Northern Cheyenne Tribal Housing Authority

Hwy 39N, Lame Deer, MT 59043; phone: (406) 477-6419

“... committed to providing quality and affordable housing services
to eligible Northern Cheyenne tribal families living on tribal lands”

Acquisitions Division

Colleen Spang

Colleen Spang, Acquisitions Division Manager

Terri Jo Whiteman, Acquisitions Technician

Warehouse Staff:

Linda Simpson, Warehouse Supervisor
Mitzi Prettyontop, Warehouse Technician
Denise Alexander, Warehouse Technician

(from the May 2010 issue)

SUN AND HEAT EXPOSURE
During late spring and summer many people like to spend time outside in the sun for fun. But overexposure to the sun can damage the skin and could cause skin cancer. Heat stroke, heat exhaus-tion, heat cramps and heat rash are possible when you become overexerted in the heat. Put your health first in order to enjoy the summer. Here are a few safety tips:

Wear a wide-brimmed hat to keep your head and face cool. This will also provide added protection from damaging sun exposure. Baseball caps provide little protection except to the face. A hat should protect the neck, face and ears.
Wear a long-sleeved shirt at all times. It should be light colored and loose fitting except when working around machinery.
Carry a source of water with you. Take drinks frequently—every 15 minutes.
Take frequent breaks in the shade or in a cool environment during the hottest times of the day.
Adjust gradually to working in the heat over a period of 10-20 days.
Someone suffering from heat exhaustion or heat stroke should be moved to a cool environment, offered sips of water, if conscious, and provided with attention from emergency medical personnel.
Wear sunscreen that has an SPF of at least 15.
Make sure children are also adequately protected.

Home Owners Insurance for Elders

The Northern Cheyenne Tribal Housing Authority will be offering Amerind Risk Management Insurance cover-age for all the interested Elders. This Insurance Cover-age will be for one (1) year and will only cover the Structure of your home. This coverage is free if you qualify. One of the requirements is you must be 60 years old. The following documents must be attached to the application in order to qualify for this benefit:

You must fill out an application at the Northern Cheyenne Tribal Housing Authority main office and verify your age.
Your house must be located within the confines of the Northern Cheyenne Reservation.
You must live in your home and it must be your primary residence.
You must provide proof of ownership of your home.
You must provide proof of your Northern Cheyenne Tribal Enrollment.

Once approved, the NCTHA will make a visit to your home to take two (2) pictures of your home and have you fill out the Amerind Risk Management application packet. The NCTHA will not be paying for existing Insur-ance that you may have on your house nor will they reimburse you for coverage that you may have already paid for. You will also be eligible to purchase additional Insurance for your contents and personal property at your own cost once this is established. Take advantage of this free benefit. For more information, please Con-tact Rachael Two Two or Colleen Spang at 477-6419.

Safety is no accident!

The Acquisitions Department has applications available for Home Insurance through the Amerind Risk Manage-ment Corporation, interested Home Buyers, please con-tact Colleen Spang at the Housing office at 406-477-6419, ext. 103.
REMINDER: HOME BUYERS WITH CONVEYED HOUSES ARE RESPONSIBLE TO PURCHASE THEIR OWN COVER-AGE.

(from the February 2010 issue)

It’s that time again; AMERIND’s annual National Safety Poster Contest is ready for Membership participation. Every Housing Authority or TDHE sponsors a Poster Contest locally in support of their children’s efforts. This year AMERIND is changing the theme from ‘Fire Safety’ to all Safety. Any type of Safety themed poster will be accepted this year. We still highly encourage Fire Safety posters to be submitted but we also want to promote other safety issues. This year’s winners will receive a $2,000 savings bond in his or her name! Information regarding the Safety Poster Contest has been sent to the elementary schools on the Northern Cheyenne Reservation, which include Lame Deer Public

School and Northern Cheyenne Tribal Schools.

Some ideas could be:

Install smoke alarms on each level of your home and outside of sleeping areas and test them monthly.

