The International Day of Families, observed annually May 15, celebrates the importance of families and also connects with the everyday mission of the Chickasaw Nation.

The 1994 International Year of the Family proclamation by the United Nations General Assembly affirmed the role of the family in human civilization as a "fundamental institution of human society" and the importance of the structure and stability of family units in many regions of the globe.

The global observance complements the Chickasaw Nation’s mission to enhance the lives of Chickasaw people.
 
Through this mission, Chickasaw Nation continuously strives to dedicate its resources to building stronger families and, in turn, stronger communities.

Programs designed to strengthen the family are available to Chickasaws of all ages, from infants to elders.

Some of the far-reaching programs include:

• Chepota Himmita (Young Child) Program – provides child development education and screenings, support groups and home visits for parents of children up to one-year old.
• Family Preservation  - focuses on crisis prevention and reunification services for Native American families.
• Foster Care / Adoption – provides care for Native American children placed in tribal or state custody.
• Indian Child Welfare Service –protects children, provides advocacy and assists in the reunification process of families.
• Office of Strong Family Development- provides individual, couples and family counseling services, also offers parenting and grand parenting workshops and abstinence education.
• Violence Prevention – provides advocacy services, shelter, transportation, career and education services and mental health counseling to victims of domestic violence.
• Chokká Kilimpí - Family Resource Center, Norman, Okla.
• Aalhakoffichí – An adolescent transitional living facility in Pauls Valley, Okla.

In June 2001 Chickasaw Nation Child Support Enforcement program became the first tribal child support enforcement office in the country to receive direct federal funding. Since that time, the department has collected millions in child support payments for members of dozens of tribes across the state and assisted numerous tribes in developing successful child support programs. Through these and other family-oriented programs, the Chickasaw Nation continues to actively pursue the strength and prosperity of the family unit as well as the welfare of the communities in which the families live.

For more information about the Chickasaw Nation Office of Strong Family Development, call 580-436-1222.

About International Day of Families
The year 1994 was proclaimed as the International Year of Families by the United Nations. This was a response to changing social and economic structures, which have affected and still affect the structure and stability of family units in many regions of the globe. The International Day of Families, on May 15, is an occasion to reflect on the work started during 1994 and to celebrate the importance of families, people, societies and cultures around the world. It has been held every year since 1995.

About the Chickasaw Nation
With more than 50,000 citizens, the Chickasaw Nation is the 12th largest federally-recognized Indian tribe in the United States. The tribe is the seventh largest employer in Oklahoma, with more than 10,000 employees in the state and nearly 12,000 worldwide. A democratic republic with executive, legislative and judicial departments, the tribe's jurisdictional territory includes all or part of 13 counties in south central Oklahoma.