$2.5 Billion for Indian Country in Stimulus Package

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act approved by Congress Friday includes approximately $2.5 billion to create jobs and economic opportunity in Indian Country. Below is a summary of Indian Country provisions.

INDIAN HEALTH CARE

• Indian Health Facilities – $415 million
  
• New construction - $227 million
• Maintenance and improvements — $100 million
• Sanitation Facilities - $68 million
• Medical Equipment - $20 million

• Indian Health Services - Health Information Technology - $85 million

BUREAU OF INDIAN AFFAIRS

• BIA Office of Indian Programs - $40 million (housing improvement and workforce & training)
• BIA Construction - $450 million (schools, roads repair, jails, irrigation, dams)
  

PUBLIC SAFETY AND JUSTICE

• Department of Justice Grants (DOJ) - Indian Jails construction - $225 million (coordinate with BIA, consider violent crime rates and detention space needs)
• DOJ Community Oriented Policing Services – tribes eligible to compete - $1 billion program
• DOJ Violence Against Women Prosecution Grants - $22.5 million (result of a 10% tribal set-aside)

TRIBAL ROADS AND BRIDGES

• Indian Reservation Roads (DOT) – $310 million
• Tribal Transit Set-Aside (DOT) – $17.25 million

INDIAN HOUSING

• Indian Housing block grants (HUD) – $510 million (conference note to use funding to rehabilitate and improve energy efficiency in houses maintained by Native American housing programs)

EDUCATION

• Head Start - $10 million (tribal set-aside)
• Early Head Start - tribes eligible for a portion of the $1.1 billion program
• Special Education (IDEA) – tribes eligible for a portion of the $12.2 billion program
• Impact Aid – language urges targeted funding to military and Indian reservations from the $100 million program
  

ENERGY AND WATER

• Bureau of Reclamation Tribal Water Projects – $60 million for water intake and treatment facilities
• Safe Drinking and Clean Water Revolving Funds – $120 million (permissive set-aside)
• Tribal Energy Efficiency and Conservation Black Grants - $56 million (result of a 2% tribal set-aside)
• Weatherization Assistance Program – tribes are eligible to compete for competitive grants under the $5 billion program
  

OTHER PROGRAMS

• Indian Reservation Food Distribution (USDA) – $5 million
• Native Elder Nutrition (DHHS) - $3 million (Older Americans Act, Title IV)
• BIA Indian Loan Guarantee Program - $10 million
• Tribal Community Development Financial Institutions (Treasury) – $10 million

BONDING AUTHORITY FOR TRIBAL GOVERNMENTS

• Tribal economic development tax-exempt bonds - $2 billion in bonding authority
• Qualified Indian school construction bonds - $400 million in bonding authority

OTHER NOTES

• Bill language permits Indian Tribes to contract and compact to build projects and create reservation jobs pursuant to the Indian Self-Determination and Self-Governance Acts

Meet your TriSec instructors! Lisa Harjo

Lisa Harjo is a Health Educator for Native American Cancer Research. She provides health education, recruits Native Americans for cancer screening and supports cancer survivors through education and outreach in the Denver Metro Area. Lisa also works as an Education Specialist for the Denver Public Schools Indian Education Project. She provides training for teachers and other professionals working with Native Americans in the school system and for those teaching about Native Americans. After receiving her Bachelors of Science in Native American Education and Child Development in 1974, she spent twenty years teaching all ages from preschool through higher education. Lisa also worked for many years in the field of non-profit organization management and development. She received her Masters of Education in Elementary Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Colorado at Denver in the early nineties. She co-authored several books in the field of education. Lisa has worked for decades with Native American tribes and other organizations, facilitating group meetings and training and assisting communities in building consensus and unity of visions.

Join Lisa and Falmouth Institute at TriSec 16!

Learn how to utilize the Web for your workplace

Do you ever wonder if there are tools on the Internet that could help make your job easier? If only you knew about them or knew how to properly use them! During this exciting, new workshop, we’ll explore Web-based technologies that can enhance your job and transform your daily tasks in productive ways. Discover the benefits of utilizing things like “wikis,” blogs, shared Web space, Linked-in, social networking sites and web and video conferencing, meeting and training.

