Current Events
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Notices for Siletz Community Members
This is a friendly reminder that due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, all outdoor recreational areas in Siletz are closed.
This includes playgrounds, basketball courts, parks and other community spaces.
Please continue to practice social distancing for your safety and the safety of our community. Thank you.
Cancellations
Excess Surplus Sale for May 28th
The Excess Surplus sale that was originally scheduled for Thursday, May 28th is set to be rescheduled to a later date.
Regarding the 05/25/2020 Memorial Day Ceremony
Due to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, to keep our membership safe, the May 25, 2020 Memorial Day Ceremony was not held this year. Below is a PowerPoint presentation to help honor our services members.
Memorial Day PowerPoint Presentation
CTSI-Community Message
3/17/2020
We are not aware of any cases of coronavirus or COVID-19 in the Siletz Community. However, the safety of our Community, Students, and Staff are a top priority for us. Therefore, we are moving forward with providing services in a manner that will keep you and staff safe. Beginning March 17th, until further notice, services will be provided via telephone, email and mail; Offices will be closed to walk-in clients. Payments can be made by telephone with a credit/debit card; by mail via a check or money order. There is a drop box at the rear of the Tribal Administration building to drop off payments, applications, etc. The Clinic will be closing to non-essential appointments, and will work to fulfill your needs – such as Pharmacy – in different ways. Clinic staff will reach out to you to reschedule non-critical appointments.
Our staff is working very hard to continue providing critical services to our community members. As this situation develops, we will continue to update this message.
To access these services, please call:
Siletz Community Health Clinic: (541) 444-1030Siletz Tribal Housing: (541) 444-8322. Payments can be mailed or put in the Drop Box477-SSP: (541)-444-8247USDA Food Program: (541)-444-8393Human Resources: (541)-444-8274Indian Child Welfare (ICW): (541)-444-8272Natural Resources: (541) 444-8232Enrollment: (541)-444-8258Elders: (541)-444-8220
Eugene Area Office - Phone- (541)-484-4234
Portland Area Office -Phone-(503)-238-1512
Salem Area Office -Phone-(503)-390-9494
For accurate, up to date information about COVID-19 please dial 211
View the #StayHome PSA made by the Siletz Community.
Read more about Social Distancing Here.
SILETZ COMMUNITY HEALTH CLINIC HAS TESTING FOR COVID-19 AVAILABLE TO REGISTERED PATIENTS
HOW CAN I BE TESTED?
Call the clinic at 541-444-1030 and ask to speak to a nurse. The nurse will discuss your symptoms with you and, if indicated, will set up a time for you to come to the clinic for testing.
CAN I GET A COVID-19 TEST IF I HAVE NO SYMPTOMS BUT JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE I DO NOT HAVE IT?
No, you cannot. At this time, the tests we have are only for use on people who have symptoms of COVID-19.
WHAT IF I HAVE SYMPTOMS, BUT AM NOT OVER 50 AND DON’T HAVE CHRONIC CONDITIONS THAT WOULD MAKE ME MORE AT RISK OF GETTING COVID-19, CAN I BE TESTED?
YES! You can now be tested for COVID-19 regardless of age or past health history. If you have any symptoms that are on the UPDATED COVID-19 symptom list, and an order from your healthcare provider, you can be tested.
WHAT ARE THE UPDATED COVID-19 SYMPTOMS?
- Fever
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
- Chills
- Repeated shaking with chills
- Muscle pain
- Sore Throat
- NEW loss of taste or smell
Resources for Families during COVID-19 Pandemic
Tribal & Community Members
Below are links to access government assistance programs and information on resources during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic.
COVID-19 Resource List - https://www.benefits.gov/help/faq/Coronavirus-resourcesSocial Security Benefits - https://www.ssa.gov/coronavirus/Oregon DHS Resources - https://www.oregon.gov/DHS/COVID-19/Pages/Home.aspxFederal USDA Assistance - https://www.rd.usda.gov/coronavirusBenefit Finder - https://www.benefits.gov/benefit-finder211 Resources - http://www.211.org/services/covid19#Resources
We will continue to monitor and share information that is beneficial to our tribal and community members as it becomes available.
COVID-19 Housing Relief Assistance
Limited rent and mortgage relief is available to Siletz households negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Assistance is a one-time payment to Siletz household’s landlord or Mortgage Company.
Assistance is available anywhere in the United States and is available to low-income and non-low-income households.
To learn more about this assistance and to download an application, visit these links.
Households residing on Tribal land that benefited from the rent and homebuyer waiver will not be eligible for this assistance.
Program is first come, first served and assistance is available only until funds are exhausted.
