Sicangu Nation

Employment & Training Program P.L. 102-477

2017 ANNUAL STATUS REPORT

Submitted by Lauri Bordeaux, Director

Sicangu Nation Employment & Training Program

March 30, 2018

I. DIRECTOR NARRATIVE

The S1cangu Nation Employment and Training Program (herein after willed be referred to as SNETP) which is a Public Law 102-477 Program since January 1. 2000, is now in its 151

h year as a 4 77 program. The Rosebud Sioux Tribe 1s the grantee for SNETP and the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe's WIA Program SNETP has administered Crow Creek WIA grant since October 1, 1997 therefore the Rosebud Sioux Tribe has administered the grant for Crow Creek for approximately 20 years

A. Geographic area

The Rosebud Reservation encompasses over 950,000 acres in south central South Dakota just above the Nebraska state line Established by an Act of Congress on March 2, 1889, the reservation includes 13 districts and 20 separate communities including the towns of M1ss1on, Rosebud , Parmelee. St Francis, Okreek and White River The Crow Creek Reservation is located in south-central South Dakota on the eastern shore of the Missouri River, about 15 miles north of lnterstate-90 via Highway 50 at Chamberlain. Crow Creek Sioux Tribe consists of three districts which include the towns of Ft Thompson. B1g Bend, and Chamberlain

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A . • ~

B. Programs included with SNETP 477 Program for 2016

1) SNETP 477 Funds - $900,016

a. Title IV-A/WIOA Funds - Department of Labor- for Rosebud Sioux Tribe and Crow Creek Sioux Tribe - $448,491 (Aug 18, 2016)

b Title 11-8/Workforce Investment Act Supplemental Youth - DOL - for Rosebud Sioux Tribe & Crow Creek Sioux Tribe - $231,380 {Jun 30,2016)

c Native Employment Works - Department of Health and Human Services -for Rosebud Sioux Tribe - $164,596 (Aug 19, 2016)

d) TPA/Job Placement Training - $55,549 (May 24, 2016)

2) Sicangu Wicoti Awayankapi funded Projects - $185,000

a RST Homeless Shelter Proposal funded by

the S1cangu W1cot1 Awayankap1 - $100,000

b Rosebud Sioux Tribe - Casino Revenue Account - $85,000

3) General Assistance Program - $1,055,745

a. GA Administrative Funds - $ 55,249 ((Feb 22, 2016)

c Contract Support Funds - $13,364 (Nov 04, 2016)

$ 60,181 {(Aug 18, 2016)

d. Welfare Assistant Funds - $140,234 (Jan 05, 2016)

$ 71,539 (Feb 04, 2016)

$ 376.484 (Apr 05, 2016)

$132,085 (May 23, 2016)

$185,412 (Sep,12, 2016)

$ 21,197 (Dec 15, 2016)

5) TOTAL PROJECTS AWARDED IN PY 2015 - $2,140,761

C. Labor Force Statistic and Economic Conditions

The Rosebud Sioux Tribe has an estimated 85% unemployment rate according to BIA Stat1st1cs whereas the Census Bureau estimates that South Dakota s unemployment rate 1s at 5 5% where there is a considerable difference between the two estimates The Crow Creek Sioux Tribe has similar conditions

According to the most recent report from the Rosebud Sioux Tribe's Enrollment Department which was compiled 1n December which 1s an accumulated report since the Tribe began its to reflect the numbers for the year 2015 indicates that our current tribal membership is Total estimated number of enrolled members who reside on the reservation is 29,354 and total estimated who live off the reservation is 5104 The last Labor Force Market Report completed m 2009 which where the SNETP was required to complete the report The Rosebud Bureau of Indian Affairs RST Personnel Department RST Revenue Department m collaboration with the Sicangu Nation Employment and Training Program has completed the 2009 Labor Force Market Report I have not received any directive to conduct another one since that time I

believe that Rosebud was the only tribe who basically did their report in the manner that it was completed Between four departments who basically conducted the survey phase over a five county area 1n a door to door inquiry or by telephone. The Sinte Gleska University was contracted before to conduct this survey every two years but there has been no report since that year.

D. Potential Job Opportunities

The following programs. organizations and businesses which are listed below are local employers that the SNETP have utilized to place adult and summer youth clients

• Public Safety - Rosebud Police Department, Juvenile Court Services RST Roads Department

• Public Works - Rosebud Housing Authority Water & Sewer Program, Water Resources, Tribal Ut1ht1es Comm1ss1on, Low Income Energy Assistance Program , Trees, Water & People ProJect, Treaty Commission

• Public Health - Indian Health Service, Rosebud Ambulance Service, Community Health Representatives Program. Diabetes Prevention Program.

