kawerak, inc - 2015 annual pl 102-477 narrative report - final · 2017-11-02 · kawerak, inc. pl...

KAWERAK INC

PL 102-477 Narrative Report

January 1 2015 ndash December 31 2015

Overview

Kawerak Inc implements 477-integrated programs through its Education Employment and Training Division The

integrated program budgets under Kawerakrsquos PL 102-477 program include BIA- (VT HE DE) WIA-Adult and Youth

NEW and CCDF Other services provided and integrated within the EET Division with separate budgets include Adult

Basic Education the Alaska Native Education Program Vocational Rehabilitation and the Tribal Welfare Assistance

Programs (eg General Assistance) Kawerak does not operate a TANF program Kawerakrsquos PL 102-477 plan for 2015-

2017 was approved in December of 2014 with minor changes to the previous plan

Kawerak Inc serves 20 tribes in 16 remote communities (villages) throughout the Bering Strait region of Northwest Alaska

which is roughly the size of West Virginia There are unique challenges and barriers to providing services in this remote

area

There are few year-round jobs in the Bering Strait region According to the State of Alaska Department of Labor and

Workforce Development Research and Analysis section the December 2015 unemployment rate seasonally adjusted for the

Nome census area decreased from 108 in December 2014 to 105 The State wide rate increased from 65 in

December 2014 to 66 The unemployment rate for each village community excluding the hub city of Nome is much

higher According to the American Community Survey 2010-2014 5-year data approximately 354 of the American Indian

or Alaska Natives alone in the Bering Straits region and 297 of all Alaska Native families lived in poverty figures that

exceed both state and national levels The percent of the regionrsquos Alaska Native population in poverty was 133 greater than

the state average and 62 greater than the national average

The American Community Survey 2010-2014 found that of 11235185 of the 18 to 24 years age25 + years and over

population in the region 35593 of them did not have a high school diploma or GED certificate compared to 17453 of

the state population and 1682 of the national population The following educational attainment rates apply to the Bering

Strait Region of Alaska 162 of the adult population has less than a high school diploma 423 have achieved at least a

high school diploma 214 have attended some college while 211 have at an Associate Bachelorrsquos or Masterrsquos degree

These statistics have improved dramatically over the past 10 years

Very little industry exists in the Bering Strait region although some mining construction tourism commercial fishing

opportunities are available mostly in Nome during the short summer months when the seasonal snow and ice has melted

long enough for access to land and resources Most jobs are grant-driven or public service-oriented created by federal state

tribal and local government employment education healthcare and Native corporations all of which require at least some

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training college or a degree Most jobs also require a clean record with no criminal convictions as well as some level of post-

secondary educational credentials

Because of the high need for post-secondary

educational opportunities and high school diplomas

much of the focus of the Kawerak EET Division is

to provide instruction in village based training

programs GED preparation vocational training

grants and scholarships for college-bound students

The hiring pool of applicants tend to be very limited

which complicates Kawerakrsquos employment and

training programs resulting in a two-folded

dilemma how to reach positive outcomes with a

limited number of good jobs in the area for

consumers and providing quality services with

skilled employees that can provide job counseling

and employment services without recruiting outside

the Bering Strait region

Services that are provided through Kawerak Inc are

often conducted by phone cell phone mail fax or

email since most of the tribal members living in the

Bering Strait region are located in remote villages

that are accessible only by small aircraft This presents a special challenge for delivering services and requires a considerable

amount of airline travel in freezing temperatures throughout northwest Alaska Most villages do not have accommodations

or sewer and water Staff often bring sleeping bags and spend nights in offices or school classrooms when overnight stays are

required Internet is limited very slow throughout the region and does not allow for the possibility of webinars face time or

other online training or meeting opportunities that the rest of the nation and state takes for granted

Funding Constraints

Each year the cost of doing business in rural Alaska increases especially with the increasing cost of fuel which has a trickle-

down effect for all aspects of business and life for our participants In 2015 the Bering Strait Regionrsquos cost of fuel is

typically higher than the statewide average and in some cases considerably so (the community of Wales pays 24 more than

the statewide average for gasoline) The decline in oil prices worldwide last year may give some relief to rural communities

this summer However there is significant concern over the impact on declining oil prices will have on the States economy

in the coming years

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Community 1

Heating Fuel

Statewide

Avg

2014 Retail Avg

Gasoline Statewide

Avg 2014 Retail

Brevig Mission $580 2 8 $634 5 -2 Gambell $618 8 -1 $670 11 -1 Golovin $600 5 0 $600 -1 0 Koyukdagger $685 20 5 $731 21 4 Saint Michael $676 18 0 $604 0 0 Savoonga $600 5 0 $650 8 0 Shishmarefdagger $591 4 -7 $663 10 -3 Stebbins $722 26 0 $747 24 0 Teller $628 10 16 $657 9 4 Unalakleet $698 22 8 $662 10 2 Wales $649 14 3 $775 28 3 White Mountain $490 -14 1 $530 -12 1

In 1996 the cost of fuel in Nome was about $150 per gallon The price has quadrupled in less than 20 years while the

federal funding for services has remained the same It is challenging to maintain the same level of services that we had 13

years ago Since then wersquove avoided increasing individual scholarships even though the cost of tuition has tripled

nationwide Since 2005 wersquove doubled the number of participant applications for grants for college and vocational training

students but cannot fund them adequately We are proud that more of our Alaska Native students are attending and

succeeding in college and vocational training but we need to ensure that funding is available for them and is in line with the

rising cost of education

Partnerships

Norton Sound Education Work Group The Norton Sound Education Work Group (NSEWG) was formed in April

of 2014 by entities which make up the regionrsquos education framework The group informally began meeting to address

common goals and challenges regarding education in the region NSEWG has grown to encompass many representatives

from regional organizations that recognize widespread collaboration is needed for effective change and improvements

Partner organizations include Kawerak Inc Norton Sound Economic Development Corporation (NSEDC) Nome Eskimo

Community Sitnasuak Native Corporation amp Foundation Bering Straits Native Corporation amp Foundation Norton Sound

Health Corporation (NSHC) Bering Straits School District

Nome Public Schools Northwestern Alaska Career and

Technical Center (NACTEC) and the University of Alaska

Fairbanks (UAF) ndash Northwest Campus (NWC) Four

educational focus areas have been identified as initiatives to

improve outcomes Cultural Relevancy of education and

schools Early Childhood amp Elementary Education Growing

Our Own Teachers amp Post-secondary Preparation and

Transitioning Success In October 2015 the NSEWG held

the Norton Sound Education Summit with the theme of ldquoOur

Members of the NSEWG during the Summit

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