eastern shoshone p.l. 102-477 narrative report shoshone. 2016 to 2017 ar..nar_.pdfeastern shoshone...
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Eastern Shoshone P.L. 102-477 Narrative Report
October 1, 2016 – September 30, 2017
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EASTERN SHOSHONE P.L. 102-477
NARRATIVE REPORT
MISSION STATEMENT
ALL TRIBAL APPLICANTS, RECIPIENTS OF TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE
FOR NEEDY FAMILIES AND LOW-INCOME INDIVIDUALS, ARE
ENCOURAGE, ASSISTED AND REQUIRED TO FULFILL THEIR
RESPONSIBILY TO SUPPORT THEIR CHILDREN BY PREPARING FOR
ACCEPTING AND RETAINING SUCH EMPLOYMENT AS THEY ARE
CAPABLE OF PERFORMING TO BECOME SELF-SUFFICIENT.
Eastern Shoshone P.L. 102-477 Narrative Report
October 1, 2016 – September 30, 2017
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The Eastern Shoshone Tribe P.L. 102-477 Plan is fully integrated in all stages and consistent
with statutory and regulatory requirements for each program.
Implementation and integration of the Eastern Shoshone Tribe P.L. 102-477 services provides
training to better serve the client or that client’s family needs with vocational training, on-the-job
training components, including work experience activities, youth activities, work supportive
service to enter, re-enter or retain unsubsidized employment, child care for families in need of
daycare for their children, financial assistance and barrier removal from welfare to work.
INTERGRATED 477 PROGRAMS
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR (DOL)
Workforce Investment Act (WIA)
Adult Comprehensive
Supplemental Youth
HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES (HHS)
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
Native Employment Works
Child Care Development Fund
Discretionary & Mandatory
INTERIOR/BUREAU OF INDIAN AFFAIRS (BIA)
Job Placement Training
Eastern Shoshone P.L. 102-477 Narrative Report
October 1, 2016 – September 30, 2017
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TPA/Welfare Assistance
ADULT SERVICES
The Eastern Shoshone 477 Employment & Training Work Experience services are subsidized in
the public sector or in a private non-profit agency. The work situations are temporary, and not
necessarily expected to directly result in unsubsidized employment for the participants. The
purpose is to provide work experience, to develop occupational skills, customer service skills,
and good work ethics and to help with their life management skills.
The Work Experience placement does not exceed 6 months or 1000 hours, and all work
experience assignments are geared toward career orientation and eventual job placement. Work
experience activities are paid for work actually done and the wage rate is minimum wage or the
prevailing wage rate for similar positions at that job site.
In FY 2014-2015, FY 2015-2016 and FY 2016-2017; the EST 477 On-the-job-training (OJT)
programmatic barrier continues to lack in finding employers that are interested in placing
participants into subsidized employment due to tribal budget cuts and working hours.
Occupational Training included in providing supported services for two (2) participants; tuition
for both individuals in taking the Certified Nursing Assistant classes through the Fremont
County BOCES. Another participant in examination fees for the State of Wyoming Certified
Nursing License.
SUCCESS STORIES
In FY 2016-2017 there were six (6) individuals hired after their training hours were completed.
Six (6) other individuals completed their training hours
Wind River Indian Health Service – IT Assistant
Shoshone & Arapaho Drug Court – Secretary
Wind River Indian Health Service – Health Records / 90 Day Contract
Eastern Shoshone Housing Authority – Carpenter
Wind River Indian Health Service – Maintenance Assistant / 90 Day Contract
Eastern Shoshone Tribe Business Council – Secretary
Eastern Shoshone P.L. 102-477 Narrative Report
October 1, 2016 – September 30, 2017
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YOUTH SERVICES
Summer of 2017 began with sixty (60) applicants applying for Summer Youth Employment.
Applications were screened for eligibility and thirty-one (31) youths were selected. A Pre-
employment drug test was scheduled for all applicants that were considered eligible. The Eastern
Shoshone Human Resource Department confirms and authorizes youth applicants for
employment.
The Youth Program started with an orientation with an introduction of the 477 Program and
Staff. Required paperwork (I-9’s, W4, Employability Development Plans) Rules of conduct was
completed for hiring process.
