Social Services
Our mission of the Burns Paiute Social Services Programs is to provide comprehensive and Culturally relevant services to meet the financial, social and emotional needs of individuals, families and children.
Social Services is made up of several programs that contribute to the health and well-being of Burns Paiute Tribal members and Native American living in Harney County. The Programs include child welfare, elders services, foster home certification, General Assistance, Child Care, Food Distribution, Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Programs, Outpatient Alcohol and Drug Program, Mental Health Program, Tobacco Prevention, Suicide Prevention, Alcohol and Drug Prevention, Strategic Prevention Framework Data Collection and Prevention, and the TuWaKii-Nobi after school program. Please see the above tabs for contact information and services offered through these programs.
Alcohol and Drug Program
We believe that addiction is a disease, progressive in nature and terminal if left untreated. We believe that as long as an alcoholic or addict is alive, there is hope for healing. We commit ourselves, as our first priority, to the patient in treatment. We recognize and celebrate effort, and we acknowledge that mistakes, as long as we are trying, are opportunities to learn. We commit to continuous improvement, growth, and cultural best practices.
Title | Job Title | Phone | Cell Phone | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Joellen Billington | A & D Program Coordinator | Joellen.Billington@burnspaiute-nsn.gov | 541-573-8003 | 541-589-2380 |
Child Care Development Fund
The Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) is to provide support for children and their families juggling work schedules and struggling to find child care programs that will fit their needs and that will prepare children to succeed in school.
CCDF also improves the quality of care to support children’s healthy development and learning by supporting child care providers, quality improvements systems to help providers meet higher standards and to attain more training and education. CCDF services providers, and oversee the implementation of child care policies and provided.
The Child Care and Development fund is authorized under the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act (CCDBG) which was enacted under the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990. The CCDBG Act was amended and reauthorized by the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act of 1996, and again by the CCDBG Act of 2014
Services Available
Children from birth through age 12 in vulnerable families have access, through CCDF, to child care settings that meet their needs, from full-day child care to afterschool care for school-age children.
Child care providers receive reimbursement for serving low-income families and can draw on networks of training and technical assistance resources to help them provide high-quality child care services. All providers must be 18 years of age.
Eligibility Criteria
Parents in eligible low-income families receive help paying for child care at a provider of their choice. Parents must be working, in training or in education program and meet income eligiblity guidelines to qualify. All parents with children in child care benefit from CCDF quality investments and from the peace of mind that comes from knowing CCDF funds are being used to help with child care needs.
Title | Job Title | Phone | Cell Phone | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Desiree Sam | Child Care Development Fund Coordinator, G.A./Welfare Coordinator | desiree.sam@burnspaiute-nsn.gov | 541-573-8048 | 541-589-5464 |
Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Program
Mission Statement:
The Burns Paiute Tribe Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault Programs mission is to educate and empower individuals and families that Abuse of any kind is not a Tradition and will not be accepted in the Burns Paiute Tribal community.
Scope of Work:
The Burns Paiute Tribe Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault Program supports victims/survivors of Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault to promote a safe and healthy lifestyle free from abuse of any kind. Encourage and promote community education with community participation in outreach programs around Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, Stalking and Teen Dating Violence. The focus of the program is to nurture a new outlook on violence which is NO violence in our Tribal community.
Services Available
- Safety Planning
- Crisis Response
- Advocacy
- Referral to Community Programs
- Groups (Talking Circle)
- One on One Advocacy
- Advocacy navigating the Criminal Justice System
- Transitional Housing Funds to Eligible Clients
- Sexual Assault Advocacy
- SARRC Response (Sexual Assault Response and Resource Circle)
- Assistance in obtaining a Restraining Order
Title | Job Title | Phone | Cell Phone | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Teresa Cowing | DV/SA Program Manager/Advocate | teresa.cowing@burnspaiute-nsn.gov | 541-573-3061 | 541-413-0216 |
Kristeny Soucie | DV/SA Program Cultural Advocate | kristeny.soucie@burnspaiute-nsn.gov | 541-573-3085 |
General Assistance Program (GA)
Services Available
The GA program must use the same TANF payment standard for an adult in Oregon, which service area where the applicant or recipient resides. GA welfare benefits are processed once a month.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for General Assistance an applicant must:
- Must provide proof of enrollment with a Federally Recognized Tribe.
- Apply concurrently for financial assistance from other state, tribal, county, local, or other federal agency programs for which he/she is eligible and not receive any comparable public assistance.
- Develop and sign an employment strategy in the ISP with the assistance of the social services worker to meet the goal of employment through specific action steps including job readiness and job search activities, Volunteer for BPT community/ praticipate in program activities.
- Reside in the service area
Title | Job Title | Phone | Cell Phone | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Desiree Sam | Child Care Development Fund Coordinator, G.A./Welfare Coordinator | desiree.sam@burnspaiute-nsn.gov | 541-573-8048 | 541-589-5464 |
Juvenile Crime Program
Info for this program:
Title | Job Title | Phone | Cell Phone | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Jody Richards | Prevention Services | jody.richards@burnspaiute-nsn.gov | 541-573-8005 |
Mental Health Program
The Burns Paiute Tribe Mental Health department aims to provide comprehensive, integrated mental health services that promote the health and overall quality of life for our individuals and families within the community.
Services Available
We provide confidential and compassionate mental health services. To advocate for the rights and needs of individuals with mental health challenges. To engage in active outreach to assure prevention, early intervention, promotion and coordination of services to reduce the impact of mental health disorders for the individuals. All services are free and are available to Burns Paiute Tribal members and their families.
Physical Activities Coordinator
Info for this program:
Title | Job Title | Phone | Cell Phone | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Sarah GhostDog | Physical Activities Coordinator | Sarah.Ghostdog@burnspaiute-nsn.gov | 541-573-8051 |
Prevention Coordinator
Info for this program:
Title | Job Title | Phone | Cell Phone | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Jody Richards | Prevention Services | jody.richards@burnspaiute-nsn.gov | 541-573-8005 |
Tobacco and Suicide Prevention Program
Info for this program:
Title | Job Title | Phone | Cell Phone | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Lanette Humphrey | Suicide/Tobacco Program | lanette.humphrey@burnspaiute-nsn.gov | 541-573-8002 |
Contact Info
50 Pasigo St
Burns, OR 97720
Phone: (541) 573-1375
Fax: (541) 573-7806
Highlights
2019 Newsletter

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