Departments

Social Services Services Department

The Social Services Department consists of various programs that create stronger wellbeing for all of our Tribal members. Below you’ll find more information about the programs within the Social Services Department:

Department Director
Katherine Canete, Master of Public Administration, is the Director of Social Services. She can be reached at kcanete@nooksack-nsn.gov.

TANF – Temporary Assistance for Needy Families

TANF will make available the tools necessary to promote the empowering of Indian families to become self-sufficient so they can support and nurture themselves, their children, and community.

 TANF is a Federal and State funded program that provides cash assistance and supportive services to Native American families who are in need.

You can receive:
- Cash Assistance/Supportive Services
- Education Development
- Career Development
- Child Care Assistance
- Transportation Assistance
- K-12 Clothing Allowance

In order to be eligible for the Tribal TANF Program, you must meet the following criteria:
- One member of the household must be able to provide proof of membership with Federally recognized tribe through enrollment.
- Be the guardian/caretaker or a needy Native American minor, or be in your third trimester of pregnancy.
- Reside within the designated service area in Whatcom/Skagit County.
- Must meet income guidelines of equal to or less than 150 percent

Required Documents
- Valid Washington State Identification
- Birth Certificates for all children
- Social Security Cards
- Proof of Tribal Enrollment
- Proof of Income
- Social Security Income Statements
- Veterans Benefit Income Statements
- Per Capita Payments
- Wages/Salary Check Stubs
- Current Child Immunization Records
- K-12 Enrollment and Attendance Verification for all school age children
- Current Bank Statements
- Residency Verification 

For more information about the Nooksack TANF Program please contact Roma Furuta, Program Manager, at (360) 592-0135

TANF Staff, Deming site:
Sierra Faulks, sfaulks@nooksack-nsn.gov
Roma Furuta, rfuruta@nooksack-nsn.gov
Joal Galindo, jgalindo@nooksack-nsn.gov
Dan S. Roberts, droberts@nooksack-nsn.gov
Rosalina Joseph, rjoseph@nooksack-nsn.gov
Heidi Davis, hdavis@nooksack-nsn.gov

TANF Staff, Skagit site: – (360) 848-1758, Fax – (360) 848-1768
Sativa Salazar, ssalazar@nooksack-nsn.gov
Elizabeth Oshiro, eoshiro@nooksack-nsn.gov
Chris Robertson, crobertson@nooksack-nsn.gov
Cheryl Romero, cromero@nooksack-nsn.gov

GED Classes – Deming and Skagit, (360) 592-0135 ext. 5124
Deborah E. Alexander, dalexander@nooksack-nsn.gov

Emergency Food Assistance, (360) 592-0135
For Food Bank, Food Vouchers and Commodity Foods.
Crystal Bailey, cbailey@nooksack-nsn.gov

Energy Assistance, (360) 592-0135
For emergency energy assistance.
Crystal Bailey, cbailey@nooksack-nsn.gov

Domestic Violence Department, (360) 592-0135
Katie Delgado, kdelgado@nooksack-nsn.gov

Elders Program, (360) 592-0100
Rozelda Roberts, (360) 592-0100
Char Roberts, proberts@nooksack-nsn.gov
Josephine Grant, Elders Transportation Coordinator, (360) 325-6720

Revitalizing Fatherhood Program (RFP), (360) 592-0135
Eugene Aldredge, ealdredge@nooksack-nsn.gov
Karolina Lobrow, klobrow@nooksack-nsn.gov

Other Staff, (360) 592-0135
Nadeen Jimmy, Assistant to the Director, njimmy@nooksack-nsn.gov

(360) 966-9696
Charise Wenzl, Tutor, cwenzl@nooksack-nsn.gov
Rikki Auguston, Teen Coordinator, Rikki.auguston@nooksack-nsn.gov

For more information about the Social Services Department, contact us at 5061 Deming Road, Deming, WA 98225, by phone at (360) 592-0135 or fax at (360) 301-5099.