EASTERN SHOSHONE TRIBE P.L. 102-477

NARRATIVE REPORT

WIND RIVER RESERVATION

OCTOBER 1, 2014-SEPTEMBER 30, 2015

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EASTERN SHOSHONE TRIBE P.L. 102-477

WIND RIVER RESERVATION

OCTOBER 1, 2014-SEPTEMBER 30, 2015

NARRATIVE REPORT 2014-2015

Mission Statement:

All Tribal applicants, recipients of Temporary Assistance for needy Families and Low-Income

individuals, are encourage, assisted and required to fulfill their responsibility to support their

children by preparing for accepting and retaining such employment as they are capable of

performing to become self-sufficient.

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

will provide training services to better serve the client or that client’s family

needs with vocational training, on-the-job-training and 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.

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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

TPA/Welfare Assistance

EMPLOYMENT & TRAINING

WORK EXPERIENCE/ON THE JOB TRAINING

The Eastern Shoshone 477 Employment & Training Program is designed to provide our clients

with Work Experience and On the Job Training (OJT). The training allows them to develop and

enhance their work ethics, customer service skills and life management abilities. The 477

Program has several partnerships with various businesses throughout the Wind River

Reservation and Fremont County.

The Work Experience program participants are placed in a 1500 hours training position.

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OJT is an on the job short-term training of six months. The Eastern Shoshone 477 Program lacks

to find employers that are interested in placing trainees into subsidized employment due to not

fulfilling the obligation in hiring the trainee after the 6-month contract and with tribal working

hours and budget cuts it has enormous effect on employment with the Shoshone Tribal

Departments, this continues in FY 2014/2015. The Training Assistant (TA) Services allows

participants to be employed for 72 weeks and at a higher wage per an hour. The Training

Assistant gives the participant a long term training to enhance their skills and knowledge of

particular job duties.

Listed are Tribal Programs and Local Businesses that 477 WEX, TA and Youth were placed for

training.

Eastern Shoshone Tribal Gas Station

ESCAPE Program

EST Boys & Girls Club

EST 477 Program

Eastern Shoshone Rose Casino

EST Rocky Mountain Hall

EST Cradle Board to Crayons Day Care

Morning Star Manor

Shoshone & Arapaho Tribal Court

Eastern Shoshone Enrollment

EST Tribal Water Engineer

Eastern Shoshone Secretary’s Office

Eastern Shoshone Tribal Health

EST Warm Valley Senior Citizens Center

EST Department of Juvenile Services

Wind River Indian Health Services

Fort Washakie School District #21

Eastern Shoshone Finance Department

Eastern Shoshone Office of Aquaculture

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Norther Arapaho Tribe Wood Cutting

YOUTH PROGRAMS

The 477 Youth Program was a 10-week youth employment June through August 2015. Tribal

youth were given the opportunity to experience employment for youth that never had a job

and the youth that returned to continue to gain more skills as well as social and work ethics.

There were a total of thirty two (32) youth participants funded by the EST 477 Program and the

Eastern Shoshone Tribe. The Tribal funding was allocated to the Youth Employment program to

increase the jobs and training opportunities in the Youth Programs for the 2014/2015.

A Pre-employment drug test is required for all applicants applying for employment. The ES

Tribe Human Resource Department confirms and authorizes youth applicants for employment.

The youth participants started the 2015 EST Summer Youth Program with an orientation, which

included lunch, completed the required paperwork to complete the hiring process. Several

speakers from other tribal agencies gave presentation on different topics.

Welcome Address – Eastern Shoshone Business Council Chairman – Darwin St. Clair

Introduction of EST 477 Staff, John Wadda, EST 477 Director, Pauline Davis EST 477

Coordinator and Tonya Washakie, EST 477 Job Developer

EST Boys & Girls Club - LaJuana St. Clair, Director

Fremont County Commissioner – Keja Whiteman

EST Department of Family Services – Tips for Teens - Dorcus Big Hair & Francis Blackburn

Wind River Job Corps Center – Orion Morris, Admissions Counselor

Wyoming Department of Workforce Services – Roulette Keevert

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An end of the year picnic was held for the all the EST 477 Summer Youth participants at the EST

477 Program Office. There were thirty (30) youth that completed and thirteen (13) participants

had perfect work attendance during the eight (8) weeks of the program. The Youth were

honored and awarded completion certificates.

