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About Siletz news / (Siletz, OR) 199?-current | View Entire Issue (May 1, 2000)
TRIBAL PROGRAM NEWS Fund-Raising for Elders Continues Another New Program for Tribal Members by Tammy Wagner Back in April 1999, the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians of Oregon applied for a grant from HUD. The grant provides rental assistance for TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) clients who show a critical housing need that is a barrier for retaining employment. Statistics show that a lack of affordable housing is a barrier to employment and self- sufficiency. Ten percent of households currently receiving TANF assistance or who received TANF assistance in the past two years had achieved self-sufficiency, but returned to TANF assistance when they lost affordable housing or related services (child care, medical assistance, etc.). The purpose of this article is to let CTSI tribal members know about the Welfare to Work Voucher Program and its eligibility requirements. The Welfare to Work Voucher Program is a joint effort of the TANF Program and the Siletz Indian Housing Authority Section 8 Program. We currently have 32 vouchers available for TANF clients. I have begun fund raising for the Elders Emergency Repair Fund again. The nex activity will be a silent auction. This will take place at the Fifth National Tribal Conference on Environmental Management at Chinook Winds Casino in May. Tables will be set up in the vendors’ area with items donated by tribal members, families, and staff. If you would like to donate an item, please contact me at 1-800-922-1399, ext. 322, or 541 -444-8322. You may drop items off at the Siletz Indian Housing Authority. Coming Up I’m working to secure donations for an employee lunch in the CTSI administration building lunchroom. I have requested two party subs from Subway. I’ll let you know when this will occur. We are planning to have a food booth at the pow-wow again. I will work on getting as many food items donated as I can. Elena Bassett, the new executive director for SI HA, is already working on getting corn on the cob for us. This was a big success last year. Even with the mistakes we made, we still made a profit. It was a lot of work, but it brought out the true spirit of teamwork. Easter Pie Sale I apologize for not having the pie sale this Easter like I had mentioned before. Unfortunately, there were too many other things going on. My mom, who was the main pie maker, has been ill and had surgery twice in April. Mom is still trying to teach me how to make pie crust just like hers. I hope that someday I will be as good as she is. I can’t seem to keep it off the rolling pin. I really hope we can have another pie sale for Thanksgiving and make it an annual event. I also hope to get other items to raffle off at different times. I would like to fund raise throughout the year for different holidays. If anyone has any ideas for fund raising, please let me know. I can be reached at 1 -800-922-1399, ext. 322, or 541-444-8322. If I am unavailable, please leave a message. Community Service Stamps The board for community stamps is still up at JC Market in Toledo. I’ve noticed that it has taken an awfully long time to fill up the second card. Have a great month. 8 by Tammy Wagner Eligibility Criteria Families must be eligible to receive, are currently receiving, or have received services funded by the TANF Program within the preceding 24 months. Families must meet the Siletz Indian Housing Authority’s Section 8 eligibility guidelines. Section 8 Voucher Program assistance must be determined to be critical to the family’s ability to successfully obtain or retain employment. You must be on the Siletz Indian Housing Authority Section 8 waiting list or the Welfare to Work Voucher Program waiting list. You must not already be receiving assistance from the Section 8 Program. Benefits Eligible families can access rental assistance. Eligible families can access case management services. Eligible families can receive help to overcome barriers to self-sufficiency. Scholarships of $50 are available when clients achieve the stable level in any area of the Family Self-Sufficiency Matrix. The money can be used for anything relating to housing, such as furniture, yard work, home energy, appliances, etc. > Families can remain on the Welfare to Work Voucher Program up to 24 months, as long as they follow the guidelines for the TANF Program to obtain self-sufficiency’ >■ Families can obtain and retain employment that will support them and keep them permanently self-sufficient. How and Where to Apply If you are currently on TANF or have received TANF in the last 24 months, please contact Patricia Puma, resident services coordinator at the Siletz Indian Housing Authority, to obtain a Welfare to Work Voucher Program application. You can reach Puma at 541-444-2532 or at 1-800-922-1399. You also can get an application at the Siletz Indian Housing Authority office at 555 Tolowa Court in Siletz or at your local area office. If you are not currently on TANF but think you may be eligible, please contact a TANF staff member at your area office: Siletz - Valerie Hibdon or Linda Rilatos, 541 -444-2532 or 1 -800-922-1399 Salem - Randy Butler or Ticey Casey, 503-390-9494 Portland - Mike Ball or Angela Ramirez, 503-238-1512 Eugene - Laurel Bowser or Laurie Brown-Godfrey, 541-484-4234 After you have been placed on TANF, contact the Siletz Indian Housing Authority to apply for the Welfare to Work Voucher Program.