Rental Assistance
The Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians is applying for HUD Indian Community Development Block Grant – CARES funding in the amount of $900,000. The Tribe is seeking these funds to provide Siletz Tribal households experiencing negative impacts due to the COVID-19 pandemic with one-time rent relief assistance. Household income must be at or below 80 percent of median income. Rental assistance total amount not to exceed $3,000.00 total per rental and is limited to fair market rent payments due April, May, or June 2020. Rental assistance is not available to households residing in Siletz Tribal Housing. Payments may not be made to individuals.
Impact must be due to circumstances directly related to COVID-19 (i.e. loss of income due to lay-off, inability to work due to government shut-down, loss of income due to quarantine, etc.)
If you wish to provide feedback, please call Sami Jo Difuntorum at 541-444-8312.
PGE COVID-19 Bill Assistance
PGE is offering support to their customers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes:
- Allowing requests for more time to pay;
- Options to change billing due dates;
- Payment plan options;
- Energy assistance to qualified individuals.
Contact PGE
To see if you qualify for assistance, visit portlandgeneral.com/assistance.
Get up-to-date information about PGE's coronavirus response, visit portlandgeneral.com/coronavirus.
For tips on how to conserve energy, visit portlandgeneral.com/tips.
Other assistance is available for qualifying Tribal members through LIHEAP (Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program) offered by the Housing Department.
Oregon to Provide More than 351,000 Children with Benefits to Replace the Meals They Get at School
SALEM, Ore. – The Department of Human Services (DHS) and the Oregon Department of Education (ODE) announced on May 5 that Oregon families with children who are eligible for free or reduced-price school meals will get cash benefits for the meals they would have received at school even if they have been accessing meals from schools during the closure.
The USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) authorized DHS to provide Oregon P-EBT Pandemic School Meal Replacement Benefits to more than 351,000 students receiving free or reduced-price school meals in Oregon, including almost 147,000 students already receiving Nutrition Assistance.
Households will receive benefits equivalent to one free lunch and one free breakfast for each eligible child – $5.70 per normal school day for the months of March, April, May and June.
“Together, DHS and ODE are working to ensure no child in Oregon goes hungry during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Dan Haun, DHS Self-Sufficiency Programs director. “This resource is the result of our strong collaboration and will provide additional support for child nutrition and expand families’ options for healthy food.”
“The approval of this program highlights the tremendous partnership between ODE and DHS and our shared desire to strengthen our communities,” said Dustin Melton, director of ODE’s Child Nutrition Programs. “The P-EBT program will support students’ nutritional needs during a time of crisis and uncertainty.”
Eligible Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) households will have their March, April and May benefits automatically deposited to their existing Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) accounts in late May.
Students who get free or reduced-price school meals (Oregon Department of Human Services Safety | Health | Independence) but do not receive SNAP benefits will automatically receive an Oregon Trail Card in the mail in June.
Families who have experienced significant income loss may have recently become eligible for free or reduced-price school meals and need to apply by June 30, 2020. Apply online at ode.state.or.us/apps/FRLApp/Default or contact your local school.
Benefits will be retroactive to March 16, 2020, for students who received free and reduced-price meals when schools closed. For newly eligible free or reduced-price meals or SNAP households, benefits will start at the beginning of the month they become eligible.
Eligible families will receive the following for each child:
• $69 for March
• $126 in April
• $120 in May
• $69 in June
Additional options to strengthen food security among Oregonians include the ability for households to:
• Use their EBT card to include online food purchases through Amazon and Walmart (delivery fees not included).
• Take advantage of the double up food bucks program, which matches every $1 of EBT funds spent – up to $10 – on fresh fruit and vegetables at participating local farmers markets.
DHS will continue to work with federal partners to provide greater assistance to Oregonians in need. To apply for Nutrition Assistance, visit needfood.oregon.gov or call 2-1-1.
Important School Closure Announcements
COVID-19 EDUCATION RESPONSE EFFORTS
The CTSI Education staff wants families to know that while this is a scary time, it’s important to know:
1.) Check your student’s school or district website regularly for updates to distance learning, chrome book/lap top check out processes and meal distribution sites. *The CTSI Website is updating school links as information comes in.
2.) Oregon schools have until April 13th to implement Distance Learning for their students. Some schools may get this up and running sooner. Distance learning is required learning and is important for your student.
3.) Districts are providing Chrome books / laptops for students to use at home – contact your school for check out options and pick up sites. Many schools are also helping with access to the internet. Many internet providers are eliminating or reducing their fees. Check with your carrier.
4.) Districts are also providing paper packets for students who do not have access to the internet or have other barriers to digital learning *For Supplemental Learning. *More information to come on Distance learning options.
5.) Respond to your districts promptly if they reach out to regarding your needs. They need to hear from you so they can better serve every student.
