By SCOTT MCKIE B.P.
One Feather Asst. Editor
CHEROKEE, N.C. – Dinilawigi (Tribal Council) has authorized several tribal programs of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) to apply for a total of five grants that would benefit the EBCI community.
Each of the five resolutions passed were submitted by Brandi Claxton, EBCI secretary of treasury, on behalf of the respective tribal program. They were approved unanimously as part of the consent agenda during the regular session of Dinilawigi on Thursday, Aug. 6.
Res. No. 264 authorizes the EBCI Tribal Foods Distribution Program to seek a $655,419 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) program.
The whereas section of the legislation states the grant “will provide USDA approved foods to low-income households and elders residing on Indian reservations, or designated areas nearby..”
It further states, “The EBCI will contribute a grant match in the estimated amount of $163,855 from the General Fund.”
Res. No. 265 authorizes the EBCI Tribal Foods Distribution Program to seek a $100,000 grant from the USDA Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservation program to “provide nutrition education to FDPIR participants”. There is no grant match required.
Res. No. 266 authorizes the EBCI Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (DVSA) Program to seek a $900,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Violence Against Women “to support victims/clients with transitional housing supplies, legal assistance, and youth services”. There is no grant match required.
Res. No.267 authorizes the EBCI Family Safety Program to seek a $235,000 grant from the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) Child Abuse Prevention in Migrant and Tribal Communities program “to support community-based initiatives to strengthen families, enhance child well-being, and prevent child abuse and neglect before it occurs”. There is no grant match required.
The whereas section of the legislation states, “The Family Safety Program will utilize this funding to build protective factors that help children, youth, and families build resilience and develop skills, characteristics, knowledge, and relationships that reduce risk and promote positive outcomes, while sustaining and expanding evidence-informed practices to prevent child abuse and neglect.”
The legislation states that if the grant is received, the EBCI “will contribute a grant match in the estimated amount of $125,000, consisting of $62,500 from General Fund and $62,500 from In-Kind”.
Res. No. 268 authorizes the EBCI Family Safety Program to seek a $375,000 grant from the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) Kinship Navigator Programs: Replication and Tribal Adaptation program “to increase the number of tribal child welfare agencies that replicate and implement an evidence-based Kinship Navigator Program rated as promising, supported, or well-supported by the Title IV-E Prevention Services Clearinghouse”.
The whereas section of the legislation states, “The Family Safety Program requires funding to implement and operate a Title IV-E Kinship Navigator Program, and this funding opportunity will provide resources to establish and sustain evidence-informed practices that support kinship caregivers, strengthen family stability, and prevent child abuse and neglect.”