Presenters from the Legal Aid of Wyoming, Fremont County Alliance Against Domestic
Violence and the Eastern Shoshone Department of Family Services.
Youth employment allowed the participants to develop and enhance work ethics, leadership,
conflict resolutions, life management skills, and valuable experience.
An end of the year picnic was held for all EST 477 Summer Youth participants. Completion
Certificates and incentives was awarded for all participants that completed the youth program.
Again the 477 Summer Youth Program was successful thirty (30) participants completed with
one (1) participant employment objective was not achieved.
CHILD CARE SERVICES
The EST 477 Child Care Services assists families that are making the transition from welfare to
work through educational and training programs; parent/s could not participate if this program
did not help them through those costly and trying times in achieving lifetime goals. It also
provides for families that are working full time and still meet the low-income criteria.
The Eastern Shoshone Child Care Services served fifty-seven (57) families and eighty-four (84)
children during the FY 2016-2017. Eligible children were under the age of thirteen (13). The
Eastern Shoshone P.L. 102-477 Narrative Report
October 1, 2016 – September 30, 2017
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care provided was a total of twenty-nine (29) providers. Fourteen (14) Center Based providers,
nine (9) Family Child Care Home providers, six (6) Group Home providers and the 477 Child
Care does not provide care in the Childs home.
Four (4) State Licensed Daycare Centers, four (4) Group Home and four (4) Family Child Care
Home providers were approved for services to families needing services for their children. One
(1) Licensed Center Based Daycare closed its doors due to unseen circumstances.
The EST 2015/2018 Plan Child Care Services definitions based on case by case, child care will
be provided to applicants who have accepted an internship, on-job-training or attending college
off reservation land. The applicant (parent) must maintain permanent residence within the above
stated service area and return to said within a year or completion of internship, OJT or college.
(A state licensed childcare center must be used. Time Limit: 1 year.
The EST 477 Child Care Services assist families that are working, attending a job or educational
training or a child who needs protective services. Teen parents that are not TANF eligible and
attending High School full time on regular basis.
An agreement between the EST 477 Program and the Cradle Board to Crayons Tribal Daycare to
provide services to families that are required to attend 477 cultural or educational classes,
workshops or meetings as a drop off services on specific days arraigned by their case managers
or by the Family Formations office.
The Eastern Shoshone Child Care provided an Infant/Toddler Heartsaver CPR course for eleven
providers each received their certificate to meet the health and safety requirements.
In FY 2017-2018 the Eastern Shoshone 477 Child Care Services have been attending on-line
webinars and will be attending CCDF Conferences and Trainings to meet the Health and Safety
Requirements and Standards.
EDUCATIONS SERVICES
Eastern Shoshone P.L. 102-477 Narrative Report
October 1, 2016 – September 30, 2017
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Central Wyoming College in Lander WY offers High School Equivalency Credential classes in
Fall and Spring sessions, students have the opportunity to enroll in either semester consisting of
2 sessions being held. Each student must attend daily for seven (7) weeks this gives students one
on one with instructors, each student that enrolls has a $25 registration fee (fee waivers is
available based on need) students are given a student card allowing them to have access to all
student activities held at Riverton and Lander Colleges.
EST 477 participants still can utilize the Eastern Shoshone Learning Center for GED prep classes
at their own pace. The GED exam includes four individual subtests in the subject areas:
Literacy, Math, Social studies, and Science. Participants have the option to take one or the four
GED subtest (modules) when they feel ready to do so, but must complete the entire GED battery
within two years.
SPECIAL SERVICES FOR PUBLIC ASSISTANCE RECIPIENTS
The Eastern Shoshone 477 Program’s General Assistance served one hundred seventy-four
(174) individuals one hundred twenty-two (122) were employable and fifty-two (52) were
unemployable all one hundred twenty-two (122) individuals had a self-sufficiency plan in place.
The main objective has been to provide direct cash assistance services to all federally recognize
tribal members of the Wind River Indian Reservation. These low income individuals are
encouraged, assisted and required to fulfill their responsibilities by preparing for accepting and
retaining employment or education in order to become self-sufficient. These individuals have
been encouraged to utilize the one-stop services provided by the 477 Program. These direct
serviceable contact opportunities provides a means for these low income individuals to emerge
from their dependency of welfare in order to become more productive and independent
individuals.
