477 Self-Sufficiency Program offers Summer Youth Employment Program
The 477 Self-Sufficiency Program
(SSP) is accepting applications for our
Summer Youth Employment Program
(SYEP).
This program is separate from the
Tribal Youth Employment Program offered
through the Education Department.
The program’s mission is to provide
youth age 14-24 with the opportunity to
gain employment or education skills in
a field that interests them. Our current
placements are 240 hours and pay is
$12/hour for Work Experience and
$9/hour for Classroom Training stipends.
The program is available to youth who
reside within the 11-county service area.
Placements can start as early as July 1 and
end by Aug. 31.
Basic eligibility criteria includes, but
is not limited to, the following:
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Youth must be between ages 14-24 at
the time of application.
Amer ican Indian ver ification
(includes American Indian, Native
Alaskan and Native Hawaiian) and
those enrolled in a federally recog-
nized Indian Tribe. Participants can
also be eligible with verification of
descendancy from a family member
who is enrolled with a federally rec-
ognized Tribe.
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Latest school grade report. Par-
ticipants will need to have at least a
minimum grade point average (GPA)
of 2.0. Participants below a 2.0 can
participate in the Classroom Training
Program and receive a stipend while
attending summer school.
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Income eligibility requirements apply.
Slots are limited and are on a first-
come, first-served basis. If you are inter-
ested in applying for the Summer Youth
Employment Program, contact one of our
Tribal services specialists or intake special-
ists located in each of the Tribal offices.
Applications are available now and
will be accepted through June 14, 2019.
MAT services coming to Salem area Social Security reverses harmful
The Siletz Community Health Clinic MAT is primarily used for the treatment
will soon offer Medication Assistance of addiction to opioids such as heroin and policy on trusts for disabled members
Treatment (MAT) in Salem, Ore. The
clinic is contracting with a local pro-
vider, Eric Davis, MSW, CADC III, and
JD Health and Wellness to offer these
services.
MAT services that will be provided
include medication treatment (SUBOX-
ONE ® / VIVITROL ® /Antabuse), mental
health counseling, and A&D counseling.
What is MAT? MAT is the use of
medications with counseling and behav-
ioral therapies to treat substance use
disorders and prevent opioid overdose.
prescription pain relievers that contain
opiates. (SAMHSA).
Who is eligible for services at the
Salem MAT clinic? Siletz Tribal mem-
bers, other Natives, and non-Native with
close family ties. Initially, the program is
able to accept 25 patients.
When will services be available?
June 2019 (tentatively).
For more information about the Salem
MAT program, contact Delina John,
CADC I, at 541-444-9697 or 800-922-
1399, ext. 1697.
Social Security video conferencing available
The Siletz Tribe and the Social Security Administration (SSA) entered into an
agreement to participate in SSA’s Video Service Delivery (VSD) project. “The goal of
the VSD project is to reach out to members of the public who wish to conduct busi-
ness with SSA, in remote locations, through real-time video conferencing in order to
provide them with better information and access to SSA services.”
In the past several years the Siletz Tribe has noticed a disturbing trend in Social
Security Administration (SSA) policy. The agency started to classify Tribal minor and
disabled adult trusts from per capita gaming revenue as something SSA regulations call
a “resource.” This classification was then being used to exclude some of our disabled
minors and adults, or those otherwise in need and qualified for SSA benefits.
Staff worked hard to investigate this trend, to identify its source and after that to
negotiate with SSA. This allowed us to amend our Distribution Ordinance so that the
problem could be reversed. Tribal Council passed an Amendment Resolution on April
23, 2019; then we waited.
As a result of staff’s continuing efforts, on May 10, 2019, the Tribe’s Legal Depart-
ment was told that SSA’s regional office and its attorneys have accepted the amended
ordinance’s wording. SSA will no longer classify Siletz’ minor and disabled trusts as
a “resource,” making those members again eligible for SSA payments. Hopefully, this
will result in benefits being restored to some of our most vulnerable members.
Staff will continue to work hard with states and counties on this project in the coming
weeks. Our aim is to be sure that those critical federal SSA benefits are restored to all deserv-
ing Tribal members and that they remain available in the future, safe from similar attacks.
If you are having trouble with your Social Security benefits, please contact Tribal
administration so we can continue to work on these issues.
Video conferencing services are available in the Siletz administration building
located at 201 SE Swan Ave., Siletz, OR 97380. Conference openings are normally
available Tuesdays between 1-4 p.m.
To schedule a video conferencing appointment, contact Kyanna Fisher, Tribal ser-
vices specialist, at 541-444-8222; 800-922-1399, ext. 1222; or kyannaf@ctsi.nsn.us.
Culture Craft Nights
Feather Dance Practice
Courtesy photo
L to r: NINAETC co-chairs Margaret Zientek and Erwin L. Pahmahmie Jr.; Craig
Regester, Food for Lane County; and Kurtis Barker, 477-SSP director
477-SSP program nominates local
employer for national award
Siletz
Tribal Community Center
June 3 • 5-7 p.m.
Eugene
Eugene Area Office
June 4 • 5-7 p.m.
Portland
Portland Area Office
June 10 • 5-7 p.m.
Salem
Salem Area Office
June 11 • 5-7 p.m.
Come and learn how to dance in
the Feather Dance and learn our tradi-
tions surrounding the dance.
Siletz Tribal members and their
families welcome. Young people
under age 10 need an adult to accom-
pany and assist them.
The Siletz Culture Department
will provide instructors to assist.
Contact: Bud Lane, budl@ctsi.
nsn.us; 541-444-8320 or 800-922-
1399, ext. 1320
Sponsored by the Education and
Culture Departments
The 477 Self-Sufficiency Program nominated Food for Lane County for an Out-
standing Employer Award at the National Indian and Native American Employment
& Training Conference (NINAETC).
Food for Lane County was selected to receive the award for its contributions and
continued partnership with the 477 program. Food for Lane County selected Craig
Regester to accept the award on its behalf. Craig was a previous Work Experience and
On-the-Job Training participant who is still employed with the organization.
Food for Lane County has been a partner with 477 for well over 10 years. It has
trained and hired numerous participants throughout those years.
Food for Lane County worked with us when many organizations and businesses
were reluctant. They provided worksite training and certifications to participants with
challenging backgrounds and those with little to no work history.
We look forward to our continued partnership and congratulate Food for Lane
County on its Outstanding Employer Award. The award was presented at the 2019
NINAETC Conference that took place in Durant, Okla., in April.
June 2019
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Siletz News
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