Make sure there are two clear exits from each room and that everyone knows these escape routes and has practiced using them.

Never smoke when drowsy or when you’re in bed.

Use sturdy, non-tip ashtrays and check for smoldering cigarette butts in furniture – especially after parties. Douse butts and ashes with water before discarding them.

Never leave cooking food unattended. Keep cooking areas clean and clear of combustibles.

Use all space heaters with care. Keep them at least 36” away from combustibles.

Have your wood stove, chimney and central-heating system maintained, cleaned regularly and inspected annually. Plug only one heat-producing appliance into an electrical outlet. Never override or bypass fuses or circuit breakers. Avoid running extension cords across doorways or under carpets.

Store matches and lighters up high out of sight, out of reach of little hands / children. Use only child-resistant lighters.

Never use or store gasoline inside your home. If necessary, keep a small quantity in an approved safety container locked in an outdoor shed.

Store paints, thinners, and other flammable liquids in their original containers, well away from heat, sparks or flame.

Keep papers neatly stacked and bundled, or in boxes.

Identify your house with large address numbers that the fire department can see easily.

The Acquisitions staff would like to inform the public of the Safety Poster Contest 2009, thanks to the Northern Cheyenne Tribal Schools for their participation in the Fire Safety Poster contest 2009. We had 72 participants this year and they all did very well. Each participant will receive certificates and incentive prizes for participating.

Safety is no accident!

The Acquisitions Department has applications available for Home Insurance through the Amerind Risk Management Corporation, interested Home Buyers, please contact Colleen Spang at the Housing office at 406-477-6419, ext. 103.

Colleen Spang, Acquisitions Division ManagerTerri Jo Whiteman, Acquisitions TechnicianWarehouse Staff:Linda Simpson, Warehouse SupervisorMitzi Prettyontop, Warehouse TechnicianDenise Alexander, Warehouse TechnicianIt’s that time again; AMERIND’s annual National Safety Poster Contest is ready for Membership participation. Every Housing Authority or TDHE sponsors a Poster Contest locally in support of their children’s efforts. This year AMERIND is changing the theme from ‘Fire Safety’ to all Safety. Any type of Safety themed poster will be accepted this year. We still highly encourage Fire Safety posters to be submitted but we also want to promote other safety issues. This year’s winners will receive a $2,000 savings bond in his or her name! Information regarding the Safety Poster Contest has been sent to the elementary schools on the Northern Cheyenne Reservation, which include Lame Deer Public School and Northern Cheyenne Tribal Schools.Some ideas could be:Install smoke alarms on each level of your home and outside of sleeping areas and test them monthly. Make sure there are two clear exits from each room and that everyone knows these escape routes and has practiced using them. Never smoke when drowsy or when you’re in bed. Use sturdy, non-tip ashtrays and check for smoldering cigarette butts in furniture – especially after parties. Douse butts and ashes with water before discarding them. Never leave cooking food unattended. Keep cooking areas clean and clear of combustibles. Use all space heaters with care. Keep them at least 36” away from combustibles. Have your wood stove, chimney and central-heating system maintained, cleaned regularly and inspected annually. Plug only one heat-producing appliance into an electrical outlet. Never override or bypass fuses or circuit breakers. Avoid running extension cords across doorways or under carpets. Store matches and lighters up high out of sight, out of reach of little hands / children. Use only child-resistant lighters. Never use or store gasoline inside your home. If necessary, keep a small quantity in an approved safety container locked in an outdoor shed. Store paints, thinners, and other flammable liquids in their original containers, well away from heat, sparks or flame. Keep papers neatly stacked and bundled, or in boxes. Identify your house with large address numbers that the fire department can see easily. The Acquisitions staff would like to inform the public of the Safety Poster Contest 2009, thanks to the Northern Cheyenne Tribal Schools for their participation in the Fire Safety Poster contest 2009. We had 72 participants this year and they all did very well. Each participant will receive certificates and incentive prizes for participating. Safety is no accident!The Acquisitions Department has applications available for Home Insurance through the Amerind Risk Management Corporation, interested Home Buyers, please contact Colleen Spang at the Housing office at 406-477-6419, ext. 103.