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. It also provides for families that are working

full time and still meet the low-income criteria.

The Eastern Shoshone provides child care services to eligible families in our service area by

Certificate System. Certificates are utilized in a variety of child care categories including Center-

based care, Group home child care, Family child care and Relative Care, break down of children

in the child care settings include:

Tribal Center Base 31 Children

Other Center Base 34 Children

Group Home 9 Children

Other Care 13 Children

The Eastern Shoshone 477 Child Care Services served fifty three (53) families during the 2014-

2015 Fiscal Year. There were eighty four (84) children ages 0 – 13 years of age served in one of

the three child care setting:

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0 - 2 age 31 children

3 – 4 age 24 children

5 - 6 age 15 children

7 – 12 age 14 children

The Wind River Indian Health Service held two certified 4 hour Heartsaver 1st Aid/CPR Courses

in March and June 2015. Thirteen successfully earned their certified 1st Aide/CPR Cards. All 477

Child Care providers are now incompliance in health and safety regulations in obtaining their

cards to meet the provider requirements.

Child Care Services Activities:

October 2014 a community Halloween Carnival was sponsored by the Eastern Shoshone Boys &

Girls Club as well other Tribal Programs. The Eastern Shoshone 477 Program participated in the

staff dressing up and opened up two booths for the children to play games for small prizes.

April 2015, a designated “Month of the Child” – The Eastern Shoshone 477 Program held a

“Preventing Child Abuse Walk” for the community, numerous children walked and participated

in the activities held after the walk. Information, coloring books and balloons were given to

each child in attendance.

May 2015, the Eastern Shoshone Tribal Health held their annual Tribal Health Fair. Like every

year the P.L. 102-477 Program participated giving out information on child safety, coloring

books and nutrition.

A Public Hearing was scheduled for May 29, 2015 at the EST PL 102-477 Office, five community

members were in attendance for the public hearing. Those in attendance wanted to know

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more about CCDF eligibility and income guidelines. Notice of hearing was posted and published

in the Wind River News, Riverton Ranger and Lander Journal. No comments were received.

In February 2015 a Market Rate Survey was conducted on the Wind River Reservation. The only

daycare on the Reservation changed from hourly rate to day rate making it affordable for

parents that utilize the day care for their children. Payment rates are based on the State of

Wyoming’s licensed daycare centers for child care services.

EDUCATION SERVICES

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.

The Eastern Shoshone 477 Program partnered with Central Wyoming College in 3-4 week

courses.

Workplace Readiness - 22 participants

Basic Computers - 9 participants

Advanced Computers – 10 participants

Basics of Money – 40 participants

The Workplace Readiness Course was designed for participants to learn the concepts of

Communications and Soft Skills in the Workplace. The meaning of Teamwork, Networking with

other employers. They also learned to use and identify their strengths, decision making,

customer service, self-esteem, and making change to their lives after gaining employment.

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Students also did or updated their own resumes once they completed their resume, a mock

interview was scheduled teaching them the proper way to dress, make eye contact and know

what to expect once the interview starts. Supportive Service was granted to each participant

for Clothing – 1 outfit for the mock interview, Transportation/Gas to get to the college, 1 – 2GB

Jump Drive (USB) for their resumes and cover letters, and Childcare was set up during those

hours in class at the EST Cradle Board to Crayon Day Care.

The Basic and Advance Computers was set up to teach participants the beginning of computers.

Keyboard and mouse exploration, printing, multitasking, icons, exploring paint and calculator.

