477–Self-Sufficiency Program Accomplishments/Successes
The Confederated Tribes of Siletz 477 – Self-Sufficiency Program (477-SSP) is able
to meet Tribal member clients where they are at in life. The program consists of a director
in Siletz and a staff person in every Tribal office; including Home Visiting Program staff.
While the Vocational Rehabilitation Program (VRP) is not officially a part of 477,
VRP staff are in each office and they work alongside 477-SSP staff to meet the needs
of Natives who are in need of rehabilitation services.
The program offers services ranging from cash assistance to job placement and
training and everything in between. The goal of the 477-SSP Program is to help Tribal
member clients obtain self-sufficiency by reducing barriers to employment.
While the program needed to be more creative to assist those seeking services in
the last few years with COVID setbacks, needs were still met. Program staff utilized
technology such as Zoom meetings to conduct regular check-ins with their clients.
Now that COVID restrictions have lifted and offices are open, the computer lab in
the administration building once again can be utilized for group training and assistance
with Social Security. Clients in Siletz need only to make an appointment with one of
the 477-SSP Program staff to come to the computer lab and be connected with a staff
person from the Social Security office.
The 477-SSP program has transitioned to virtual client workshops and each office
is rotating the hosting responsibilities. It hosted the following workshops in the quarter:
Wellness, Apprenticeships and Challenges. It also provided an orientation on services
and client expectations.
The program has scheduled workshops through the rest of the year and the staff
is planning monthly family engagement activities through TANF Purpose 3-4. These
workshops included Drumming, Regalia and Loop Earrings.
Over the past summer, 477-SSP staff worked diligently to provide added services
to TANF families. Staff once again provided assistance to Tribal families through
PEAF funding as part of the American Rescue Plan, combined with state TANF funds.
Each family received $400 per child to assist with school supplies and clothing for
the new school year. Most students have attended school in person this fall versus home
schooling and tutoring. This created a hardship on families who are already struggling
with loss of jobs, increased costs of groceries and fuel, and the stress of sick family
members and the loss of loved ones.
The staff also ran a virtual summer job program where Tribal students were paid
to participate in classes, do research and complete homework. They were able to learn
and get ready for school to start again. They also earned money to pay for their own
items, school clothes, etc. It was a great success and we received positive feedback on
the classes.
Statistical data for the first quarter 2022
Area
TANF TWEX GA EA NNCR CRT WEX OJT DP SS
Office
Eugene
0
0
6
0
0
1
0
0
0
1
Portland
3
0 16
0
0
2
0
0
1
1
Salem
1
0
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Siletz
16
0 35
1
0
0
4
1
0
1
Total
20
0 59
1
0
3
4
1
1
3
Highlights in the quarter:
53 applications, including 27 new cases
37 approved files in the second quarter
Staff made 82 outside referrals
3 clients entered unsubsidized employment
12 clients had positive closures
Home Visiting: Let your toddler help with safe things in the kitchen as they learn
Toddlers love to help. By helping, they
are practicing their growing independence,
contributing to the family and enjoying
time with the adults in their life.
Having toddlers help in the kitchen is
a great way to encourage their interest in
cooking and healthy eating. If they have
helped to make something, they are more
likely to want to taste it. As they help in the
kitchen they can engage all of their senses,
utilize their fine motor skills and learn
concepts such as counting and sequencing
(first we wash the fruit, then we cut it up).
Prep the space by removing any sharp
knives, hot liquids, cleaning supplies or
anything else that may be unsafe for your
child. If you have a sturdy stool for chil-
dren to stand on, you can let them stand
2022/2023
HUNTING/FISHING/GATHERING
INCENTIVES
at the counter away from the stove. If it is
easier, let them work at the table or even
a low play table.
•
Clean off surfaces and wash hands
before you begin. Any time your toddler
is in the kitchen or prepping and cooking
food, they should be supervised by an
adult working with them.
