14
S moke S ignals
APRIL 15, 2016
Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde
Social Security Disability
Insurance Benefit Advocate
Request for Proposal
The Request for Proposals (RFP) is being conducted by the Social Ser-
vices Department for the purpose of obtaining a contractor who has 5 plus
years’ experience in SSI/SSD advocacy/ benefit determination and the
qualifications to advocate for Tribal members who are seeking assistance
in the application process. Qualified applicants shall possess the ability to:
• Provide general information to Tribal members and make referrals
regarding SSI/SSD and Veteran’s Benefits.
• Screen Tribal members who claim their disability does to allow them
to work.
• Refer members to appropriate physical and/or mental health evalua-
tions.
• Determine the severity of the physical/mental health condition from
reports received. Make recommendations and assist Tribal members
develop an action plan.
• Assist Tribal members in applying for SSI/SSD and or Veteran’s ben-
efits.
• Assist Tribal Members with completing paperwork to file for appeals
for denial of SSI/SSD or Veteran’s benefits.
• Refer Tribal members to Tribal member benefits to apply for Tribal
SSI/SSD program.
• Serve as a resource to employees when working with clients that may
benefit from SSI/SSD or Veteran services.
Preference will be given to members of the Confederated Tribes of Grand
Ronde and/or Indian-owned businesses registered with the Confederated
Tribes of Grand Ronde TERO office.
Successful candidates must provide the following insurance:
Commercial General Liability Insurance limits not less than:
• $500,000 General Aggregate Limit
• $500,000 Personal Injury
• $500,000 Each Occurrence Limit
Please submit your proposal to Tammy Garrison by April 20, 2016, at
5 p.m.
Tammy Garrison, Social Services Department
9615 Grand Ronde Rd.
Grand Ronde, OR 97347
Tammy.garrison@grandronde.org
503-879-2077
Elders seeking help making jam
Tribal Elders are seeking small jelly jars, donations of sugar and vol-
unteers to help make jam for Elder Honor Day in July.
Drop off donations at the Elders Activity Center, 48940 Blacktail Drive.
For more information, call 503-879-2233.
Tribal members will be required
to register with BIA to vote
AMENDMENTS continued
from front page
the Grand Ronde Restoration Act;
provided, that such roll may be
corrected by Tribal Council with
the approval of the Secretary of
the Interior or the official Tribal
membership roll prepared by the
Tribe between Nov. 30, 1984, and
Sept. 14, 1999; provided that such
roll may be corrected by the Tribal
Council in accordance with the
Tribal Enrollment Ordinance.”
The second proposed amendment
would reduce General Council par-
ticipation requirements for initia-
tives, referendums and the calling
of special General Council meetings.
Currently, the Tribal Consti-
tution requires at least one-third
of the adult general membership
– more than 1,300 people – to
sign a petition for an initiative,
referendum, recall effort or mem-
bership-proposed constitutional
amendment to proceed.
Tribal Council members said un-
biased educational meetings will be
held before the election regarding
the possible effects of the two pro-
posed amendments.
Tribal Attorney Rob Greene said
the resolutions and proposed amend-
ments will be submitted to the Sec-
retary of the Interior for review and
calling of an election and that, if
promptly called, the constitutional
election is not expected to significant-
ly overlap with the upcoming Tribal
Council election in early September.
Tribal Council also adopted a res-
olution appointing Janet Giddings,
Sharon Hanson, Deanna Johnston,
Michael Mercier and Joann Mercier
to serve on the Election Board for
the Bureau of Indian Affairs Special
Constitutional Amendment Election.
Tribal members will be required
to register to vote with the BIA for
the special election. Thirty percent
of those who register to vote must
cast a ballot and two-thirds of those
voting must approve of the proposal
for an amendment to be adopted.
To watch the Wednesday, April
6, Tribal Council meeting in its
entirety, go to the Tribal website at
www.grandronde.org, click on the
News tab and then Video.
Ad created by George Valdez