• Public Administration - RST Enrollment Office, RST Court House

• Education - Sinte Gleska University, Penn Foster Online High School Diploma Program, St Francis Indian School. Todd County School District, White River School District, Rosebud Alternative School.

• Other Public Services - Rosebud Daycare Center, Spotted Tail Crisis Center

• Private Sector Employers - Rosebud Log Home, S1cangu Auto, Rosebud Building Supply, Turtle Creek Crossing Grocery Store, All Stop, Rosebud All Stop

• Youth Programs - Oyate Networking ProJect Attendance Intervention Program , Sicangu Lakota Youth Center, Wambll W1coni T1p1 (Juvenile Detention Center), RST Boys & Girls Club

II. PROGRAM GOAL AND OBJECTIVES

A. Results Expected - Performance Standards

The Sicangu Nation Employment and Training Program expects the following program results on an annual basis·

1. At least 75% of part1c1pants will successfully complete one or more of their employment and training objectives

The SNETP has met our performance standards with a 85% success rate (20 Total Participant divided by 17 Total Terminees) for Program Year 2016 for the adult

services where only 3 individuals did not achieve their employment or education objective Please not that due to our Request For Additional Funds (see attached) was received in a timely manner they were not submitted at all to the Department of Health and Human Services therefore the funds spent during the month of November and December, 2015 along with the salaries need for case management created a decrease in the number of Work Experience clients served. We placed priority in helping a fairly new program which is the Rosebud Economic Development because of the many new proJects that are in the beginning phases and proJects that are fairly new but have new managers such as the Sicangu Propane and the S1cangu Business Products We have placed clients 1n with the Lakota Water 1n the past but they seemed to have a turnover of managers in that department REDCO was nominated for Outstanding Employer due to the many projects that are being planned and developed under the superv1s1on of their fairly new director, Wizipan Garriott The program has grown considerably in the last two years and I see more tnbal members getting employment with the many up and coming projects.

Ill. YOUTH SERVICES REPORT

1 For the summer of 2016 As for the youth services component, there was a 94% success rate (151 Total Participant divided by 143) with 8 attained a degree or certificate which was 4% higher than PY 2015. They were only 8 rnd1v1duals who did not achieve their employment or education objective which was 2 lower than last year.

Another proJects that we have been working with closely 1s the Takola lniJinyo Suicide Prevention Program which provides our youth many different types of trainings including the QPR, Meth Awareness, Drug and Alcohol Training and Youth Co Dependency Training to name a few It also allows our youth to volunteer and help other youth get involved. They also do fund ra1s1ng to attend Youth Conferences Welcome Back the Thunders. retreats at our local Alcohol Program which include talking circles, trainings, and a movie night This program 1s gaining more interests as more youth want to become involved (see attached).

This year a strong effort was made to collaborate with more youth related programs to provide services to more youth by hosting several Youth Day Activities where programs would give out program information, enrollment/reg1strat1ons health screenings. surveys and door prizes for incentives All these events drew a lot of youth who seemed to enjoy them Programs such as our and others such as Diabetes Prevention, Suicide Prevention, Alcohol Treatment Program, Youth Diversion Program and Community Health Representatives to name a few

The SNETP has hosted a Summer Youth Recognition Picnic for Outstanding Performance and Perfect Attendance. Twenty individuals will receive a certificate. t-

shirt sweatshirt and cash award ($100) for Outstanding Performance All those participants who had perfect attendance according to their timesheet was given a certificate, t-shirt , and a cash award ($50) All those who participated on the program for the summer were given a t-shirt for participating I have attached more information regarding the youth for your review 1n the Youth Service Report section.

V. COLLABORATIVE PROJECTS

A Homeless Shelter

The Sicangu Nation Employment and Training Program was awarded approximately $185,000 for last year which is about $70,000 less than the previous year The Sicangu Wicot1 Awayankapi (housing authority) funded the shelter about $30,000 less and the RST (Rosebud Sioux Tribe) funded about $40,000 less Our shelter has been serving less clients due to that fact that there's a Boys and Girls Club located less than 200 yards away. Also, a majority of the clients that were already served in the previous years were on a list for terminated residents where they had violated the rules on numerous occasions to the point where they were no longer allowed there Some of the more serious violations could range from drug or alcohol abuse while on the premises stealing property, or just continuous violations of the rules Many of the clients that reside are homeless due to mental issues, alcohol issues, or social issues which prevent them from residing with family or friends.

