WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. – Amendments to the plan of operation for the Navajo Division for Children and Family Services (NDCFS) that clarify the organizational structure and update its official name change were approved by the Health, Education, and Human Services Committee (HEHSC) on July 27, 2026.
“In our move to expand and enhance services for our members and staff, our plan of operation was amended to align with our new name, vision and mission, and not to reinforce any negative stereotypes of social services. We are moving toward increasing and improving wraparound services to treat societal ills and promote the health and strength of our families,” said Thomas Cody, NDCFS Executive Director.
The new plan of operation reflects the name change of the division to the Navajo Division for Children and Family Services, from the former Navajo Division of Social Services. The name change for the division went into effect July 28, 2024.
Under the new plan of operation, the Division is composed of:
- Office of the Executive Director (OED)
- Department of Child Care (DCC)
- Department for Child Well-Being (DCWB)
- Navajo Department for Self Reliance (DSR)
- Navajo Department for Long Term Services and Supports (DLTSS)
- Navajo Treatment Center for Children and Their Families (NTCCF)
One of the major changes is the name of the former Department of Family Services which is now the Department for Child Well-Being. The Department for Child Well-Being provides specialized services to children, adults, and elderly facing abuse, neglect, or crises and promotes healthy and stable Navajo families. There are four sections within the DCWB including Administrative Support, Finance, Quality Assurance, and Direct Services.
The Navajo Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) Program is now incorporated into the Department for Child Well-Being. This merger helps with efficiency of direct service delivery by allowing more coordination between direct service providers, sharing advocacy efforts, and reducing administrative burdens for the Navajo ICWA Program.
The other major change is that both the Developmental Disabilities Program and the Arizona Long Term Care Services will be under the Department for Long Term Services and Supports. The new department houses the two programs, which operate on cost reimbursement, intergovernmental agreements with the state of Arizona and are governed by Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) policies and procedures. This department requires expertise in state policy, federal Medicaid policy and cost reimbursement systems within Arizona. Under the DLTSS plan of operation, the department consists of sections for Administration and Direct Services.
The plan of operation for the Office of Executive Director includes sections for administrative support, human resources, communications, information technology, finance and accounting, policy, Public Law 102-477 Support, and the Financial Assistance Unit. The 477 Support Section became necessary to coordinate the implementation and administration of P.L. 102-477, which allows consolidation of federal funds to reduce unemployment in tribal communities.
The NDCFS departments and programs will be transitioning to implement the plan of operation over the coming weeks. There will be no layoffs or demotions as part of the implementation.
HEHSC Vice Chairwoman Germaine Simonson sponsored the legislation and presented it to the Committee with NDCFS Executive Director Cody, Deputy Director Sonlatsa Jim, and Principal Accountant Brenda Tsosie. The HEHSC has the final authority to amend the plan of operation.
The NDCFS thanks the HEHSC members for approving the plan of operation and supporting the Division in moving toward improved service delivery and administration, including Chairman Vince James, Vice Chairwoman Simonson, and Members Helena Nez Begay, Dr. Andy Nez, George Tolth, and Curtis Yanito.