Cooking with a toddler does require
patience. Be prepared for it to be a little
messier than usual and take a little more
time. Remember this extra time and effort
on your part is a great investment in your
child’s development and health.
Here are few things to try:
•
•
Wash fruits and vegetables. As they
wash their fruit and vegetables, talk
about the texture, color, taste and
nutritional value.
Stirring. Give them a bowl and
wooden spoon and let them stir room
temperature ingredients. At first they
may need some help and things will
•
•
go over the edge, but with time and
practice they will get the hang of it.
Pouring. Children love to pour! Use
small measuring cups to pour dry
ingredients into a mixing bowl. Let
them try pouring some liquids as
well. Have a large enough container
for them to pour into and be prepared
for some spillage.
Mashing. So much fun to mash things.
Let them try using a masher or a fork
or even their hands (probably their
favorite) to mash a banana, avocado
or a cooled boiled potato.
Kneading, rolling and using cookie
cutters. Play dough is a favorite for tod-
dlers. You can let them help you make
homemade playdough or make cookies
or bread. They can help knead, roll and
cut out shapes. Cookie cutters can be
used to make shapes in bread, tortillas,
fruit, pancakes and more. Be creative.
Here is a simple snack recipe your
toddler can help you make.
Nesika Illahee Pow-Wow
HUNTING INCENTIVES
FISHING INCENTIVE
SHELLFISH INCENTIVE
Attention Siletz Tribal Artists
Royalty Crown Proposals
The Pow-Wow Committee is once
again having a logo contest for the
upcoming pow-wow in August 2023.
All Siletz Tribal artists are encouraged
to submit a pow-wow-themed logo.
The winning logo artist will receive
a cash prize of $300 and a professional
banner with your logo. They also will
have their logo highlighted on Nesika
Illahee Pow-Wow flyers and merchandise.
Please submit your artwork to the
cultural education director’s office at
the Siletz Tribal Community Center or
mail them to Confederated Tribes of
Siletz Indians, Attn: Pow-Wow Logo
Contest, P.O. Box 549, Siletz, OR
97380-0549.
All entries must be received no
later than March 3, 2023.
The Pow-Wow Committee is now
accepting proposals for 2023-2024
royalty crowns. Proposals are being
accepted for Miss Siletz, Junior Miss
Siletz and Little Miss Siletz.
Proposals for a crown must include
art design, size of the crown and a bid
for the crown or crowns of your inter-
est. Proposals can be submitted for
individual crowns, two crowns or you
can submit a bid for all three crowns.
Crown proposals must be turned in
to the committee no later than March 3,
2023. Proposals should be sent to Siletz
Pow-Wow Committee, P.O. Box 549,
Siletz, OR 97380-0549.
If you have any questions, contact
Buddy Lane at 800-922-1399, ext. 1230;
541-444-8230; or buddyl@ctsi.nsn.us.
Fruit Yogurt Dip
1 cup nonfat plain yogurt
1 tablespoon honey (never serve honey
to infants under 1 year of age. Honey
may contain bacteria that can make
an infant very sick.)
¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Combine all ingredients in a medium
bowl and mix well. Serve with cut-up fruit
of your choosing. Bananas, apples, pears
and strawberries are great choices.
Home Visiting is for families expecting
a baby or who have an infant or toddler. For
information about Home Visiting and eligi-
bility requirements, contact Lori Christy at
loric@ctsi.nsn.us or 503-390-9494.
CTSI Jobs
Tribal employment information
is available at ctsi.nsn.us.
Note: “Open Until Filled” vacancies
may close at any time. The Tribe’s Indian
Preference policy will apply. Tribal
government will not discriminate in
selection because of race, creed, age,
sex, color, national origin, physical
handicap, marital status, politics,
membership or non-membership in an
employee orgnization.
CTSI constantly is looking
for temporary employees to cover
vacancy, vacations, maternity leave
and extended sick leave. If you are
looking for temporary work that can
last from 2-12 weeks, please submit
an application for the temp pool.
November 2022
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Siletz News
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