The Eastern Shoshone 477 Program requires all incoming and current clients to complete the
477-intake application and sign an Individual Responsibility Contract plus develop an Individual
Self-Sufficiency Plan which focuses on the elimination of personal barrier preventing self-
Eastern Shoshone P.L. 102-477 Narrative Report
October 1, 2016 – September 30, 2017
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sufficiency. The EST 477 Program Welfare Assistance services have intensified the client
requirements which have improved the client compliancy level. In conjunction with Indian
Health Service has improved the quality of services for those individuals who are seeking Social
Security Disability benefits. There have been several individuals who are seeking disability who
have been referred to the Red Feather Vocational Rehabilitation to determine the level of
disability. Those individuals who have been seeking Social Security Disability benefits have
been providing medical and Social Security status documentation to the Eastern Shoshone 477
Program to remain in compliance with the Welfare Assistance requirements.
A financial prediction did not foresee the constant growth in participants during FY16. The
federal funding has been exhausted which is a true indicator the Wind River Reservation is in
need of more federal funding in order for the General Assistance to continue to provide for the
participants basic needs. This unfortunate circumstance of the rise in cases is due to
unemployment, poor job market and Tribal per capita payment decreasing 50% from 2016 to
2017.
The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families goal of the Eastern Shoshone Temporary
Assistance program is to work to move financial assistance recipients from welfare to self-
sufficiency (work), with opportunity for life changing choices that will protect their personal
dignity, pride, and cultural identity.
In fiscal year 2016/2017 - Cash Assistance recipients were served in benefits in the form of cash
assistance to eligible participants in meeting the basic unmet needs of TANF. Services are
provided to single, two-parent households and child-only cases.
Monthly cash assistance amounts are based on the State of Wyoming’s Temporary Assistance
for Needy Families payments. The cash grants are based on the size of the household.
Once services are identified for Cash Assistance the adult(s) first meet with the 477 Intake
Specialist collecting all documentation for the entire family to determine if the family meets the
eligibility requirements for program services. The adult(s) then meets with a benefits specialist
Eastern Shoshone P.L. 102-477 Narrative Report
October 1, 2016 – September 30, 2017
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for a full interview of all income and resources if any, to determine the level benefits available to
the family. The adult(s) then meets with an assigned 477 case manager to create a plan focusing
on the 3 main objectives of Employment, Education/Training or Other Objectives for the
client(s). Clients are required to follow the plan, submit monthly eligibility reports and
timesheets for work participation (20 hours per family per week) and to meet with their case
manager once every month. Child only cases meet with Case Managers once every three
months. GA and other 477 cases also required to meet with their case manager once every three
months.
To meet minimum work participation rate requirements for each assistance recipient, the Tribe
chooses to offer all the allowable and countable work activities per week, per family, to be 20
hours of qualified activities
Once services are identified for Cash Assistance the adult(s) first meet with the 477 Intake
Specialist collecting all documentation for the entire family to determine if the family meets the
eligibility requirements for program services. The adult(s) then meets with a benefits specialist
for a full interview of all income and resources if any, to determine the level benefits available to
the family. The adult(s) then meets with an assigned 477 case manager to create a plan focusing
on the 3 main objectives of Employment, Education/Training or Other Objectives for the
client(s). Clients are required to follow the plan, submit monthly eligibility reports and
timesheets for work participation (20 hours per family per week) and to meet with their case
manager once every month. Child only cases meet with Case Managers once every three
months. GA and other 477 cases also required to meet with their case manager once every three
months.
The Maintenance of Effort-MOE (with the State of Wyoming Department of Family Services)
to provide financial, technical and administrative support to the E. Shoshone Tribal P.L. 102-
477 TANF Program has continued to remain in good standings.
October 2016/February 2017 the Eastern Shoshone 102-477 Program held their annual Clothes
Shopping for TANF school age children. For eligibility for children to get the 1st Distribution in
October 2016 a school verification is required proving each child has attended school ten (10)
Eastern Shoshone P.L. 102-477 Narrative Report
October 1, 2016 – September 30, 2017
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consecutive days from the first day of school in August and the family case must be in good
standing. A $300 Kmart Shopping card was dispersed for each eligible child. The eligibility for
the 2nd distribution in February 2017 school grades and attendance was required. Students had
to have a grade of “C” average and above, absence five (10) days or less, a $200 Kmart
Shopping card was dispersed for each eligible child and the family case has to be in good
standing. On both clothing distributions 477 staff were stationed at the store for
parents/guardians to return all shopping receipts.