Inputting information, basics of Microsoft Office Suite, control panel, security basics, saving and

storing files. The advance computers was set up for participants that already had little more

advance of computer knowledge. The advance features of this course covered Microsoft

Programs including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Publisher. Hands on exploration using

Microsoft Programs using Web Browsers, Tips and Tricks. Features of Goggle, Goggle Drive and

Email. A Jump Drive (USB) was given to all students that didn’t own one. Some students that

already attended the Workplace Readiness Course was reminded to continue to use the USB

that was provided.

The Basic of Money Course was set up for three Groups, eight hours per group. The course

covered topics in learning how to manage personal and family finances. Basics of banking,

checking and savings accounts. Learning about loans and interest.

SPECIAL SERVICES FOR PUBLIC ASSISTANCE RECIPIENTS

The Eastern Shoshone 477 Program’s General Assistance served one hundred fifteen (115)

individuals eighty (80) were employable and thirty five (35) were unemployable all eighty (80)

individuals had a self-sufficiency plan in place. Six (6) completed their Individual Self-Sufficiency

Goal.

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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 barriers preventing self-

sufficiency. The EST 477 Program General 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 in order 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 in order to remain in compliance with the GA requirements.

A financial prediction did not foresee the constant growth in participants during the winter

months. 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.

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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 2014/2015 - 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.

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.

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.

Temporary Cash Assistance has gained valuable experience and the continued success of the

TCAR (Temporary Cash Assistance Recipient) program to our community with a strong emphasis

on “TEMPORARY SERVICES” to needy tribal members. There have been several changes that

are very critical as the tribe faces many economic challenges with Tribal budget cuts and the

employment trends in the State of Wyoming have grown due to many lay-offs in the Oil Field

Industry and families facing requirements of the State of Wyoming Department of Family

Services Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) requiring 3 months SNAP

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assistance for employable families even though unemployment has increased in Fremont

County.

To meet minimum work participation rate requirements for each assistance recipient, the Tribe

chooses to offer all of the allowable and countable work activities per week, per family, to be

20 hours of qualified activities

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.

The training and education of the clients has been a priority with the 477 program in order to

achieve self-reliance skills, which promote self-sufficiency. The Tribal Learning Center

Computer Training component have been designed and structured to prepare the clients for

making career choices and job readiness at the Ft. Washakie Learning Center. In addition the

GED classes for Temporary Cash Assistance clients that meets daily.

October 2014/February 2015 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 2014 a school verification is required proving each child has attended school ten (10)

consecutive days from the first day of school in August and the family case has to be in good

standing. There were a total of one hundred and eighty two (82) children served; a $200 Kmart

Shopping card was dispersed for each eligible child. The eligibility for the 2nd distribution in

February 2015 school grades and attendance was required, a total of fifty four (54) children

were eligible based on grades and attendance. Students had to have a grade of “C” average

and above, absence five (5) days or less, a $100 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. To

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record information of TANF Children’s grades and attendance an Eaglesun School Information

and Benefits TAS Module was purchased to keep updated information of children’s school

performance to be kept in the data system.

November 2015 the Eastern Shoshone Tribe Rose Casino donated fifty Turkey Baskets to the

477 Program for Needy Families. Case Managers based the need on the size of household.

In December the 477 Program formed a toy drive and sent letters out to all programs for

donations, Marathon Oil Company, Eastern Shoshone Housing Authority, Eastern Shoshone

WIC, Eastern Shoshone Boys & Girls Club, Shoshone Rose Casino all made contribution to the

toy drive. The 477 Staff took time to decorate and set up a snack area with cookies, hot cocoa

and hot cider for the children to sit and wait to visit with Santa. Letters was sent to all 477

Children as VIP invitation and a set time for the community children.

Success Stories:

A father of three children applied for TANF due to economy he was laid off from the Wyoming

Oil Fields employed as Water Truck Driver. He completed his requirements and his goal was to

continue to seek employment and to keep the TANF services temporary. He was hired full time

with the Eastern Shoshone Tribe Propane Company, with the assistance of the Shoshone &

Arapaho Tribes TERO Program in assisting him in achieving his Hazmat Certificate in Rock

Springs, WY.