We continue to struggle with staff turnover and we lack the funds to hire a coordinator which was originally paid approximately $30,000 The office assistance resigned after six years with the shelter therefore we are trying to locate a good replacement. The SNETP Business Manager continues to pay all the liabilities, personnel files and purchase orders Our intent was to finally have the shelter as a spin off program and where they are a stand alone program We have not found a person to date who has the knowledge, skills or education in which to do this

This building was approximately worth $165, 000 but needs some work as it 1s made of logs The door has been completely replaced but needs some minor repairs The Indian Health Service continues to conduct an annual assessment on the shelter and recommends any upkeep of the building. Since the shelter opened its doors approximately 7 years and has served approximately 800 clients where some have been repeats or long term (2 years) although its a temporary shelter Due to the lack of housing on the Rosebud . the waiting list are extremely long and families are given priority, shelter residence tend to stay longer than intended The shelter has seen five coordinators and 43 employees since the start but we are currently advertising for another advocate the shelter I have learned that the educational background should be an asset to any Job but at time especially 1n this type of work environment, a person with a lot of motivation compassion and personality to run a shelter due to the type of clients that come in.

We have experience a Meth problem on our reservation which has affected the shelter as well. I received a complaint that we had one employee and one resident who had been smoking rn the shelter I called SWA to conduct a meth assessment on the shelter to determine whether the level was higher than at 2 0 which it was therefore we were required to shut it down and lay off employees until it was cleaned up. It took approximately six weeks to clean up and costed their budget over $10,000. We were shut down from mid January to the beginning of March, 2016. Staff found the residents a place to stay or transported them to another shelter which was out of service area

The Tribe opened another shelter late last year in our largest community which was rn M1ss1on, SO Due to the number of people who were being evicted from their house because of meth the newly opened shelter had a large number of residents The extreme cold weather also had impact on the amount of people staying there Regardless of whether they were sober or under the influence of alcohol/drugs, they were allowed to stay there The other shelter opened on short notice with no funds available, no policies no intake forms, or no procedures We shared our plan. budget sample, forms and other necessary documents to help them The Tribal Land Enterprise pays for the electricity and propane expenses The volunteers solicit for food donations through local businesses We were 1n need of another shelter for those that brave the winter elements due to their addictions. I am somewhat concerned about the safety of staff and other residents but I am glad that they have a place to go regardless of their condition Each community has been directed to house their members 1n adverse weather conditions but not every community has a build ng rn which to do this .

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B. General Assistance

The Sicangu Nation Employment and Training Program has been administering the General Assistance Program since October 1 2015 ( 18 months) Although the SNETP has more flex1billty when it comes to serv1c1ng the GA clients with supportive services to help eliminate the small barriers which are more lrke big barriers to them due the small amount of money they receive So to spend money on a birth certificate 1n order to get their driver's license 1s sometimes too much money When the Tribes were given the opportunity to submit proposals for an additional $25.000 I jumped at the opportunity to apply and try to eliminate a lot of these barriers I believed that there were three different types of GA clients which were·

1) Those clients that had been on for years and had become accostumed to their lifestyle and did not have any interest 1n becoming employed or obtaining their GED

2) There were those clients who were unable to work and were exempt and maybe waiting to be approved for SSI

3) There were the younger clrents who just needed to eliminate their small barriers and wanted to become employed but just needed that extra help to get them motivated to move off the program.

There are twenty communities located on five counties that make up the original boundaries of the Rosebud Reservation Over 70% of these communities were remote with no type of businesses, post offices, school or head start centers located in their area There were community buildings in which to hold meetings and other social gathers There were also the possibility for community members to be engage with social activities such as community meetings, parent/teacher conferences, parent meetings, trainings, and just getting involved with the youth or elders. Many of our GA assistance clients were resistant to the changes that were implement on April 1, 2016 (see attached RST Resolutions) which were passed by the Rosebud Tribal Council which was to have mandatory work hours for those capable of working. They were compensated at the minimum pay rate. This new concept mirrored the TANF rules and only made it fair now for all clients who were on public assistance to pay back to the community and not receive a hand out but a hand up Of course, with any new change, there w,11 be resistance Remarks were being made that they wished the BIA would take back the General Assistance Program. It has been exactly one since the mandatory work hours resolution was implemented and clients are now realrzrng that rn order to receive a check that they will need to work hours in order to receive a check Many employers had stated that they were tired of having to sign job contacts as many were under the influence and hard to work with There 1s really no intent to hire people who have no real intent on wanting a job but Just wanting a check so they are going through the motions of just getting three job contacts Over the years, the program was just an enabler to many who would use the check to buy alcohol or drugs I wanted to see that clients engage ,n their own community and become active with the community activities

