Employee Support Networks
A cornerstone of the ITEA’s mission is to create sustainable economic growth. We believe that tribal economies will thrive if their employees have the opportunity work in an environment that makes going to work possible, if not easy.\ The fact is that everyone should have the opportunity to find a good job. But often, Native men and women in Indian Country and native communities have to overcome barriers that non-Native people do not. Barriers that make it hard to go to work include inadequate day care, lack of transportation to and from work, and lack of housing near work. The ITEA, through a grant from the Administration for Native Americans, is here to help tribes and tribal businesses set up Employee Support Networks that can overcome these problems. The ITEA’s Employee Support Network program allows the ITEA to partner with tribes and tribal businesses to fight unemployment and come up with solutions that also meet the cultural needs of Native employees. Some examples of our Employee Support Network solutions.

Day Care
In Indian Country there are a large number of tribal employees who are parents, or single parents, with young children. In order for those parents to work, they need access to affordable day care so that they can go to work with the security of knowing that their children are safely taken care of. The ITEA partners with tribes and tribal businesses to locate and utilize available resources to insure that quality day care is in place.

Transportation
Few reservations have public transportation and many people live in remote areas that are a long way from the employment centers. If the family vehicle breaks down or is needed for an emergency, it is difficult for the employee to get to work. Such absences are a common cause of employee termination. The ITEA helps tribes and tribal businesses develop model approaches for addressing the transportation problems and creating innovative solutions.

Counseling and supportive services
Often employees in Indian Country have to juggle additional responsibilities stemming from extensive family obligations, domestic situations, and substance abuse that require counseling and professional support. The ITEA can help develop strategies to assist tribes and tribal companies connect with local and regional support service providers to ensure their employees get the help they need.

Spiritual and Cultural
Tribal tradition relies heavily upon involvement and inclusion of the elders in the meeting our family and communal obligations. The ITEA understands that spirituality and maintain our culture is vital to all of our Native employee’s well-being. The ITEA can work with your tribe or business to design culturally-appropriate leave policies, counseling, and workplace environments to protect and nurture your employees’ spirits.