(from the January 2010 newsletter)

Colleen Spang, Acquisitions Division Manager

Terri Jo Whiteman, Acquisitions Technician

Warehouse Staff:

Linda Simpson, Warehouse Supervisor

Mitzi Prettyontop, Warehouse Technician

Denise Alexander, Warehouse Technician

The Acquisitions staff would like to thank the Northern Cheyenne Tribal Schools for their participation in the Fire Safety Poster contest 2009. We had 72 participants this year and they all did very well. Each participant will receive certificates and incentive prizes for participating. The upcoming Fire Safety Poster contest 2010 will begin within the next couple of weeks.

The Acquisitions and Warehouse staff have attended the Financial Literacy 101 Training held at the Charging Horse Casino. The Financial Literacy 101 Training was very informative a tool that each one of us will use for years to come, Thank you to Donita Sioux for coordinating this particular training.

Winter Driving Tips:

Winter road conditions require your extra attention. Staying off the phone, driving at a safe and legal speed, driving alert and sober and buckling up will ensure that you safely make it to your destination.

• Drive with your headlights on.

• Slow Down! Give yourself extra time to reach your destination when roads are slick.

• Leave room for maintenance vehicles and plows – stay at least 15 car lengths back.

• Watch for icy surfaces on bridges, even if the rest of the road seems to be clear of ice.

• Trucks take longer to stop, so don’t cut in front of them and give them space.

• Don’t use your cruise control or overdrive when it’s freezing (or colder).

Don’t get overconfident with four-wheel drive. It helps you get going quicker but won’t help you stop any faster.

Safety is no accident!

————————————————————————–

From the December 2009 Newsletter

Teamwork on display from Don Rapos, Earl Larouch , and Denise Alexander in the Maintenance Facility

Colleen Spang, Acquisitions Division Manager

Terri Jo Whiteman, Acquisitions Technician

Warehouse Staff:

Linda Simpson, Warehouse Supervisor

Mitzi Prettyontop, Warehouse Technician

Denise Alexander, Warehouse Technician

Happy New Year! From the Acquisitions Staff

The Acquisitions staff have been working diligently to place orders for all the projects. There are quite a few projects out at this time, I would like to thank the Warehouse staff for their hard work and dedication.

Mitzi Pretty On Top

It’s time to make our homes and communities safe.

Protecting Against Severe Cold Weather

Severe and sustained cold weather, with snowfalls interspersed with periods of melting and freezing can inflict considerable damage on homes. Here are some tips and steps you can take to make it less likely during extended severe weather.

• Keep sidewalks and entrances to your home free from snow and ice. Watch for ice dams near gutter downspouts.

• Keep gutters free of leaves and debris so melting snow and ice can flow freely. Ice dams can cause water to build up and seep into your house.

• Keep the house heated to a minimum of 65 degrees. The temperature inside the walls where the pipes are located is substantially colder than the walls themselves. A temperature lower than 65 degrees will not keep the inside walls from freezing.

• If ice forms on tree limbs, watch for dead, damaged or dangerous branches that could break and fall because of ice, snow or wind damaging your house, vehicle, or injure someone walking near your property.

To keep water in pipes from freezing, take the following steps:

• Fit exposed pipes with insulation sleeves or wrapping to slow the heat transfer. The more insulation there is the better.

• Seal cracks and holes in outside walls and foundations near water pipes with caulking. • Keep cabinet doors open during cold spells to allow warm air to circulate around pipes (particularly in the kitchen and bathroom).

• Keep a slow trickle of water flowing through faucets connected to pipes that run through an unheated or unprotected space. Or drain the water system, especially if your house will be unattended during cold periods.