A single mother came into the TANF Program and achieving her Family Self-Sufficiency Plan goal

of Employment Objective. She obtained employment at the Wind River Casino as a

hostess/waitress in the Buffalo Restaurant.

A single mother of 1 child overcame her barriers to employment by receiving her Certificate in

Esthetic Course through the Styles School of Cosmetology in Riverton, WY. She took the

Wyoming Board of Cosmetology Testing, received her Esthetician License. She is now

employed with the Hairaphy Hair Salon providing services in beautifying the skin through a

variety of services, including facials, skin analysis, make up artistry as well as other techniques.

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There were several success stories with the Temporary Cash Assistance clients and a few will be

mentioned, but the 477 program is proud of all clients that are not mentioned that has

accomplished their goal in becoming self-sufficient.

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 Shoshone

people. Once the client has completed their project(s) in the current activity, they receive a

Completion and an Attendance Incentive.

The Education Sessions provided are based on a monthly health chart and depends on the topic

such as, for example; Healthy Eating Habits, Cent$ible Nutrition, Diabetes Awareness, Alcohol

Prevention, Cancer Awareness, Lung Disease, Child Abuse Prevention, etc. These sessions are to

promote awareness of dangers and how they may be avoided and precautions if affected by

any of these.

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, 50 Mile Walk Club 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.

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Services included:

Marriage and Family Strengthening

Teen Pregnancy Prevention

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

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 2013/2014 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. The following classes were held and a total of forty six (46) participated.

Some of the clients already have the skill of beading, classes are chosen based on the project

that the client had no knowledge of, but learning the fundamentals.

Beaded Coin Purse Making

Dance Fan Making

Beaded Flat Keychain Making

Shawl Making

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May 2014 the Eastern Shoshone 477 Program held its 4th 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.

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.

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.

The need has 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.

117 Participants were assisted with support services ranging in:

Work Clothing/Uniforms

Equipment/Work Tools

Rent and Deposit/Delinquent Rent

Child Care

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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)

EST 477 STAFF TRAINING

March 2015 the 477 Program contracted with the Central Wyoming College to enhance

professional development for 477 Staff. Staff was given an opportunity to increase their

knowledge and skills on Computer Basics and Windows 9. A class for Excel I & Excel II was also

offered to staff learning the benefits of Spreadsheets.

May 2015 Eaglesun TAS Federal Reporting Data Clean-up Training was set up for two days for

the 477 Staff. This training was for TANF Case managers that are responsible to enter

Participation Hours for clients that required to do 20 Hours of Work Activities per week. Cindy

Wright, Eaglesun Systems Products, Inc. presented the training in the Federal Reporting Coding,

understanding the data collection reporting requirements and the importance of running the

required Quarterly Work Participation Report so the TANF Disaggregated Data Collection for

Families Receiving Assistance under the TANF Program will be accurate.

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May 2015 a Bill Helmich Associates – Federal Records Management was scheduled for all

477 Staff to attend on-site training. The training was to support personnel guidance in

procedures for protecting the confidentiality of information within records, it outlined the

requirements on how to establish and implement policies for records protection and

confidentiality. The training also examined the requirements of records maintenance and

retention, notification procedures, conditions of disclosure, access requirements, Privacy

Act exemptions, use and protection of Social Security numbers and medical information

security.

In July 2015 a Tribal Managers’ Training was mandatory for all Eastern Shoshone Program

Directors, Managers, Finance Personnel, and the Department of Human Resource to attend. A

brief introduction of the Super Circular was presented, Requirements of Audits, Employee

Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual and Financial Policies and Procedures Manual was

discussed on changes and being in compliance. Certificates was issued to all in attendance.

Unemployment Insurance (UI) Records

Information from the State of Wyoming Department of Employment has been received from

the Unemployment Insurance Division. Information was given explaining that under the

Wyoming statute 27-3-603 no “wage record” information cannot be provided for it is strictly

confidential.