February 2019

Visit www.northforkrancheria-nsn.gov For more information

North Fork Rancheria Tribal TANF Staff

TANF Director

David Falls

Client Programs Coastal Supervisor

Karalee Joseph

Case Managers Laverne Martinez –Madera

/Merced

Regina Murillo-NF

Julie Steenport-Coastal

Program Assistants

Diana Dick-NF

Heather Rios –NF Cari Stephenson

Program Assistant/Coastal

Career Development Coordinators

Kit Phackdy

Transportation

Mark Logee-NF

George Kerns-NF

Automotive Instructor Michael Hobie

Family Wellness Staff

Family Wellness

Supervisor

Nichole Gonzales

Teacher

Eric Fraley– NF

Coordinators

Melody Gaston-Clovis

Mike Colvard-Clovis

Tamara Fiske-NF

Mario Benally-NF

Leticia DeAnda-NF/Clovis

Eshme Williams-NF

Program Assistant

Chelsea Rogozienski-NF

Program Assistant TANF/FW

Amy Gonzales-Clovis

Maintenance

Geri Ramirez-NF

2

Due Dates: All MERs and Supportive Service Requests are due on the 1st

of the month and no later than the 10th. MER’s received after the 10th are considered late and could result in a late cash aid payment. “lost in the mail” or “late

due to mail” will not be an acceptable excuse. MER’s WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED BEFORE THE 1ST DAY OF

THE MONTH, NO EXCEPTIONS.

Reminder: If you have any questions in regards to your case such as, allowable work

participation hours, updating your Responsibility Service Plan, Supportive Service Requests please contact your Case Manager. Any questions you may have in regards to employment services or schooling, such as resume writing, job search, registering for classes, applying for financial aid, etc. please contact our Career Development Coordinator. By you contacting the person that can answer your questions, it will help you in reaching the answers to your questions in a timely manner.

Please know that in order for you to request documents from your case file, you will need to fill out and submit a “Client Request for File Copies” form to your case manager. There is up to a 48 hour timeline for your Case Manger to fulfill your request with the documents you are requesting, such as a Benefit Summary or any other documents from your file.

Receipts must be provided to your TANF Case Manager within ten (10) days of the client receiving any type of assistance, incentive, or gift cards in your name. The receipts verify the funds you received were used to purchase items intended for. Failure to provide appropriate receipts will result in the allowance being deducted from the next month’s TANF grant. When submitting receipts please make sure you write the name of the person (adult or child’s name) who received the assistance. If the total amount of the assistance that was received is not accountable in the receipt, the balance due will be deducted from your cash assistance.

3

4

Event to comply with North Fork Rancheria of Mono Indians of California Indian Children Protection Statute Adopted on October 11, 2017

Starting January 2019—July 2019

Event to comply with North Fork Rancheria of Mono Indians of California Indian Children Protection Statute Adopted on October 11, 2017

5

6

Event to comply with North Fork Rancheria of Mono Indians of California Indian Children Protection Statute Adopted on October 11, 2017

7

Event to comply with North Fork Rancheria of Mono Indians of California Indian Children Protection Statute Adopted on October 11, 2017

8

Event to comply with North Fork Rancheria of Mono Indians of California Indian Children Protection Statute Adopted on October 11, 2017

9

Event to comply with North Fork Rancheria of Mono Indians of California Indian Children Protection Statute Adopted on October 11, 2017

10

Event to comply with North Fork Rancheria of Mono Indians of California Indian Children Protection Statute Adopted on October 11, 2017

11

Event to comply with North Fork Rancheria of Mono Indians of California Indian Children Protection Statute Adopted on October 11, 2017

to collaborate with the USFS, Minarets High School

and North Fork Rancheria to fulfill their grant

obligations. Through their efforts, they were able to

convince over 20 other

students to spend their

last day of school before

winter break cutting brush,

raking trail, repairing hand

rails and rebuilding

benches. In total, the

students provided over 75

hours of labor and

restored nearly 100 yards

of trail. Furthermore, the

three students will use a portion of the grant funds to purchase two interpretive signs for the trail that

will highlight the significance of the area to the Nim

people.

While the students were able to accomplish an

impressive amount of restoration work, the trail will

remain closed

until additional

work can be

done (Cedars

Interpretive Trail

Closure Forest

Order # 05-15-

51-17-02).

There is not a

date to reopen

the trail at this time but the Forest Service is hoping

to have it opened by next year.

12

Event to comply with North Fork Rancheria of Mono Indians of California Indian Children Protection Statute Adopted on October 11, 2017

On December 20, 2018, due

to efforts from Darrin

Coleman, Felicity Johnson and

Ashley Davis, twenty-five

Minarets High School students

associated with the Native

American Club picked up

rakes, handsaws, shovels,

hammers, drills and leaf

blowers to restore a portion

of the Cedar Interpretive Trail. The trail, located behind

the USFS Bass Lake District Ranger Station in North

Fork, has been closed since January 2017 due to damage

and erosion from flooding during a powerful storm.