• If your pipes burst, first turn off the water and then mop up spills. You don’t want the water to do more damage than it already has.

• If you haven’t already, make sure all hoses are disconnected from outside spigots.

• Make temporary repairs and take other steps to protect your property from further damage. Remove any carpet or furniture that can be further damaged from seepage.

Winter Driving Tips:

• Drive with your headlights on.

• Slow Down! Give yourself extra time to reach your destination when roads are slick.

• Leave room for maintenance vehicles and plows – stay at least 15 car lengths back.

• Watch for icy surfaces on bridges, even if the rest of the road seems to be clear of ice.

• Trucks take longer to stop, so don’t cut in front of them and give them space.

• Don’t use your cruise control or overdrive when it’s freezing (or colder).

· Don’t get overconfident with four-wheel drive. It helps you get going quicker but won’t help you stop any faster.

Safety is no accident!

Fire Extinguisher

Check your Fire Extinguishers, if you are unsure of how to check them, contact the Maintenance Department.

Amerind Risk Management is the Housing Authority’s insurance provider; the Housing Authority has been with this company since 1986. Amerind is set up as a Risk Pool Insurance Provider for Native American Housing Authority’s; Northern Cheyenne Tribal Housing Authority is part of a membership that covers all losses that are in its Policy.

• Amerind Financial Services, Inc. (AFSI) offers two coverage programs which are:

• Native American Shield – A coverage program for Homeowners and Tenants.

Community Shield – designed to offer group coverage for homeowners, tenants and other interested entities.

Individuals and their families with homes located in Indian Country qualify for products and services offered by Amerind Financial Services Inc. (AFSI). The Acquisitions Department has applications available for interested Home Buyers.

—————————————————————————————-

(from the November 2009 Newsletter)

Colleen Spang, Acquisitions Division Manager

Terri Jo Whiteman

Warehouse Staff:

Linda Simpson, Warehouse Supervisor

Mitzi Prettyontop, Warehouse Technician

Denise Alexander, Warehouse Technician

It’s time to make our homes and communities safe.

WINTER FIRE AND WINTER DRIVING

Holiday Safety

Each year fires occurring during the holiday season injure 2,600 individuals and cause over $930 million in damage in the United States. By following some of the outlined precautionary tips, individuals can greatly reduce their chances of becoming a holiday fire casualty.

Preventing Christmas Tree Fires

• Select fresh trees –Choose a green tree with a sticky trunk and tight needles.

• Care for your tree – Keep it away from heat sources, and keep the tree stand filled with water. Take your tree down after two weeks.

• Dispose of your tree at the recyclers –Never put the tree or branches in the fireplace or woodstove.

Holiday Lights Safety

• Maintain your lights –Inspect the lights, wires, sockets for wear and tear.

• Electrical Outlets –Don’t overload outlets or stretch lights to reach outlets.

• Periodically check the lights; they should not be warm to the touch.

• Turn the lights off when you’re not at home and before going to bed.

Holiday Decorations

• Use nonflammable and flame-retardant decorations.

• Never put wrapping paper into the fireplace or woodstove.

• Artificial trees –If your tree is artificial, ensure it is flame-retardant.

• Never use lit candles on your tree. Supervise lit candles and make sure they are extinguished before going to bed or leaving the home.

Winter Driving Tips:

· Drive with your headlights on.

· Slow Down! Give yourself extra time to reach your destination when roads are slick.

· Leave room for maintenance vehicles and plows – stay at least 15 car lengths back.

· Watch for icy surfaces on bridges, even if the rest of the road seems to be clear of ice.

· Look farther ahead in traffic. Actions by other drivers will alert you to problems and give you extra seconds to react.

· Trucks take longer to stop, so don’t cut in front of them and give them space.

· Don’t use your cruise control or overdrive when it’s freezing (or colder).

· Don’t get overconfident with four-wheel drive. It helps you get going quicker but won’t help you stop any faster.