There have been several training opportunities such at the medical billrng and coding boot camp (see attached) that was hosted here in the SNETP classroom training There were 20 available spots but were only able to fill 10 spots The weather and road conditions were somewhat a deterent to having more attend We hope to have another boot camp soon and I am hoping rt rs during the summer months so that we can get some of our younger members involved

We are also involved with our local university (S1nte Gleska University) in trying to recruit clients into the CAN RPN and LPN program (see attached) that is offered there They have excellent supportive services which include gas vouchers, tuition and books fee paid , bar exams paid , and once certified, they w,11 help locate employment and well as pay for uniforms and other supportive service costs

VI. NINAETC NOMINATIONS

The 3ih National Indian and Native American Employment & Training Conference which was held in Reno. Nevada last year and I submitted names for nominations for all categories as follows·

1) Alice 819 Pond Roach Memorial Award - Janice Dillon 2) Howard Yackus Memorial Award - Cohn Whirlwind Soldier 3) Outstanding Employer Award - Mission Boys & Girls Club 4) Outstanding Participant Award - Shad Dillon

The S1cangu Nation Employment and Training Program did submit names for four categories this year and one person Shad Dillon received honorable mention for the Outstanding Participant Category_ I try to submit names every year for each category as this is our opportunity to highlight our success stones and give them recognition for an award that they were selected for the Awards Committee I know their jobs can not be easy as there are some many who are deserving of these awards

VII. PROGRAM CHALLENGES

The S1cangu Nation Employment and Training Program has had many challenges for the 2016 year which learning that the General Assistance clients were so much tedious than our regular files So much information is required and then when we added the mandatory work hours, creating new forms to track hours along with rules on which mirror our own work expectations in order to get them job ready Knowing that attendance is key to any work place The biggest challenge was ensuring that those that had been on GA for years now had to earn their check They now had to learn to keep themselves busy for several hours out of the day which 1s some times difficult when the community lack basic tools or materials 1n which to keep busy Some times even basic cleaning supplies were needed but they didn't have them In the beginning a work schedule was created but tedious as you had to figure out which days there would be no work completed like the 1st and 10th or holidays during the month You scheduled around certain days to avoid a clash of important days to them like a community pow wow or baseball tournament You would try to schedule when community clean ups were 1n that specific community You had to allow make up days for funerals, weather, holidays or doctor appointments.

As for the shelter there was trying to motivate a staff that had become stagnate in their positions because I don t see them on a day to day basis They are located several blocks away and to check on them constantly is not possible. We have several staff meeting to see 1f some of the clients who were terminated permanently from staying at the shelter could possibly be reconsidered I asked to look at the reason why they were terminated and if they could be put on conditions based on the seriousness of the r infractions The only problem was notifying them as many of them didn t have mailing addresses current contact numbers. or current locations for them. We needed to get our numbers up in order to continue getting funded from the Tribe and our local housing authority One staff member became upset and resigned from her pos1t1on. We are servicing those clients who are very hard to serve clients All of these clients don t Just have one or two barriers but multiple barriers This 1s an area where you don t realize how serious or long term this issues are until you have to deal with them There is very little funding opportunities for the homeless in general There are for veterans and youth but finding funding sources for those that are Just homeless is almost impossible

The shelter was intended for veterans but over the past seven years, we have serviced very little veterans

VIII. ST AND ARD FORM 269

Please see attached Standard Form 269A which is the Financial Status Form which was completed by our new Program Monitor, Diana Spotted Tail and signed by our RST Treasurer, Wayne Boyd on March 28, 2017.

IX. P.L. 102-477 STATISTICAL REPORT FORM

Please see attached Public Law 102-4 77 Stat1st1cal Report which was completed by SNETP Employment Specialist John C Arcoren on March 31, 2017.

X. OTHER PROGRAM INFORMATION

A. SNETP Staff Members

1 Laun Bordeaux, Director 2 Alma Espinosa, Business Manager 3 John Arcoren, Employment Specialist 4 Delores Espinoza, Case Manager 5 Danielle Murphy, Case Manager 6 Katen Kills In Water, Case Manager 7 Santiago Morales Case Manager 8 Norman Running Maintenance Spec1al1st