Youth Services

Physical Address:
584 NW Bingo Rd, Building 100
Lawton, OK 73507

Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 908
Lawton, OK 73502

Phone:
(580) 492-3280

Fax Number:
(580) 492-4349

Hours of Operation:
Mon - Fri: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Mission

Comanche Nation Youth Services upholds core values that emphasize holistic wellness—spirit, mind, and body; cultural preservation through language, history, and teachings; responsible citizenship; and quality education for all Comanche youth. These values align with the nation’s shared vision for the future. The program's primary goal is to empower Comanche youth for a brighter tomorrow.

Taa Numu Turu?etuu Numi Tuetutuanu Sika Tabeni Sukuhu Tsaatu Puetsuku
"Serving our youth today for a better tomorrow."

Purpose and Priorities

Comanche Nation Youth Services focuses on four key areas:

1. Wellness - Encouraging physical health, mental clarity, and spiritual well-being to help youth lead balanced and fulfilling lives.
2. Culture - Promoting language, history, and traditional teachings to strengthen Comanche heritage and identity.
3. Citizenship - Instilling values of responsibility and community engagement among youth.
4. Education - Advocating for accessible, high-quality education to equip youth with the skills needed for future success.

Services

1. School Clothing Assistance - Supports Comanche-enrolled students with back-to-school clothing needs. The amount varies from year to year.
2. High School Senior Assistance - Helps offset the costs for seniors, including caps, gowns, announcements, and portraits (no reimbursements for senior orders).
3. Educational Support - Provides enrichment materials and school supplies.
4. High School Graduation Stole - All Comanche Nation-enrolled high school seniors who are on track to graduate during the current school year will receive a stole.
5. Youth Program Activities - Large and small group activities, after-school programs focusing on wellness, cultural learning, and citizenship.
6. Youth Sponsorships - Supports youth participation in cultural, educational, wellness, and citizenship-based activities. The sponsorship amount will be up to, but not exceeding, $200.00.

Note: All services are subject to funding availability.

Eligibility and Requirements for Services

School Clothing Assistance

Eligibility:

• Student(s) must be enrolled with the Comanche Nation. Pending enrollment will not be accepted.
• Student(s) must be enrolled in public, homeschool, private, charter, or boarding school.
• Student(s) must be enrolled in Pre-Kindergarten (turning 4 on or before September 1st) through 12th grade.
  • Note: Students older than 19 years will not receive assistance.

Homeschool Students:

• Current school year homeschool curriculum receipts must be submitted with the application.
• If the student is homeschooled through an online charter or virtual academy, a letter on official letterhead is required.

Application Process

• The applicant must be the legal/custodial parent, legal guardian, or caseworker at the time of submission.
• A new application (one per household) must be submitted each school year.
• Only the legal parent or guardian will receive information about the application status unless otherwise stated.

Submission Methods:
Completed applications may be submitted via:

• Walk-in
• Mail
• Email
• Comanche Nation Youth Services webpage:
  [comanchenation.com → Departments → Youth Services]

Required Documents (per student):

• Provide proof of Comanche Nation membership (C.D.I.B.).
• Report card from the previous school year (will accept a progress report, award, or class schedule for middle and high school students).
• Legal documents (custody order, power of attorney, etc.), if applicable and not previously submitted.

Note: Incomplete applications WILL NOT be accepted.

Assistance

• Assistance will be provided in the form of a designated clothing store gift card or a Visa gift card, depending on availability and funding.
• These cards are to be used exclusively for the purchase of school clothing and/or school supplies.
• Treat gift cards like cash or a personal credit card.
  • Lost or stolen cards cannot be replaced.
• A valid ID is required to pick up the gift card.

Prohibited Items:

Gift cards cannot be used to purchase:

• Consumable items (e.g., food, drinks)
• Gas
• Cell phones, phone cards, game cards, music cards
• Makeup, body sprays/colognes, purses, jewelry, or accessories
• Alcohol, tobacco, drugs, or paraphernalia

Note: Violating these restrictions may result in the future loss of services.

Receipts:

• Receipts must be returned to the Youth Services office via walk-in, mail, fax, or email.
• Deadline for receipt submission: June 1st
• Failure to return receipts will disqualify the applicant from future assistance.
• Non-compliant purchases totaling $25 or more will disqualify the student from assistance the following year.

High School Senior Assistance

• Seniors will receive assistance for senior-related expenses such as:
  • Cap and gown
  • Announcements
  • Senior portraits
• Assistance will be issued after October 1 of the current school year.

Important Notes:

• Fraudulent information or spending may result in ineligibility for future assistance.
• Student information may be shared with other Comanche Nation Educational Programs.

High School Graduation Stole

• No additional application is required to receive a graduation stole if the student has already applied for services during the current school year. If the student has not submitted an application, they must first apply for school clothing assistance.
• All Comanche Nation-enrolled high school seniors who are on track to graduate during the current school year will receive a stole.
• Seniors graduating early must provide official documentation from their school. This must include:
  • A letter on official school letterhead
  • A statement from a school representative confirming the student is approved to graduate early

Afterschool Program

Eligibility:

• Provide proof of Comanche Nation membership (C.D.I.B.).
• Be between the ages of 6 and 18.
• Submit a completed application with all required documents.
• Be eligible for one application per school year.

Application Process:

1. General Process:

• Parent/guardian must be the legal/custodial parent or legal guardian of the child and must fill out the application.
• A new application must be submitted each school year.
• Applications can be submitted via mail, fax, email, or the Comanche Nation Youth Services webpage.

1. Required Documents:

• Provide proof of Comanche Nation membership (C.D.I.B.).

Youth Camps

Eligibility:

• Be a Comanche Nation tribal member.
• Be between the ages of 6 and 18.
• Provide proof of Comanche Nation membership (C.D.I.B.).
• A new application will need to be submitted for each camp session.

Application Process:

1. General Process:

• Parent/guardian must be the legal/custodial parent or legal guardian of the child and must fill out the application.
• A new application must be submitted each school year.
• Applications can be submitted via mail, fax, email, or the Comanche Nation Youth Services webpage.

1. Required Documents:

• Provide proof of Comanche Nation membership (C.D.I.B.).

Youth Sponsorships

• Be a Comanche-enrolled student attending school in grades PreK through 12.
• Provide proof of Comanche Nation membership (C.D.I.B.).
• Submit a completed application with all required documents.
• Be eligible for one application per school year.
• Activities that align with the program’s focus areas: culture, education, wellness, and citizenship.

Application Process:

1. General Process:

• Parent/guardian must be the legal/custodial parent or legal guardian of the child and must fill out the application.
• A new application must be submitted each school year.
• Applications can be submitted via mail, fax, email, or the Comanche Nation Youth Services webpage.

1. Required Documents:

• Provide proof of Comanche Nation membership (C.D.I.B.).
• Parent Code of Conduct
• Student Code of Conduct
• W9 required from Vendor

Zero Tolerance Policy

The Comanche Nation has a ZERO TOLERANCE policy for violence, foul language, and abusive behavior. Verbal threats or acts of violence toward staff, associates, or visitors may result in the denial of services and potential prosecution as per the Executive Order of the Comanche Nation Business Committee, December 7, 2019.