Wendy Thomas Email & Phone Number

Serves as a member of the Office of Tribal Relations management team. Currently oversee Tribal Foster Care Licensing Consultant, Tribal Child Care Licensing Consultant, Child Welfare Early Learning Navigator (CWELN), and Tribal Early Learning Fund (TELF) Specialist positions. My position uniquely serves both Indian child welfare and tribal early learning. I work closely with the Indian Policy in Early Learning (IPEL) Committee and the ICW Sub-Committee in partnership with Washington Tribal partners, recognized American Indian organizations and native serving organizations.

Spokane, Washington, United States

Airway Heights, Wa.

Responsible for administration, fiscal management and supervision of Elders, Senior Nutrition, Young Peoples Place, Indian Child Welfare, Faith Based Advocacy, Independent Living, Tribal Foster/Child Care Licensing, Prevention and Transitional Living. Appointed Washington State Indian Policy Advisory Committee (IPAC) delegate. Represent the Kalispel Tribe on Local, State, Tribal and Federal levels. Responsible for interviewing, hiring, training and development of employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and issuing corrective action when required; addressing complaints and resolving problems. Develop and implement program policies and procedures. Knowledgeable of Tribal and State court processes and serves as the expert witness for Indian Child Welfare cases. Served as interim Transitional Housing Coordinator, Foster/Child Care Licensor and as the Tribal ICW Social Worker

Spokane, Washington Area

SAMSHA approved consultant for the Native Connections Grant. The program/grant goals for this funding are: to address the behavioral health needs of Native youth. Specifically, the program supports grantees in: • Reducing suicidal behavior and substance use and misuse among Native youth up to age 24 • Easing the impacts of substance use, mental illness, and trauma in tribal communities; and • Supporting youth as they transition into adulthood.

ERSEA Content area focus. Review selected Child Care, Head Start and/or Early Head Start programs as may be required by the Office of Head Start, a Head Start Regional Office, and/or Danya.As necessary, travel to selected Child Care, Head Start and/or Early Head Start programs in order to carry out review assignments.Prepare and provide to the Office of Head Start and/or applicable Danya Authorized Representative the results of the reviewed program and other information as may be requested by the Office of Head Start and/or Danya.

Lapwai, Idaho

Responsible for administration of the Nez Perce Tribe Social Services Programs (Financial Assistance, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Children’s Home, Child Protection Services, Women’s Outreach, Senior Citizens, and Commodity Foods). Personnel, budgeting and fiscal management (Gaming Allocation, Indirect Cost, Bureau of Indian Affairs, 638, State contracts and federal grants/contracts). Compliance with grant requirements, reporting and reimbursement regulations. Coordination and collaboration with tribal, local, state, regional organizations to deliver services. Prepare documents and present to Tribal Council Sub-Committees. Highly knowledgeable of Indian Child Welfare Act and Tribal and State jurisdiction for minors in need of care, adoptions and guardianships.

Lapwai, Idaho

Responsible for day to day operations of the Nez Perce Tribe Administration departments, Plant Maintenance, Safety, Information Systems, Housekeeping and three (3) Community Centers as well as the Natural Resources Department and Vocational Rehabilitation programs. Assist Executive Director with making executive level management of the government operations in the organization. Prepare documents and present to Tribal Council Sub-Committees and work in collaboration with Tribal Councils and in alignment with strategic plan. Fulfill acting duties in the absence of the Executive Director. Personnel, budget and fiscal management. Sttrong knowledge of policies and procedures and Human Resource and Finance Manual

Lapwai, Idaho

Responsible for planning, financial (over 2.3 million in both federal and non-federal share), supervising, administration and grant management for the Nez Perce Tribe Head Start, Early Head Start, ARRA, Quality Improvement, Child Care Development Fund (CCDF), Safe Schools/Healthy Students, Johnson O’Malley and Idaho TANF Head Start programs. Represent ECDP in the local, state, regional and national communities. Knowledgeable of Tribal and community resources and services that will result in a partnership between programs to support children and families. Prepare grant applications, implement internal and external reporting systems and procedures for monitoring and controlling fiscal and programmatic activities; knowledge of federal and tribal budgeting process including 638 contracts. Highly knowledgeable of the Head Start Performance Standards, Improve Head Start for School Readiness Act, Program, Design and Management and child development. Assisted with development of non-federal share policies, adopted by Nez Perce Tribe. Acquired new facility to house children and programs in a safe and healthy environment.

Msw, Social Work Emphasis Program Development/Direct Practice

Activities and Societies: American Indian Student Association; Professional Student CouncilKathryn M Buder Scholarship recipient; American.

Mpa Candidate, Public Administration

Fred Johns Scholarship recipient

Bsw, Social Work

Activities and Societies: Native American Club; Student Organization of Social WorkersPresident's and Dean's list