Elders Program Accomplishments/Success – 2021-2022
The Elders Program is excited to finally see clients face-to-face again! While we
were not able to see our clients face-to-face for the last two and a half years, we still
served many elders and accomplished many goals.
The Meals on Wheels program was not able to host congregate meals while the
Tribe was in shutdown, however we did deliver meals to any Tribal elders who requested
them. In 2021, we delivered 2,301 meals. Through August 2022, we have delivered
2,092 meals for a total of 4,393 meals since January 2021. We will start the congregate
meals again as soon as possible and at that time, deliveries will once again require a
note from a doctor.
Meals on Wheels Delivered
2021
2022
1 st Quarter
513
763
2 nd Quarter
550
797
3 rd Quarter
621
532 (through September)
4 th Quarter
617
N/A
Total
2,301
2,092
The Title VI Chore Service Program has been active throughout the pandemic. In
2021 the program paid out 6,642 hours to the care providers of our elders. In 2021, the
program served 37 Tribal elders. Through the first two quarters of 2022, the elder Chore
Service Program has paid out 3,609 hours to care providers and served 39 Tribal elders.
Care Provider Hours
2021
2022
1 st Quarter
1,559
1,920
2 nd Quarter
1,692
1,689
3 rd Quarter
1,746
N/A
4 th Quarter
1,645
N/A
Total
6,642
3,609
We have been contracting with four of our Tribal elders to perform wellness check-
in calls with those who signed up for them. With the re-opening of the Tribe, these
positions will no longer be available. If you would like to continue receiving check-in
calls, please contact the Elders Program at 541-444-8212 or 541-444-8220.
The Elders Program hosted two Elder woodcuts in 2021. In July, 21 elders received
wood from the woodcut. In August, 23 elders received wood. The first woodcut of 2022
was in July and 25 Elders received wood. The next elders woodcut took place Sept. 17
and the final one in 2022 is set for Oct. 15 (see page 3).
The Elders Program sent out two separate care packages to each Tribal elder, one
in 2021 and another in April 2022. The program also is in the process of distributing
personal air conditioners to every Tribal elder. Most should have received theirs by
now but delays exist due to back orders. We are working hard to send the last ones in
a timely fashion.
The Elders Program put together a few trips for the elders despite the pandemic. In
August 2021, 33 elders traveled by bus to Reno, Nev., to attend the NICOA convention.
In December 2021, the elders hosted a holiday party at Chinook Winds Casino Resort
with approximately 190 guests.
Also in December 2021, 26 elders traveled to the MODA Center in Portland, Ore.,
for a Portland Trailblazers game. In April 2022, the elders threw the spring fling party
that hosted 200 elders and their guests at Chinook Winds.
In July 2022, the Elders Council hosted its first in-person meeting since March
2020. Previous to that meeting, we had been using Zoom to meet virtually. We are
working on plans to continue the virtual meetings paired with the in-person so all
who desire can participate.
It has been a long and difficult couple of years. We are a strong people, however,
and have battled through. We look forward to seeing and serving you again in person
as the Tribe opens back up and we begin to find our new normal again.
Legal Aid Services of Oregon, Oregon Law Center
can help with public benefits
We are excited to announce the reopening of the Elder WEX program! It had been
shut down since March 2020 due to the pandemic, but as of Sept. 1, 2022, we are once
again taking applications.
Legal Aid Services of Oregon and the Oregon Law Center, civil legal service
providers for low-income Oregonians, operate a public benefits hotline where
low-income Oregonians can talk to lawyers and paralegals to get advice on public
benefits, including unemployment benefits:
800-520-5292 or Oregonlawhelp.org.
Vaccine, continued from page 1
lems. And you kept a good eye on us after
the vaccine. Everyone agreed at our last
elders’ Zoom meeting this last weekend.
Your praises were sung! The staff was
friendly and welcoming – putting our
minds at rest –-since it can be a bit scary to
take a vaccine you’re not quite sure of. All
of you did a superb job and we appreciate
this so much.” Siletz Tribal Elder
“Thank you! I thought your drive-
through clinics were wonderfully done.
Especially yesterday with all the staff that
had to stand in the rain for hours. Thank
you and them for all of your work for our
community.” Siletz Tribal Member
“I want to thank you all for the oppor-
tunity provided to my family. The drive-up
clinic was an amazing experience. I don’t
know how you pulled it together but we
are extremely grateful and appreciate you
and the staffs that made it possible.” Siletz
Community Member
As we enter fall of 2022, COVID-
19 vaccine administration has generally
slowed down to a rate that is managed by
the medical department and a few addi-
tional COVID staff. There have been many
changes in recommendations regarding
COVID-19 vaccines and boosters since
they were first authorized for use in
December 2020.
In early September 2022, the FDA
approved a new version of the mRNA
COVID-19 vaccines, called bivalent vac-
cine. This bivalent version is available
from both Moderna and Pfizer. The biva-
lent version offers protection against the
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Siletz News
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original COVID-19 virus and the newer
variant, Omicron BA.4 and BA.5. The
goal of this combination is to offer cross
protection against many of the COVID-19
variants.
In addition to providing additional
protection against COVID-19, this new
bivalent vaccine simplifies the booster rec-
ommendations. Now everyone age 5 and
up is recommended to have one booster
after receiving their primary series of
COVID-19 vaccine.
Kids age 5-11 will still receive the
original monovalent COVID-19 for the
booster dose. Everyone age 12 and up will
receive one dose of the bivalent booster
regardless of immune deficiencies. People
who have already received one or two
doses of the previously approved monova-
lent COVID-19 booster are still eligible
to get one dose of the bivalent booster as
long as it has been at least two months
from their last COVID-19 vaccine.
People who have not had any
COVID-19 vaccine but have now
decided to get vaccinated will receive
their primary vaccine series using the
monovalent version. After they complete
their two- or three-dose primary series,
they are eligible for a booster dose with
the bivalent version two months after
completing the primary series.
Time for influenza vaccine
Fall is also the time to get your influ-
enza vaccine . SCHC normally starts
administering influenza vaccine by Oct.
1. Influenza cases were lower these past
October 2022
few years due to COVID. COVID numbers
are declining, however, and we are seeing
a return of other viruses such as common
cold and RSV. It is expected that influenza
virus will increase this fall and winter.
It is highly recommended that every-
one age 6 months and up receive an annual
influenza vaccine. Elders 65 and older
should receive the ‘high-dose’ influenza
vaccine. The COVID-19 and influenza vac-
cines can be given at the same time. There
is no need to delay getting either vaccine.
If you have recently had COVID-19,
you can still get both vaccines as long as
you are out of your five-day quarantine
window and your symptoms are improving.
You can find information regarding
influenza and COVID-19 vaccine avail-
ability and vaccination events on the
clinic’s various social media pages, on
the Tribal website or by calling the clinic
at 541-444-1030. Information regarding
COVID-19 illness, testing, vaccines or
resources can be directed to the SCHC
COVID line at 541-444-9613.
Courtesy photo from SCHC
Tribal staff help keep track of paperwork at a vaccine clinic.