Damage to the trail has been significant

and one wooden

walkway has to be

reengineered and

rebuilt to be

considered safe. Costs

to repair the walkway

alone near $40,000.00.

The significant repair

costs have hampered

efforts to reopen the

heavily used trail. That

is where Darrin, Felicity and Ashley come in. These three

students attended a Native Youth Community Adaptation

and Leadership Conference in West Virginia over the

summer

where they

were

awarded a

grant to

conduct

service

projects in

their

community.

They saw an

opportunity

Felicity Johnson

13

Event to comply with North Fork Rancheria of Mono Indians of California Indian Children Protection Statute Adopted on October 11, 2017

14

Event to comply with North Fork Rancheria of Mono Indians of California Indian Children Protection Statute Adopted on October 11, 2017

Tax season is around the corner! Here are some resources for you and your family. Fresno/Madera Tax help link: http://www.fresnolibrary.org/ref/tax.html https://www.uwfm.org/free-tax-preparation-vita Free tax return preparation: The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program offers free tax return preparation by IRS-trained volunteers for low- to moderate-income individuals and families. Visit the United Way of Fresno and Madera Counties website or call 2-1-1 for more details. Free tax Preparation (VITA)

United Way Fresno and Madera Counties provides free tax preparation to low- to moderate-income individuals, families and seniors. Tax returns are prepared by trained and IRS certified volunteers at local community organizations. Our VITA (Free Tax Preparation) program has returned over $12,000,000 back into the hands of the Valley's neediest families. This money has the potential to pull them out of poverty and with our help, on a path to self-sufficiency. Services begin: Friday, February 1st In order to assist you effectively and efficiently, appointments are strongly encouraged. To book your appointment, please call 2-1-1 or 1-866-559-4211 What to bring with you to your tax appointment! · Proof of identification (photo ID) · Social Security cards for you, your spouse and dependents · To file taxes electronically on a married-filing-joint tax return, both spouses must be present to sign

the required forms · An Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) assignment letter may be substituted for you, your spouse and your dependents if you do not have a Social Security number · Proof of foreign status, if applying for an ITIN · Birth dates for you, your spouse and dependents on the tax return · Wage and earning statements (Form W-2, W-2G, 1099-R,1099-Misc) from all employers · Interest and dividend statements from banks (Forms 1099) · Health Insurance Exemption Certificate, if received · A copy of last year’s federal and state returns, if available · Proof of bank account routing and account numbers for direct deposit such as a blank check · Total paid for daycare provider and the daycare provider's tax identifying number such as their Social Security number or business Employer Identification Number · Forms 1095-A, B and C, Health Coverage Statements · Copies of income transcripts from IRS and state, if applicable

15

Event to comply with North Fork Rancheria of Mono Indians of California Indian Children Protection Statute Adopted on October 11, 2017

Don’t forget! If you make under $66,000 annually you

can file your taxes for free, online at www.myfreetaxes.org

Merced http://www.unitedwaymerced.org/2018/01/09/free-tax-preparation/ United Way of Merced provides free tax preparation through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program better known as VITA. The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program offers free tax help to people who generally make $54,000 or less, persons with disabilities and limited English speaking taxpayers who need assistance in preparing their own tax returns. IRS-certified volunteers provide free basic income tax return preparation with electronic filing to qualified individuals. Don’t forget to mention CalEITC while filing your taxes. What is CalEITC? CLICK HERE. Check out the flyer displayed at the bottom of the page to know what documents to bring. Individuals can get their taxes done for free one of two ways. They can visit a tax preparation site in their county or file on their own online. View below for options in Merced County! Tax season begins in February! In person: United Way (Merced, CA) 658 W. Main Street Every Other Saturday-Starting, February 3

rd

8:00am-3:00pm (209) 383-4242 Only accepting walk-ins Salvation Army (Los Banos, CA) 123 4th Street Monday thru Saturday- Starting, January 30

th

9:00am-4:00pm (209) 827-4945 Only accepting appointments Online: Visit MyFreeTaxes and follow the instructions. All sources are creditable and safe. Dial 2-1-1 to find other free tax preparation sites that aren’t through VITA.

Franchise Tax Board (FTB)

Website: ftb.ca.gov Paper return filing instructions

For questions regarding reportable transactions, SWIFT registration, or file formatting errors, contact:

Phone: 916.845.6304 Email: IRPhelp@ftb.ca.gov

For questions about federal tax-exempt bond interest, contact: Email: BONDINTSWIFT@ftb.ca.gov

Internal Revenue Service (IRS)

Website: irs.gov

For questions about information reporting including the Federal/State Combined Filing Program:

Phone: 866.455.7438 Email: MCCIRP@irs.gov

To get federal information reporting forms, contact Tax Forms: Phone: 800.829.3676

16

A Checklist for Clear Communication

Think of how often you communicate with people during the day.