In May 2017 the Shoshone Bannock 477 Human Services in Fort Hall, Idaho held their 2nd
Annual TANF/GA Conference and invited our 477 Staff and clients. Seven (7) 477 Clients
attended. There was a wide variety of topics that covered local resources as well as topics that
our 477 Program can implement into our services.
September 2017 the 477 Program held a 477 Program Orientation for the Cash Assistance
Clients on policies on Monthly Eligibility Reports, Work Participation Hours, Supportive
Services, Penalties/Sanctions, and School Age Clothing explaining the 2nd Distribution policies.
Provided information on future workshops and trainings.
The Family Resource Outreach is among the family services provided to strengthen families
and is dedicated to educate the clients within regards to cultural activities of the Eastern
Shoshone Tribe. The department also provides a reading program, cultural classes and
education/health sessions classes, which are hour long to educate the clients on social, health and
economic issues.
The Family Resource Department held numerous activities which are listed in the Services area
below. The client receives an Incentive for either Attendance or Completion and in some cases,
both. It depends on the activity which is scheduled.
The Family Resource Department encourages client participation in the sessions being provided.
Cultural activities are held every other month and many of the clients are offered this opportunity
to become part of the classes to learn the art and creation of the cultural projects. Once the client
has completed their project(s) in the current activity, they receive a Completion and an
Attendance Incentive.
Eastern Shoshone P.L. 102-477 Narrative Report
October 1, 2016 – September 30, 2017
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The Education Sessions provided are based on a monthly health chart and depends on the topic
such as, for example; Healthy Living, Cent$ible Nutrition, Prediabetes and Diabetes Awareness,
Alcohol Prevention, Child Abuse Prevention, Breast Cancer Awareness, Sun Safety, Infant
Information on Immunizations, Meth “The Path to Spiritual Ruin, Addiction-Road to Recovery,
Growing Resilience (How to garden that impacts family health in Wind River Reservation),
Winter Activities for Youth, etc. Sessions are to promote awareness of precautions, if affected by
any of these within their family circle. Other Activities included awareness of infants such as a
session held for New Mothers or Families that had new additions titled “Newborn/Infants &
Toddlers Child Care Part #1 & Part #2. This topic covered immunizations, car seat safety, the
Women Infants & Children Program (WIC), Kid Care (Medical Insurance), Learning Activities
to do at home with their children.
The Family Resource Department also holds community activities such as the 477 Annual
Community Day, Prevent Child Abuse Walk, Tribal Health Fair, Annual Easter Egg Hunt,
Christmas Activity, Halloween Carnival, Flea Market, and the Reading Club.
The P.L. 102-477 Family Resource Outreach Services had many activities that took place over
the course of the year.
Services included:
Marriage and Family Strengthening
Cultural Classes
Maximize Resource Availability in 477 Program
Cultural Supports for Family Unity
Literacy Reading Program (For Children Only)
Educations Sessions
Health Awareness
Food Bank Assistance
Eastern Shoshone P.L. 102-477 Narrative Report
October 1, 2016 – September 30, 2017
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The Food Bank Assistance is food donated by the National Relief Charity (NRC) from Rapid
City, SD deliver quarterly and items are boxed and given out on a first come, first served basis to
477 Needy Families. The 477 Office does not have the storage to keep donated food and is given
out, as items are boxed and ready.
During FY 2016/2017 the Family Resource held Cultural Classes advertising for Native Artist
Instructor’s to teach clients of different projects whether the client chooses to continue the skill
to earn a few dollars. Classes are chosen based on the project that the client had no knowledge
of, but learning the fundamentals.
Basic Sewing Class
Ribbon Skirt Making (Class #1)
January through March 2017 a mandatory six (6) weeks Centsible Nutrition Class “Helping
Families Eat Better for Less” was scheduled for new TANF clients to attend. Students learn
“Food Safety”, “Menu Planning”, “Healthy Alternatives” and “Budgeting”. Every week students
have hands on meal preparations of various recipes from the Centsible Nutrition Cookbook. The
477 TANF had thirty-eight (38) clients complete all earning a certificate for this class, while
fourteen (14) dropped from the class and five clients (5) was excused due to attending college
courses or for medical reasons. The 477 Program will continue with more classes’ in the
upcoming months, the University of Wyoming Centsible Nutrition also has changed the
curriculum increasing to eight weeks of classes and also updating the cook book.
