Post by Okwes on Mar 22, 2007 15:15:32 GMT -5
Program cut would cut services to more than 700 tribal elderly By
ELOISE OGDEN, Regional Editor
www.minotdailynews.com/news/articles.asp?articleID=8020
<http://www.minotdailynews.com/news/articles.asp?articleID=8020>
NEW TOWN – A program serving more than 700 elders on and off the
Fort Berthold Reservation is being eliminated and the treasurer of the
Three Affiliated Tribes' says it's because there's no money
available to fund it.
Frank Whitecalfe, tribal treasurer, said the funding in the tribes'
economic recovery fund, better known as JTAC, is depleted. "There is
no funding... we have to stop," he said. He said other programs
could also be cut, but the picture could change when the tribe gets in
any revenues.
Last year, Whitecalfe and other tribal officials said the tribes were
having serious financial problems and were working on how to turn things
around.
Ramona Two Shields, executive director of the Mandan, Hidatsa and
Arikara Elders Organization, said that program gets its funding from
JTAC, which is administered by the Three Affiliated Tribes' council.
She said on Monday that the elders program received a fax at its office
in New Town saying that all funding for the program would cease,
although no exact date was given.
She said Whitecalfe, and council members Nathan Hale, Barry Benson and
Judy Brugh signed the letter. She said the letter was a surprise to her,
although it was mentioned to her about a month ago by another council
member that there might be some cuts in programs. Two Shields said she
responded that if other programs were taking cuts that they would be
happy to take one, too. But she said she didn't know about plans to
eliminate the elders program until this week.
"It will be gone, everything gone," Two Shields said. "If
they cease funding for me, I have a little money to finish helping
elders, but it will last about three weeks."
The Three Affiliated Tribes considers those 60 and older as elders.
The elders program began about six years ago and is run by a 10-member
board of directors currently headed by Helen Baker. The program helps
with the health care of elders on and off the reservation, Two Shields
said.
She said three people work in the office in the Northern Lights building
in New Town and there are also district coordinators in each of the six
segments of the reservation who do such things as run errands for the
homebound, clean house, deliver meals, pick up mail, and check on those
who have had surgery and are recuperating. She said the program also
helps with health-care needs for the elderly like medical emergencies,
glasses, dental and hearing aids.
"This is devastating to us. Out of the blue, this hits us in the
head," Two Shields said. She said although the program has been
getting funding from JTAC and administered by the tribal business
council, that the organization was starting to write grants and working
on becoming nonprofit.
"Our budget normally runs $600,000 (per year) for the 730
elders," Two Shields said. She said about 500 of the 730 elders live
on Fort Berthold. The number of elders to be served is expected to be
higher this year.
"The letter says 'cease all funding to the program.' My
workers won't be able to help (the elderly)," Two Shields said.
Fred Baker, New Town, former chairman and executive director of the
elders program, said he is disappointed in the council's decision to
eliminate the elders program. He said it is one of the most-effective
programs that is under the umbrella of the tribes and the only program
that exclusively assists the elders in a variety of ways. He said the
program was set up because elders requested the services.
Baker said that several years ago the council promised elders $1 million
for their program, but for several years the elders program has had to
run on $600,000 annually. "This program is extremely well-run,"
Baker said. He said it has a very dedicated staff which is not highly
paid and does not get benefits, yet the program has a large area to
cover.
Two Shields said she will be on the agenda of the council meeting today
to talk about the abolishment of the Elders Program. "I want all
elders to come to the council meeting," she said. The council
meeting is scheduled to start at 10 a.m.
She said the elders program will hold a meeting immediately after Two
Shields appears at the council meeting today. The meeting for elders
reservationwide will be held in the 4 Bears Casino, she said.
"We need to try to develop a plan," Two Shields said. Whitecalfe
said he would be happy to meet with the elders.
