Siletz news /, January 01, 2000, Page 9, Image 9

TRIBAL PROGRAM NEWS
Siletz Tribal Prevention Hosts Open Gym
The
Prevention
Program
currently is coordinating with other
programs to provide the community with
open gym sessions at Siletz School two
times per week. Days and times are
Friday from 8:30 - 10 p.m. and Sunday
from 4-6 p.m.
This Prevention Program activity
is designed to accomplish the following
goals: 1) Give youth something to do
when the weather is bad; 2) Bring youth/
families together; 3) Educate youth/
families about ATOD and health risk
factors; 4) Offer youth/families access to
information, services, and resources; 5)
Help youth/families provide service to
the community.
(See Prevention on page 12)
Housing Authority in Transition
By Connie Hoffman, Executive Director
This is the last housing report that I will write for the Housing Authority. By
the time that you read this, I will have left the job that I have held for the tribe since
Jan. 2, 1991.
I am indeed sad to leave this position, which has been a big part of my life
for the past nine years. It has been a privilege for me to be of service to tribal
members needing assistance from the Housing Authority.
I want to introduce a new staff member who joined us in November and who
will be a great asset to the Housing Authority. David Bailey is filling the new position
of project manager. He will oversee the many construction projects that we fund.
He has operated his own construction business for the past 10 years and prior to
that, he directed a housing program for the Grand Ronde Tribe.
The major project that he oversees is the construction of 20 homes in Siletz.
The site work is under way to develop this subdivision on the west edge of the city.
The modular homes that will occupy 20 of the lots are being built by Modern
Building Systems at its factory in Aumsville, near Salem. Due to weather conditions,
they probably will not be brought to the site until sometime next summer. Homebuyers
for these 20 homes will be selected from our Mutual Help program waiting list during
the next 30 to 60 days.
The remaining nine lots will be available to tribal members as home sites.
Our down payment program will be available to those who qualify and financing
programs may be available through the Housing Authority or tribe for the remainder
of the cost of the home. Private financing sources also are available through
conventional lenders.
Two programs funded through our housing block grant continue to attract
applications on a consistent basis. These are the emergency housing program
and the rehabilitation program for elders and disabled tribal members. The response
to these programs shows us where the greatest needs are and helps us plan wisely
to meet these needs in the future.
The Siletz Tribe is one of two tribes in the country that recently received
HUD funding for a Welfare-to-Work Voucher Program. This money will expand our
Section 8 program by targeting vouchers to families receiving Temporary Assistance
to Needy Families (TANF). The tribe’s Employment Services Program (ESP) will
provide services to families receiving these vouchers to help them achieve the
program’s goal of self-sufficiency.
******
I want to thank each and every one of you with whom I have had contact
over the past nine years. We at the Housing Authority could not have accomplished
what we have without the support of Tribal Council, the assistance we have received
from tribal staff, and above all, the input we have received from tribal members. I
will make use of all of the experience and knowledge I have gained here. I hope
that 2000 is a wonderful year for all of us.
Education Includes a
Variety of Programs
Head Start
The Head Start Program is an
early childhood developmental program
preparing 3- and 4-year-old children for
public school.
Siletz Tribal Head Start focuses
on education, health, social services,
cultural enrichment, and parental
involvement. Children participate in a
structured classroom environment a
minimum of four days per week, three
and one-half hours per day. Centers are
located in Siletz, Springfield, and Salem.
Each center serves 20 children.
The Siletz Community Preschool
Program provides a tuition-based early
childhood program for 3- and
4-year-olds.
Siletz Tribal Head Start goals
include strengthening parental
involvement and training, developing the
Salem Center as an early childhood
education training lab for Chemawa
High School students, expanding Head
Start services to Portland, increasing
Siletz and Salem by 10 slots for home­
based programs, and providing financial
support for any tribal member 3- or
4-year-old to attend a certified
preschool program.
Supplemental Education
The Siletz Tribe Supplemental
Education Program provides Johnson
O’Malley (JOM) and Adult Education
services, which benefit Indian children,
youth and adults by supporting their
intellectual growth, vocational goals,
and cultural enrichment. The programs
also advance the participant’s physical,
social and emotional growth.
The JOM program provides basic
services such as tutoring, cultural
enhancement and college preparation
classes to supplement existing
educational programs available in
communities. Services are provided to
Indian children 3 years old through high
school. A Parent Committee assists with
assessing needs, identifying activities
and services, and establishing a budget
for activities.
(See Education on page 10)
9