Navigating the web of tribal government can feel like trying to fold a fitted sheet in the dark. It’s complicated, and frankly, unless you live in Ottawa County, Oklahoma, or are a citizen of the Peoria Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma, you might not know where to start. Specifically, when people look for the manager of HHS Peoria Tribe, they aren't just looking for a name on a door. They are looking for the person who handles everything from food security to family welfare.
Honestly, the "manager" title can be a bit of a moving target depending on which specific program you're talking about. But if we’re talking about the heavy lifting of Health and Human Services (HHS), the name you’ll run into most is Kaylee Jones. She’s the Director of Health and Human Services and also manages the Indian Child Welfare (ICW) side of things.
What exactly does the HHS department do?
It's a lot. Think of it as a massive safety net for the community. The tribe operates out of Miami, Oklahoma—not the one with palm trees, the one with the rich history and the rolling plains.
Kaylee Jones and her team aren't just sitting behind desks. They manage outreach programs that basically cover the "whole person" experience. This includes:
- Mental Health and Substance Use: Through programs like Peoria CARE (Counseling-Advocacy-Recovery-Education).
- Food Security: Working alongside people like Kayla Budd, the Food Security Manager, who runs Peoria Fresh.
- Domestic Safety: Handling sensitive domestic concerns and welfare.
- Child Welfare: This is where the ICW Director role overlaps. If a kid needs a foster home or guidance, this office is the first point of contact.
The people behind the programs
It takes a village, or in this case, a very dedicated staff directory. While Kaylee Jones holds the director title for HHS, the "manager" role is shared across several specialized fronts.
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For instance, if you’re looking into the Childcare Development Fund (CCDF), you’re looking at a different set of hands. That program is massive—it handles everything from family application packets to income tax waivers for childcare subsidies. Then you have the Community Health Representatives (CHR). According to the latest Indian Health Service (IHS) data for 2026, Caitlin Schiltz has been a key contact point for CHR services.
And let's not forget the ground-level health stuff. Stacy Lindsly handles the Health and Wellness side of the house. Basically, if you want to join a wellness class or learn about disease prevention, she’s the one.
Why this role matters in 2026
Tribal sovereignty is a big deal, and managing HHS is how that sovereignty meets the pavement. The Peoria Tribe has been aggressively expanding their services. They recently broke ground on a massive greenhouse project, managed by Sam Doty, to bolster food security. This all feeds into the broader HHS mission.
When you call the main office at (918) 540-2535, you're looking for the people who manage these grants. We’re talking about millions of dollars. For the 2026 fiscal year, the tribe received significant funding from the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) for combined health services. Managing those funds isn't just about accounting; it's about making sure a family in Miami can afford childcare or that an elder has access to recovery resources.
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Breaking down the contact info
If you need to reach the manager of HHS Peoria Tribe or any of the leads, you don’t need a secret password. You just need to know where to look.
Most of the HHS operations are centralized at 118 S. Eight Tribes Trail in Miami, OK. However, some specific programs, like Peoria CARE, are located at 115 S. Main St. It's a small town, but those blocks matter when you're looking for help.
The tribe is pretty transparent. They have a staff directory that they actually keep updated—which is a miracle in the world of government websites.
Real-world impact
I heard about a case—well, more of a situation—where a family was struggling with the "re-entry" process after a tough time. The HHS department didn't just give them a pamphlet. They connected them with a Peer Recovery Support Specialist through the CARE program. That’s the difference between a "manager" on paper and a manager in practice.
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They provide NARCAN, they map out resources for all of Ottawa County, and they even handle burial assistance through Donna Harp’s office (the Enrollment Director). It’s a full-circle approach to life.
Actionable next steps
If you are a tribal citizen or a local resident needing assistance, here is the move:
- Identify your specific need. HHS is a broad umbrella. Do you need food (Peoria Fresh), childcare (CCDF), or recovery support (Peoria CARE)?
- Contact the lead directly. For general HHS and Child Welfare, ask for Kaylee Jones. For Food Security, ask for Kayla Budd.
- Check the forms. The Peoria Tribe website has an "A-Z Forms" section. Most of the stuff you need for HHS, like the CCDF application or Burial Assistance, is right there. Fill them out before you call to save yourself a headache.
- Visit in person if you're local. The office hours are standard: Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm.
The manager of HHS Peoria Tribe role is less about one person and more about a coordinated effort to keep the community healthy and safe. Whether it's Kaylee, Caitlin, or any of the other directors, the goal is the same: providing a steady hand for the Peoria people.