If you are experiencing any barriers to communicating with your students school or to accessing distance learning for your student, please reach out to your area Education Specialist. We are all in this together.
Contact your Tribal Education specialist if you need help connecting with your child’s school regarding obtaining a learning device or accessing internet services.
For Small Business Owners and the Self-Employed
The federal government passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, to aid families and small business during the Coronavirus Pandemic. Watch this video to learn more about how the CARES Act can help you as a small business owner or if you're self-employed.
Business Oregon's $10 Million Grant Program
This grant is for local communities to support small business across Oregon. Read more about this here: www.oregon4biz.com.
Applications for this round are due: Monday, May 18th, 2020 by 5:00 PM.
Staying Active During Quarantine
FitnessOnDemand is available for Tribal member use, so you can stay active while social distancing. View this flyer to learn more about the program and who to contact to access this service.
Importance of Keeping Children At Home
Even with the weather getting nicer, it's imperative that we make sure our children are still practicing social distancing. We must keep our children, our families and our communities safe during this pandemic.
New reports of coronavirus outbreaks have been linked to children playing together in the Lummi Nation.
Read this article about the Lummi Nation.
The FCC's Lifeline Program
Individuals who have recently become eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or Medicaid are also eligible for the FCC’s Lifeline program. Visit this link for more information.
Legal Aid Benefits Hotline Available for Tribal Members
Legal Aid Services of Oregon and the Oregon Law Center, civil legal service provides for low income Oregonians operate a Public Benefits Hotline, where low-income Oregonians can talk to lawyers and paralegals for advice on public benefits including Unemployment Benefits.
Hours of operation are limited Monday - Thursday. More information about legal aid can be found at Oregon Law Help.
OREGON PUBLIC BENEFITS HOTLINE: 1(800) 520-5292
Unemployment
For those trying to contact the Oregon Employment department, email is the best way as phone call wait times are averaging over 100 minutes. Anyone with claim status questions should reach out to OED_COVID19_info@oregon.gov.
If you were denied a claim because you said you were not looking for work at this time, the department has made a fix for that. Continue to file weekly claims. If you were denied because you were self-employed or a 1099 contract worker, please visit the PUC links below.
Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUC) Information (Oregon)
Lincoln County Testing Sites and Prescription Delivery Information
Economic Impact Payments
$1,200 COVID-19 Payment Information
The U.S. Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service have announced that distribution of economic impact payments will begin in approximately mid-May and will be distributed automatically, with no action required for most people.
For more information, visit https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/economic-impact-payments-what-you-need-to-know.
To learn more about the payments, distribution schedule and more information for those who don't normally file, follow this link: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/ORLEG/bulletins/284a644. There are other resources and information included on the webpage for your use as well.
Check on the status of your payment here.
Read this flyer for more information about the Economic Impact Payments.
Read this flyer if you still need to file your taxes.
If You are a Non-Filer
For non-filers, please visit the IRS Website to learn how you can register for the Economic Impact Payment online through a web tool on their website.
County Transit System Update
Coast to Valley Express (a service of Lincoln and Benton County) has temporarily cancelled service - effective until 4/30/2020.
Beginning April 13, 2020, all routes (East, Blue, South, North AM, North PM, Newport Loop, Lincoln City Loop) will be required to schedule through our dispatch, (541) 265-4900, to be picked up on route for a ride. All routes are being maintained on their current schedules but will only be operating Monday through Friday.
Dial-A-Ride (DAR) services will begin operating April 13, 2020, Monday through Friday. Rides are being limited to essential travel per Governor Brown's guidelines.
Telecommunications Service Survey
The Oregon Public Utility Commission (PUC) is conducting a survey to get feedback on what Oregon residents think of the availability of telecommunication services.
To respond to this survey, visit this link: https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/d7e14e7518ef498793683ae50f3324c1.
Emergency Hotel Program
"CHANCE has secured some funding from CSC for motel sheltering for medically fragile homeless individuals during this pandemic. Providers working with the client should be making the referrals to CHANCE 541-791-3411 (follow prompts for location Albany, Corvallis, Lebanon, Lincoln City and Newport) or hotelvoucher@chancerecovery.org. Homeless clients should NOT call CHANCE directly. If they do, CHANCE will advise them to get a referral from a health care provider or homeless advocate. CSC will not take referrals from anyone for these motels—CHANCE is the point of contact."
Please read the Emergency Hotel Program for more information and eligibility requirements.
Mental Health Services
If you are feeling overwhelmed with emotions like sadness, anxiety or depression and need to speak with someone or learn what you can do to combat these feelings, use one of the resources below:
• For concerns with suicide, please call the Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255
Read about and watch the COVID-19 PSA "Safe Sweats", made in part by several Native American organizations locally.
State of Oregon News Releases
Please read about the Stay Home Order from the Governor.