"We've always been willing to work with them (the council). To
do this to us without any knowledge, we're a strong organization,
and big. We're not going to roll over and say `OK.' "
ELOISE OGDEN, Regional Editor
www.minotdailynews.com/news/articles.asp?articleID=8020
<http://www.minotdailynews.com/news/articles.asp?articleID=8020>
NEW TOWN – A program serving more than 700 elders on and off the
Fort Berthold Reservation is being eliminated and the treasurer of the
Three Affiliated Tribes' says it's because there's no money
available to fund it.
Frank Whitecalfe, tribal treasurer, said the funding in the tribes'
economic recovery fund, better known as JTAC, is depleted. "There is
no funding... we have to stop," he said. He said other programs
could also be cut, but the picture could change when the tribe gets in
any revenues.
Last year, Whitecalfe and other tribal officials said the tribes were
having serious financial problems and were working on how to turn things
around.
Ramona Two Shields, executive director of the Mandan, Hidatsa and
Arikara Elders Organization, said that program gets its funding from
JTAC, which is administered by the Three Affiliated Tribes' council.
She said on Monday that the elders program received a fax at its office
in New Town saying that all funding for the program would cease,
although no exact date was given.
She said Whitecalfe, and council members Nathan Hale, Barry Benson and
Judy Brugh signed the letter. She said the letter was a surprise to her,
although it was mentioned to her about a month ago by another council
member that there might be some cuts in programs. Two Shields said she
responded that if other programs were taking cuts that they would be
happy to take one, too. But she said she didn't know about plans to
eliminate the elders program until this week.
"It will be gone, everything gone," Two Shields said. "If
they cease funding for me, I have a little money to finish helping
elders, but it will last about three weeks."
The Three Affiliated Tribes considers those 60 and older as elders.
The elders program began about six years ago and is run by a 10-member
board of directors currently headed by Helen Baker. The program helps
with the health care of elders on and off the reservation, Two Shields
said.
She said three people work in the office in the Northern Lights building
in New Town and there are also district coordinators in each of the six
segments of the reservation who do such things as run errands for the
homebound, clean house, deliver meals, pick up mail, and check on those
who have had surgery and are recuperating. She said the program also
helps with health-care needs for the elderly like medical emergencies,
glasses, dental and hearing aids.
"This is devastating to us. Out of the blue, this hits us in the
head," Two Shields said. She said although the program has been
getting funding from JTAC and administered by the tribal business
council, that the organization was starting to write grants and working
on becoming nonprofit.
"Our budget normally runs $600,000 (per year) for the 730
elders," Two Shields said. She said about 500 of the 730 elders live
on Fort Berthold. The number of elders to be served is expected to be
higher this year.
"The letter says 'cease all funding to the program.' My
workers won't be able to help (the elderly)," Two Shields said.
Fred Baker, New Town, former chairman and executive director of the
elders program, said he is disappointed in the council's decision to
eliminate the elders program. He said it is one of the most-effective
programs that is under the umbrella of the tribes and the only program
that exclusively assists the elders in a variety of ways. He said the
program was set up because elders requested the services.
Baker said that several years ago the council promised elders $1 million
for their program, but for several years the elders program has had to
run on $600,000 annually. "This program is extremely well-run,"
Baker said. He said it has a very dedicated staff which is not highly
paid and does not get benefits, yet the program has a large area to
cover.
Two Shields said she will be on the agenda of the council meeting today
to talk about the abolishment of the Elders Program. "I want all
elders to come to the council meeting," she said. The council
meeting is scheduled to start at 10 a.m.
She said the elders program will hold a meeting immediately after Two
Shields appears at the council meeting today. The meeting for elders
reservationwide will be held in the 4 Bears Casino, she said.
"We need to try to develop a plan," Two Shields said. Whitecalfe
said he would be happy to meet with the elders.
"We've always been willing to work with them (the council). To
do this to us without any knowledge, we're a strong organization,
and big. We're not going to roll over and say `OK.' "