Community Support Services

The services provided by Elder Services are Social Nutrition, Congregate and Home Delivery, Elder/Disabled Energy Program, Information and Referrals, Advocacy and Outreach on Elder Services only, Elder Activities and Educational Conferences and Wisdom Steps.

Lunch Program

To apply for the lunch program, contact the Elder Services Office or pick up a one-page application at any of the Assisted Living Units in one of the Mille Lacs Band outer three Districts.

Energy Program

The Elder Energy Program was designed to provide that MLB Elder/Disabled with financial assistance to pay their utilities if they fall behind financially and have exhausted the State Energy Program.

To apply for the Energy Program, contact the Elder Energy Technician or pick up an application at any of the Assisted Living Units in one of the Mille Lacs Band Districts listed. If you are pre-enrolled or have been a participant, applications will be mailed to you automatically annually.

For more information please contact our office at 320-532-7532 or 320-532-7854.

Family Violence Prevention Program

The Family Violence Prevention Program provides assistance and resources to victims of domestic and sexual violence through a variety of programs and services. The Program is staffed with trained domestic and sexual violence advocates who are dedicated in their work to provide services to all people regardless of race, financial status, gender preference, and physical or mental capabilities or religion. Our staff is friendly and compassionate with all people and trained to work with a diverse population, including those from any race, the elderly and those with disabilities.

24-hour crisis line: 866-867-4006

Sexual Assault Program

Our Sexual Assault Program collaborates closely within the family of the FVPP. We are responsible for education and information of sexual assault issues and our coordinator is contacted every time there is or has been sexual assault present with the clients that we serve. We do weekly education for young women and provide a Girls Camp every year, where education is presented and discussed in a delicate manner with the girls who attend. Some of the subjects that have been presented are drugs and alcohol usage, sexual assault, sexually transmitted diseases, and any issues that young women are now faced with that my need discussion. We provide one on one sexual assault advocacy, crisis intervention, emotional support, information and referral, advocacy during related medical procedures, support during related law enforcement investigations, assistance in accessing Emergency Family Services and in filing Restitution or Reparation claims, provides opportunities to participate in safe and supportive groups.

The Elder Abuse Prevention Program

The Elder Abuse Prevention Program provides services to elders in our community who may be faced with abuse issues in the areas of physical, emotional, financial and neglect. We have a coordinator and an advocate who service and support our elders who may encounter these problems. Our elders are often the home owners and several of their family members live with them. The elders may be reluctant to disclose abusive behaviors of those family members for fear of them being removed from the home or for fear of retaliation. Elders are brought up to share what they have, it is important to help them to identify when it is sharing when it is being taken from them and forcing them to go without. We may get a referral and our staff will go out and meet with the elder, offer the support services and help with Orders For Protection or Harassment Restraining Orders which ever may be necessary. We also provide training on Elder Abuse to outside our reservation program that may want education on what Elder Abuse is or services we provide. The Elder Abuse Prevention Program provides Beading groups for Elders in all three districts and fishing launches for elders.

Women’s Shelter

The Women’s Shelter houses women and their children in an emergency situation, if the issues in the home are not safe for the woman and her children. We can house up to eighteen people in an individual apartment type setting with options for community dining and support groups. We provide advocacy counseling, safety planning, crisis intervention, emotional support and options, with advocates on call 24 hours a day, and our residents receive help with all of these topics. We also have 24 hour Crisis Line available, where you can reach and talk with an advocate at any time.

320-495-3514

District II office

ALU/East Lake, MN

District III Office

District III Community Advocate

320-384-4613 Office

320-630-2691 Cell

The Mille Lacs Band’s Emergency Services Office provides assistance in the following areas:

• Emergency Loan Program
• Emergency Assistance Program
• Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR)
• DIW Food Shelf

Applications for these programs can be obtained from the Emergency Services Office, at the District Community Centers, and Assisted Living Units, or can be faxed, mailed or e-mailed to you.

