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