Safety is no accident!Fire Extinguisher: Check your Fire Extinguishers, if you are unsure of how to check them, contact the Maintenance Department.

• Amerind Financial Services, Inc. (AFSI) offers two coverage programs which are:

• Native American Shield – A coverage program for Homeowners and Tenants.

Community Shield – designed to offer group coverage for homeowners, tenants and other interested entities.

REMINDER: HOME BUYERS WITH CONVEYED HOUSES ARE RESPONSIBLE TO PURCHASE THEIR OWN COVERAGE.

—————————————————-

(from the October 2009 Newsletter)

Colleen Spang, Acquisitions Division Manager

Terri Jo Whiteman

Warehouse Staff:

Linda Simpson, Warehouse Supervisor

Mitzi Prettyontop, Warehouse Technician

Denise Alexander, Warehouse Technician

Earl LaRoche, Temporary Warehouse Technician

Greetings from the Acquisitions office.

The Acquisitions Department would like to thank Melvin Strangeowl for all his hardwork in the warehouse, he made a lot of good changes for our department, he was placed temporarily in the warehouse but he is back with the Construction Department.

We would like to welcome, Don Rapos to our department he was recently assigned temporarily from the Construction Department. All the Warehouse staff are to be commended for a job well done. The warehouse staff have been working very hard at getting the warehouse clean and building storage areas for a lot of our supplies.

We have a Temporary Office Assistant that has been an asset to our department. Welcome, Terri Jo Whiteman.

It’s time to make our homes and communities safe.

Window Safety Tips

Windows provide a secondary means of escape from a burning home. Determine your family’s emergency escape plan and practice it. Remember that children may have to rely on a window to escape in a fire. Help them learn to safely use a window under these circumstances. Here are some window safety tips:

· When performing spring repairs, take care to make sure that your windows are not painted or nailed shut. You must be able to open them to escape in an emergency

· Keep your windows closed and locked when children are around. When opening windows for ventilation, open windows that a child cannot reach, or in the case of a double-hung window, open the top sash only

· Set and enforce rules about keeping children’s play away from windows or patio doors. Falling through the glass can be fatal or cause serious injury

· Keep furniture – or anything children can climb – away from windows. Children may use such objects as a climbing aid

· If you have young children in your home and are considering installing window guards or window fall prevention devices, be aware that the window guards you install must have a release mechanism so that they can be opened for escape in a fire emergency

· Some homes may have window guards, security bars, grilles or grates already covering their windows. Those windows are useless in an emergency if the devices on them do not have a functioning release mechanism. Time is critical when escaping a fire

· Do not install window air conditioners in windows that may be needed for escape or rescue in an emergency. Always be sure that you have at least one window in each sleeping and living area that meets escape and rescue requirements

· The degree of injury sustained from a window fall can be affected by the surface on which the victim falls. Shrubs and soft edging like wood chips or grass beneath windows may lessen the impact if a fall does occur.

Safety is no accident!

Claude Leedom & Lafe Haugen onstage from the AMERIND Conference

I recently attended the 66th Annual Amerind Conference in San Antonio, Texas from October 18-23, 2009. During the Conference, there was alot of information and trainings that occurred.

Listed were the results of the conference:

The ADA Raffle winners:

1st prize Wii—Charles Quartz of Walker River Paiute Tribe Housing Dept.

2nd prize Ipod Nano – Marcia Duggar of AMERIND

3rd prize portable DVD player – Lennette Ronnegard of North Pacific Rim Housing Authority.

Talent Show Winners were:

1st Place Floyd Tortialita (Acoma)

2nd Place Timothy M. Cornelius ( Oklahoma)

3rd Place Arden Kucate (Zuni)

Our very own local artists entered but took 4th place out of 7. Lafe Haugen and Claude Leedom did a Karoake and had the crowd joining in, good job!

The winners are :

Kindergarten through 3rd grade was Casey Hanaway, Colville . 4th through 6th graders: Kennedy McGhee, Poarch Creek 7th and 8th graders: Macy Davis, Bishop Paiute.