Emergency Services Office

320-532-7880

The Emergency Loan Program provides limited assistance to enrolled Band members experiencing an unforeseen emergency. Services include:

Utility emergencies
Medical emergencies (does not include advanced-notice medical appointments)
Funeral emergencies
Eviction/rent emergencies
Fire/natural disaster emergencies
Clothing emergencies (for people leaving a treatment of correctional facility)

Emergency Services Office

320-532-7880

After-Hours Utility emergency Line

320-630-2687

24-hour Fax:320-532-7546

Elder Services Office

320-532-7543

Download an Application

The Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR), which provides food packages, is an alternative to food stamps. The program serves eligible Band members located in or near the Mille Lacs Reservation (excluding households located in cities with a population of 10,000 or more).

Eligible and certified Band members can pick up their monthly food order at the Commod Building in District I Monday–Friday from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The program also delivers food packages one day per month to the Isle and Lake Lena Community Centers and the East Lake and Hinckley Assisted Living Units.

320-532-7510

24-Hour Fax: 320-532-3725
Alternative Fax: 320-532-7546

The Food Distribution Program is responsible for providing nutritious food packages which include fresh fruits and vegetables to households who meet the requirements and guidelines as set forth below:

• Must be a member of a federally recognized tribe (proof required).
• Must reside within the 5 counties; Aitkin, Crow Wing, Kanabec, Mille Lacs and Pine (excluding cities with populations of 10,000 or more).
• Proof of residency.
• Proof of income for the past 30 days for all adults over 18 years of age.
• Social Security numbers and birthdays for all household members.

Household Size	Monthly Income Standards
1	$1,136
2	$1,483
3	$1,830
4	$2,189
5	$2,565
6	$2,941
7	$3,287
8	$3,634

(For each additional member, add $347)
*FDPIR Net Monthly Income Standards (effective 10/1/14)

FDPIR allows deduction for the following: Earned income 20%, child support, home care meal, dependent care, medical expenses, and standard shelter/utility deduction $400.00 (copy of bill).

The Food Distribution Program follows the United State Department of Agriculture non-discrimination policy.

Food Shelf: The Mille Lacs Band provides a food shelf in the District I Vineland area and District III Lake Lena area. The food shelf provides nutritious food packages to families in need. For families in District II East Lake/McGregor area the food shelf staff will take orders from DII on Thursdays of every week and deliver on Fridays.

Eligibility: Mille Lacs Band member, Tribal ID or state ID, proof of residency, social security numbers and birthdays on applications.

Wraparound is a process that focuses on the strengths, needs and culture of the family as defined by the family. Wraparound supports Mille Lacs Band Members to develop and implement an integrated plan to achieve their own vision for their family. Wraparound will help provide Band Members the skills, confidence and supports to achieve and improve their definition of what they want to become. Mille Lacs Band Wraparound is housed in the Community Support Services Department of Health and Human Services. Departments will provide access to specialty staff to provide input to the cases and ensure that Band Members get access to all possible services they need.

The Wraparound process is defined by ten principles that describe how we do wraparound, four phases and related activities which describe what we do in wraparound. These principles are designated to create self-efficiency and stabilize the family for long-term results. The ten principles are as follows: Family Voice and Choice, Team Based, Natural Supports, Collaboration, Community Based, Culturally Competent, Individualized, Strengths Based, Unconditional and Out Come Based.

The Role of the Family
Mille Lacs Band Wraparound uses a family uses a family centered team approach. Together we look at the strengths and needs of the family. We work with Mille Lacs Band Members to help identify what the family needs to have a better life. Mille Lacs Band Wraparound involves families at all levels of the system and monitors quality and outcomes. It operates from a value base that emphasizes building strengths to meet needs; one family one plan.

Coordination of Services
Mille Lacs Band Wraparound collaborates with all Department Service Providers to coordinate services and facilitates the effective delivery of services supports to families using strength-based, highly individualized Wraparound approach. Coordination of Services will take place in phases, over a typical timeline of 6-12 months, or maybe extended. This allows all phases of Engagement, Implementation, and Transition to be successful.

Cultural Activities
Wraparound consults with Tribal Elders to assist in meeting the cultural needs identified by the family.