmental Disabilities,
Administration for Children and Families,
North Dakota Family Support Project Grant #90DF0049-01
Cathy Haarstad, MS, Project Director
Supporting American Indian Families
Who Have Children with Special Needs

This manual utilized resources shared by staff from the Turtle Mountain Community Schools, Three Affiliated Tribes, and Bureau of Indian Affairs

Copyright 2003.  We encourage the use of this publication for non-profit organizations for educational and research purposes.  We request that appropriate acknowledgement be given.  Permission is granted by the author for photocopying for personal or internal use, or for use with consumers.  The consent does not extend to other kinds of copying, such as copying for general distribution, for advertising or promotional purposes, for creating new collective works, or for resale.  Requests for use of this publication for any other purpose should be submitted to: Supporting American Indian Families Who Have Children with Special Needs, Project Director, Minot State University, North Dakota Center for Persons with Disabilities, 500 University Ave. W., Minot, ND 58707.

Suggested citation:

Haarstad, C., (2003).  Supporting American Indian Families Who Have Children with Special
Needs Minot, ND: North Dakota Center for Persons with Disabilities a University Center for
Excellence for Persons with Developmental Disabilities at Minot State University.

Disclaimer:  This manual was published using funds awarded to Minot State University by the Administration on Developmental Disabilities.  The contents reflect the expressed opinion of its’ author and are not necessarily the opinion of the Administration on Developmental Disabilities, the Federal Government, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Native American Training Institute, Tribal Nations, the North Dakota Department of Human Services or Minot State University.

Acknowledgements:  Thanks and much appreciation is extended to the following individuals who provided input or gave critical feedback in the development of this manual:  Gaylene Belgarde, Shirley Marion, Bernie Youngbird, Bertrelle Fox, Maureen McCloud Rogers, Evelyn Klimpel, and many others.

 
Supporting
American Indian Families of Children
with special needs in North Dakota

Table of Contents

 Introduction .....................................................................................  6

American Indian Families ................................................................  6
Today’s Families .......................................................................  8
Family Dynamics .......................................................................  8
Parent Education .......................................................................  9
Children with Special Needs ..................................................... 10

Special Challenges  .......................................................................... 11
Providing for Basic Needs ......................................................... 11
Getting Information and Resources ............................................. 12
Access to disability information ........................................ 12
Access to health care ...................................................... 12
Access to community resources ....................................... 13
Learning to Parent Children with Special Needs ......................... 14
Obtaining Family Support .......................................................... 15

Partnership ........................................................................................ 17
    Support Strategies That Work ............................................... 17
    Reaching Out to Partners ....................................................... 19    
    Working with Tribal Government ........................................... 19
    Reaching Out to Families ....................................................... 20

Family Support Resources ............................................................... 22
    Roles and Responsibilities ...................................................... 22
    Family Support Services ........................................................ 22
    Assistance with Excess Costs ................................................. 23
    Family to Family Networks .................................................... 24
    Families with Children Who Have Intellectual Disabilities ......... 24
    Families with Adult Children Who Have Disabilities ................. 25
    Families of Children with Mental Illness ................................... 26
    Families of Children with Special Health Needs ....................... 26
    Parent Training and Information ............................................... 27
    Family Advocacy .................................................................... 28
    Research, Technical Assistance and Community Service .......... 29


Resources ........................................................................................... 31

    Bureau of Indian Affairs ........................................................... 31
    Indian Affairs Commission ....................................................... 31
    American Indian Training Institute ............................................ 32
    Indian Health Service Programs ............................................... 32
    Public/Tribal Schools ............................................................... 35
    Colleges and Universities ......................................................... 38
    ND University Systems ............................................................ 39
    County Social Services ............................................................ 39
    Human Service Centers ........................................................... 43
    Vocational Rehabilitations Centers ........................................... 44
    Head Start Programs ............................................................... 45
    Adult Service Providers ........................................................... 47
    Centers for Independent Living – (Contact Points) .................... 48
    Special Service Libraries .......................................................... 49
    Infant Development Programs ................................................... 51
    Youth Recreation/After School Programs .................................. 53
    North Dakota American Indian Information ............................... 55

Bibliography ......................................................................................... 57

Appendix A ........................................................................................... 59
Appendix B ........................................................................................... 60

Click link below to view the entire contents of this manual in PDF format.

Supporting American Indian Families of Children
with special needs in North Dakota

This document is available in alternative format upon request. 
Please direct your requests to Ms. Cathy Haarstad, Project Director at 1-800-233-1737.