Join Falmouth and discuss these topics and more at TriSec 16.

Not a "born leader?" Build your potential.

Don't be discouraged if you're not a "born leader." You, too can be a strong leader. In the workplace, you may describe yourself as a leader in certain situations and not others. See the tips below on how to build your leadership potential.

• Stay informed. Communicate frequently with other people. In doing so, you'll gain knowledge.
• Stretch your comfort zone. Continue to learn. You know the expression, "You learn something new every day." Make sure that you do! Speak with people in different occupations, read a book, newspaper, blog or magazine.
• Take responsibility and ownership for your actions. It's easy to point a finger. Stand up and take responsibility — it shows integrity.
• Be open to new opportunities. Look to your tribe, business, department and social community for ways to contribute and to grow.
• Set goals and follow through. Make it a point to write your goals down (check our previous blog post on goal setting). Note specific steps that you must take and be mindful of realistic timelines. Track your progress regularly.
• Be positive. Look to the positives of a situation — not the negatives — when change is on the horizon. Focus on what's working well in your place of business, and not what isn't. When there is a problem, find solutions.
• Raise your emotional intelligence (EQ). A powerful force in the workplace is the ability to work well with others. Use your EQ to build rapport and relationships with those around you.
• Network. Meet new people whenever you can, so that you can exercise your leadership skills (check our previous blog post on networking skills).

Get more professional tips like these at TriSec 16! We hope to see you there!

You can master public speaking

The number one fear among adults today is public speaking. However, the keys to great presenting can be mastered by anyone who tries. During this hands-on workshop, explore the steps to successfully getting your message across, engaging your audience and leaving a lasting impression. You can be a great public speaker!

Your instructor for this workshop, Lori Bleitner, assists Falmouth Institute with Human Resources projects and HR related training programs. She has a Bachelor's degree in General Psychology and a Master's degree in Industrial/Organizational Psychology. Currently, Ms. Bleitner is self-employed as an Organizational Development consultant in the St. Louis area. She enjoys supporting organizations in their Leadership Development initiatives, as well as creating strategic plans for the organizations' overall productivity and profitability.

Join Falmouth at TriSec 16 and attend "Mastering Public Speaking" and other information-packed workshops where you'll develop professional skills that are essential in the workplace.

Meet your TriSec instructors! Lisa Riggleman

An independent trainer and professional speaker, Lisa Riggleman directs a consulting practice specializing in customer service, team building, business communication, management skills and leadership practices. She also serves as a personal speech coach and consultant as well as an adjunct faculty member with Webster University graduate school and the Community College of Southern Nevada. She is a senior consultant with more than 10 years experience with the Falmouth Institute.

Lisa brings more than 20 years of experience in the education, communications and human resources field to the Falmouth Institute.

Asked what her favorite thing about being a part of TriSec, Lisa responds:

"The best part of TriSec for me is the people — really! Seeing old friends, instructors and participants, and meeting new friends always leaves me feeling enriched and motivated to continue the work I do. TriSec is a highpoint in my professional year, and it's definitely an event where I always leave a better person."

Join Lisa and Falmouth Institute at TriSec 16!

What will you celebrate?

Join us at TriSec 16 for learning, networking and fun in Anaheim, CA!

Don't let your visit to Anaheim rest without the magic of Disneyland®, just minutes away from our host hotel, the Anaheim Hilton. In 2009, Disneyland® is asking, "What will you celebrate?" Celebrate your professional and personal achievements!

For Falmouth's TriSec 16 attendees, there is a special Online Disney® Ticket Store. For advance purchase of specially-priced Disneyland® Resort Park Hopper® Tickets, CLICK HERE. Tickets purchased here are valid from 4/11/09 to 4/25/09. The Ticket Store closes at 9pm PST on 4/10/09. Please note that this will be the last date to purchase tickets online at the discounted rate.

Check back often for more information on Anaheim, CA and TriSec 16. Be sure to vote on our TriSec poll at the top right of the blog!