June 2017 the Eastern Shoshone 477 Program held its 8th Annual Community Day. The day
consisted of games (tribal stick hockey, spear throwing, tug of war, racing), a flea market, and
donated items; household items, toys and books from the National Relief Charity (NRC) out of
Rapid City, SD are free to the community.
Eastern Shoshone P.L. 102-477 Narrative Report
October 1, 2016 – September 30, 2017
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June-August 2017 Youth activity/Matinee/Movies children were taken to the movies once a
week, the 477 Program purchased popcorn and a drink for the children in attendance.
July 2017 the 477 Program held a First Annual Bike Rodeo for Youth ages four (4) to twelve
(12) years old. The Fremont County Injury Prevention, Eastern Shoshone Tribal Health Program
and Eastern Shoshone Housing Authority volunteered or donated a bikes for the different age
groups. Centsible Nutrition provided healthy snacks for the kids, the Fremont County Hi-Way
Patrol came out to talk about the importance of Car Seat Safety and to demonstrate the vehicle
roll over crash for individual’s that don’t wear a seat belt.
Safety Demonstrations
Obstacle Course
Free Helmets to the First 60 kids
Free Water Bottles
Free Healthy Snacks for Children and Parents
SUPPORT SERVICES
The 477 Program Supportive service payments are not automatic nor an entitlement. Each
request is examined to determine if the participant has met all the criteria for the supportive
service, and that the supportive service will assist the family to achieve self-sufficiency.
The need has to be specific and identified in the Client’s Plan for Self Sufficiency or stated as a
barrier to employment and directly related to an approved plan activity or employment
opportunity and is the last means within which to meet the need.
Eastern Shoshone P.L. 102-477 Narrative Report
October 1, 2016 – September 30, 2017
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Supportive services are provided to participants for continued employment or to gain
employment. Contracts are necessary for certain Supportive services such as rental agreements
and training programs. Breach of contracts will be recouped or deducted from cash assistance
grants or payroll wages.
Sixty-one (61) Participants were assisted with support services ranging in:
Work Clothing/Uniforms
Equipment/Work Tools
Rent and Deposit/Delinquent Rent
Child Care
Public Transportation/Mileage
Vehicle Repairs
Driver’s License
Basic Needs – New Baby
Clothing for School age Children (Early Head Start to High School)
Grooming, Medical and Dental
Professional license
Automobile Insurance (No High Risk)
Current and Delinquent Utilities (delinquent considered as 1 time only)
Food (Participants on the Food Stamp program are case by case)
Emergency (Case by Case)
EASTERN SHOSHONE TRIBE LOW INCOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
The Eastern Shoshone 477 Program provides services for the Low Income Energy Assistance
Program for eligible households that reside on the Wind River Reservation. In FY 2017 the
Eastern Shoshone Tribe was funded $126,939. Serving 128 Households in Electric, Gas, Propane
Eastern Shoshone P.L. 102-477 Narrative Report
October 1, 2016 – September 30, 2017
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and Wood Services. We have approximately seven (7) utility vendors/providers that serve the
Wind River Reservation.
In December 2016 the EST LIEAP program held a Weatherization Class. The Eastern Shoshone
Housing Maintenance Employees instructed the class. The 477 Program Head Maintenance
constructed a demo of a door and window to show the clients how to weatherize their windows,
doors and tips on weatherization to keep energy cost down, participants received a
weatherization kit after completing the class.
In September 2017 a EST LIEAP held a public meeting for FY 2018, there were a total of
fourteen (14) individuals that attended. A powerpoint was shown and questions and concerns
were responded to after the presentation.
EST 477 STAFF TRAINING
August 2017 Eaglesun TAS V5 Upgrade and New 477 Lite Training was set up for three days
for the 477 Staff. This training reviewed the proper processes for entering data into TAS and
provide the program with data entry monitoring reports. To provide the program with the 477
Program the tools necessary to ensure proper data entry practices and accurate Federal
Reporting.