NCIDC Agency History
The NCIDC began as an Indian youth education program provider. Soon after formal incorporation NCIDC was designated a Native American Grantee, to serve the employment and training needs of the American Indian people residing in Del Norte, Humboldt and Siskiyou counties, by the U. S. Department of Labor. Employment and training programs continue to be provided for Indian people of these counties, and Trinity County which was added to the NCIDC "primary service area" during Fiscal Year 1981. The NCIDC provides many programs and services, including: education, employment and training services; statewide disaster assistance programs, food and nutrition program awareness and assistance; housing development and rehabilitation services; transportation assistance; child care; youth education, career exploration and recreational services; habitat enhancement on the Klamath River; and community development and enhancement projects among others.
In 1978, NCIDC became one of a very limited number of Community Services Administration Indian grantees located in Region IX. Although established as a Limited Purpose Agency, NCIDC functions in a similar capacity to a Community Action Agency, with the exception being the service population focus of American Indians.
The primary service area continues as a focus of NCIDC's efforts; however, since 1984 the Corporation has developed a statewide service network. Originally, in 1984 NCIDC contracted with the State Department of Economic Opportunity to provide Community Service Block Grant - American Indian Set-Aside (CSBG) Program services to the Indian people residing in 56 counties of the State. As of Program Year 1998 the CSBG contract includes 57 counties and 102 reservations and rancherias. In addition, NCIDC now operates a statewide Low-Income Housing Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and a disaster assistance program serving Indian communities throughout the state.
Active concerns and efforts span a great number of areas from environmental preservation and restoration, to economic and cultural development. Through the efforts of tribal governments and organizations such as NCIDC, Indian people will continue to play an increasingly important and central role in the ongoing development of our local communities and the State of California for future generations.