You write emails, facilitate meetings, participate in conference calls, create reports, devise presentations, debate with your colleagues… the list goes on.

We can spend almost our entire day communicating. So, it stands to reason that communicating clearly and effectively can boost productivity.

This is why the 7 Cs of Communication are helpful. The 7 Cs provide a checklist for making sure that your meetings, emails, conference calls, reports, and presentations are well constructed and clear – so your audience gets your message.

According to the 7 Cs, communication needs to be:

Clear.

Concise.

Concrete.

Correct.

Coherent.

Complete.

Courteous.

In this article and in the video, below, we'll look at each of the 7 Cs of Communication, and illustrate each element with both good and bad examples.

1. Clear

When writing or speaking to someone, be clear about your goal or message. What is your purpose in communicating with this person? If you're not sure, then your audience won't be either.

To be clear, try to minimize the number of ideas in each sentence. Make sure that it's easy for your reader to understand your meaning. People shouldn't have to "read between the lines" and make assumptions on their own to understand what you're trying to say.

2. Concise

When you're concise in your communication, you stick to the point and keep it brief. Your audience doesn't want to Continued on Page 17

17

read six sentences when you could communicate your message in three. Ask yourself:

Are there any adjectives or "filler words" that you can delete? You can often eliminate words like "for instance,"

"you see," "definitely," "kind of," "literally," "basically," or "I mean."

Are there any unnecessary sentences?

Have you repeated the point several times, in different ways?

3. Concrete

When your message is concrete, your audience has a clear picture of what you're telling them. There are details (but not too many!) and vivid facts, and there's laser-

4. Correct

When your communication is correct, your audience will be able to understand it. And correct communication is also error-free communication. Make sure your message is correct by asking yourself the following questions:

Do the technical terms you use fit your audience's level of education or knowledge?

Have you checked your writing for grammatical errors? (Remember, spell checkers won't catch everything). Are all names and titles spelled correctly?

5. Coherent

When your communication is coherent, it's logical. All points are connected and relevant to the main topic, and the tone and flow of the text is consistent.

6. Complete

In a complete message, the audience has everything they need to be informed and, if applicable, take action.

Does your message include a "call to action," so that your audience clearly knows what you want them to do?

Have you included all relevant information – contact names, dates, times, locations, and so on?

7. Courteous

Courteous communication is friendly, open and honest. There are no hidden insults or passive-aggressive tones. You keep your reader's viewpoint in mind, and you're empathetic to their needs.

18

Congratulations to Shane for completing Fatherhood of

Sacred program. Fatherhood is Sacred program focuses

on the understanding of the Native traditions. It helps

participants to understand that they come from

greatness from past and present ancestors.

We would also like to congratulate Shane for obtaining

full-time employment. We are very proud of your hard-

work, following your goals and career path. You’ve have

shown a lot of personal growth.

Congratulations to Esperanza S for obtaining her

California Driver’s License. All the studying and

practicing behind the wheel paid off!

Congratulations to Brandi P for obtaining her

California Driver’s License!!

Congratulations to Leo G for continuing his education

to obtain his High School Diploma .

Congratulations to Nichole F for enrolling into beauty

school. We look forward for you to start the program

and when you complete the program.

19

20

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 18 minutes

Total Time: 28 minutes

This Avocado Corn Salad is a bright and feel good summer salad that’s

loaded with grilled corn, creamy avocado, cherry tomatoes and the dressing

gives it amazing fresh flavor.

Skill Level: Easy

Cost to Make: $8-$10

Keyword: corn salad

Calories: 206 kcal

Servings: 6 as a side salad

Ingredients

1 lb cherry tomatoes halved or quartered

3 ears of corn cooked, shucked and cut off the cob

2 avocados peeled, pitted and sliced

1/2 red onion (medium) thinly sliced

1/4 cup cilantro chopped (1/2 small bunch)

2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil

2 to 3 Tbsp lime juice from 1 to 2 limes

2 garlic cloves pressed or finely minced

1 tsp sea salt or 3/4 tsp table salt

1/8 tsp black pepper

Instructions

In a large salad bowl, combine sliced tomatoes, corn kernels, sliced avocado, thinly sliced red onion, 1/4 cup chopped cilantro

and press in 2 garlic cloves.

Drizzle the top with 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil, 2-3 Tbsp lime juice (adding it to taste). Add 1 tsp sea salt and 1/8 tsp black

pepper, or season to taste. Toss the salad gently just until combined and serve.

21

22