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About Siletz news / (Siletz, OR) 199?-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 1, 2013)
Tribe requests your input to help develop next comprehensive plan The Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians is starting work on the next compre- hensive plan for 2015 through 2025. This process will be used to identify needs, goals and objectives to guide the work of Siletz Tribal programs and staff. Input and ideas will be sought from all segments of our community, including Tribal Council, Tribal Elders, Tribal members, Tribal managers and Tribal staff. While some aspects of the comprehensive plan timeline are still being developed, the following is provided as a general overview: Step 1: Present comprehensive plan process to Tribal Council for approval (November 2013). Step 2: Survey Tribal membership to identify needs, suggestions and goals (November 2013-February 2014). Siletz Tribal community input will be sought through a survey available via the Tribal website, Tribal newspaper/newsletters, Restoration Pow-Wow, Planning community meetings in January and other Tribal meetings. Survey responses will be kept strictly confidential. Your participation is crucial to ensure the final document will be an effective tool that can be utilized to guide our Tribe’s future needs. Surveys will include questions about Tribal member demographic or social conditions (such as age and income) and program services (such as housing and education). Step 3: Assemble, compile and complete initial prioritization of results (March- April 2014). Survey data will be collected, analyzed and reviewed by the comprehensive plan work group. Tribal community will review results at Tribal meetings and events, helping to prioritize suggestions and goals. Step 4: Tribal staff and Tribal managers review (May-June 2014). Survey data from Step 3 will be assembled, compiled and presented to Tribal staff for second review and then undergo a prioritization process based on program resources, available funding or grants, etc. Staff will identify benchmarks and timelines for priority goals and objectives. Step 5: Present comprehensive study draft to Tribal Council for review, suggestions and approval (June-July 2014). Step 6: Publish completed plan on Tribal website (September 2014). Distribute hard- copy version (October 2014). Photo by Diane Rodriquez Congratulations to Resident Organization and Siletz Tribe! Sami Jo Difuntorum (left), executive director of the Siletz Tribal Housing Department, presents the 2013 Resident Organization of the Year Award to Alicia Keene and Fawn Metcalf, chairman and secretary, respectively, of the Siletz Resident Organization. The award is from the Northwest Indian Housing Association and the organization was honored during NWIHA’s quarterly meeting in September in Suquamish, Wash. NWIHA represents 38 Tribal housing authorities and Tribal housing departments in four states. Additionally, the Siletz Tribe received the Tribe of the Year award for its leadership and innovation in its housing program. Specific accomplishments mentioned include clearing all HUD findings from 2004 and 2010 monitoring reviews and developing the Tillamook subdivision in Siletz. All Siletz Tribal members are encouraged to watch for further notices and updates about the comprehensive plan and survey. Your participation is essential! If you have questions or would like more information, please contact Pam Barlow- Lind, Tribal planner, at 541-444-8361 or 800-922-1399, ext. 1361; or Dave Davis, Tribal grant writer/planner, at 541-444-8235 or 800-922-1399, ext. 1235. For more information about the Siletz Tribe, please visit ctsi.nsn.us. USDA distribution dates for November; policy changes should help families Siletz Friday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Nov. 1 Nov. 4 Nov. 5 Nov. 6 Nov. 7 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Salem Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday In 2009, the FDPIR national board submitted a resolution to USDA/FNS, requesting that our program eligibility cri- teria be brought more in line with SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Pro- gram) guidelines. After several years of consideration and going through red tape, it has finally been approved. • paying rent and/or utilities out of pocket monthly, we will use a stan- dard deduction of $350 from total monthly income. • As of Sept. 26, 2013, we will: Nov. 18 Holiday Nov. 19 9 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. Nov. 20 9 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. Nov. 21 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. I would like to announce some policy changes implemented by USDA and FNS (Food and Nutrition Service). These changes are something Tribal organiza- tions and other agencies that implement Food Distribution Programs on Indian Reservations have been fighting for for many years. • • eliminate the household resource eligibility criterion. This means we do not have to verify money in check- ing, savings, stocks, bonds, etc. • expand the current deductions for medical expenses. If an elderly or disabeled household has verifi- able out-of-pocket medical expenses greater than $35 per month, we will be able to deduct that amount from monthly income. establish a deduction for shelter and utility expenses. If you are Add household verification require- ments relating to the medical and shelter/utility expense deductions. Revise household repor ting requirements This is such great news for many Tribal households that may have been over-income by a small amount previ- ously, if we can take advantage of the $350 standard deduction for shelter/utility costs. Also, in previous years whenever you received a per capita payment, you would not be eligible for food in that month. With the new policy of eliminating the resource eligibility criterion, clients who receive per capita payments less than monthly, such as Siletz (annual) and Grand Ronde (quarterly), will no longer have it counted and you will be eligible year-round. If you or someone you know thinks they may be eligible for food, please refer them to us. If you would like to know the income guideline and other program information, please visit Tribal website –ctsi.nsn.us. We are under the Social Services tab where you can get the application packet and the verification you will need to submit for eligibility. Joyce Retherford FDP Director 541-444-8393 Lisa Paul FDP Warehouseman/Clerk 541-444-8279 Farm Bureau can help you find Oregon’s best agricultural products this fall As autumn brings a chill to the air and a golden hue to the trees, Oregonians start dreaming of the season’s favorite agricul- ture products and experiences – a trip to a pumpkin patch, apple picking and cider sipping, and afternoon harvest festivals. To help families discover where they can buy fall fruits, vegetables, beverages, nuts, meats and more, the Oregon Farm Bureau (OFB) presents Oregon’s Bounty at oregonfb.org, an online searchable data- base of public agriculture ventures, includ- ing farm stands, pumpkin patches, U-pick orchards, harvest festivals and vineyards. “With nearly 400 farm stands listed in Oregon’s Bounty, it’s the state’s largest and best resource of farmers and ranchers who sell their ag products directly to the public,” said OFB Communications Director Ann Marie Moss. “Many of these stands are open through the fall and into winter. At oregonfb. org, Oregon’s Bounty allows visitors to search for specific items, like pumpkins or pears, and locate farms by region.” Celebrate autumn with your friends and family by enjoying the season’s best locally grown food and by supporting the family farmers and ranchers who are to thank for keeping Oregon agriculture sustainable, viable, and thriving. The Oregon Farm Bureau (OFB) is a voluntary, grassroots, nonpartisan, non- profit organization in all 36 counties with 8,000 member families that represents the interests of the state’s farmers and ranch- ers in the public and policymaking arenas. November 2013 • SiletzNews • 3