No one from Northern Cheyenne made it to National but we still have a chance. I will be checking with the elementary schools to see if there is any interested participants. It is very important for everyone to go online and place their votes. Keep an eye out on future newsletters, there will be information concerning the online voting. We had 3 from our region that entered and made it to the regionals they are from the Northern Cheyenne Tribal Schools. We are very proud of them. Good Job to the region winners: Shanie Eloise McManus, Sarah Anna Fire Bear and Richard Spang.

AMERIND 2009 Tenants and Homeowners Evaluated on Controlling Hazards Around Dwellings (T.H.E. C.H.A.D.) Contest

In an effort to promote safe behaviors of tenants and homeowners, AMERIND is proud to announce a new contest, “Tenants and Homeowners Evaluated on Controlling Hazards Around Dwellings” (T.H.E. C.H.A.D.). We encourage every Housing Authority or TDHE to support every tenant’s and homeowner’s participation in this contest.

Each winner will receive a $100.00 Gift

of their Choice!

How to enter:

To enter AMERIND’s, “T.H.E. C.H.A.D.,” document your actions to protect your family and home from hazards. This could include, but is not limited to:

Ø Purchasing loss prevention/reduction materials such as: smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, stovetop firestops, automatic shut-off space heaters, child proof lighters, exterior home lighting and fire gel or fire resistant paint. (Original receipt must be mailed along with a photo. Both must contain a date stamp within the contest timeframe)

Ø Create defendable space around your home. Clean up trash, remove junk cars, move wood piles away from home, and mow grass around house. (Before and after date stamped photos MUST be submitted)

Ø Participate in behavioral change program. This could include: completing a drug abuse/smoking cessation program or completing an anger management program. (Copies of certificate(s), or acceptable proof of completion, must be turned in with entry form)

Ø Have your home serviced and inspected. Chimney certificates of inspection can be turned in for entry into the contest. Supplying acceptable proof, receipt or certificate, that you have had your breaker panel and electrical wiring inspected during duration of contest will be accepted as an entry. (Initiative must be administered by tenant or homeowner and not housing authority)

• Never leave food on a stove unattended; keep cooking areas free of flammable objects, such as potholders and towels; and avoid wearing clothes with long, loose-fitting sleeves when cooking. By being cautious and attentive with our cooking we lessen the chance of a kitchen fire or a mishap or injury to a child. Not leaving cooking unattended, having the area near the stove clear of flammable items (towels, napkins, boxes, etc.) having pan handles turned in and away from inquisitive little hands.

Safety is no accident!

Fire Extinguisher

Check your Fire Extinguishers, if you are unsure of how to check them, contact the Maintenance Department.

• Amerind Financial Services, Inc. (AFSI) offers two coverage programs which are:

• Native American Shield – A coverage program for Homeowners and Tenants.

Community Shield – designed to offer group coverage for homeowners, tenants and other interested entities.

REMINDER: HOME BUYERS WITH CONVEYED HOUSES ARE RESPONSIBLE TO PURCHASE THEIR OWN COVERAGE.

———————————————

From the September 2009 newsletter

Colleen Spang, Acquisitions Division Manager

LaJuana Castro, Temporary File Clerk

Warehouse Staff:

Linda Simpson, Warehouse Supervisor

Mitzi Prettyontop, Warehouse Technician

Denise Alexander, Warehouse Technician

Greetings from the Acquisitions office.

The Warehouse Staff has made a lot of good changes in the warehouse. We are in the process of upgrading our warehouse, both in inventory and with the system. All these changes are tedious but will benefit not only the warehouse but the whole N.C.T.H.A. staff. We have Two Warehouse Technicians that have recently joined the staff, they have been doing an exceptional job. All the Warehouse staff are to be commended for a job well done.

It’s time to make our homes and communities safe.

Put tight-fitting lid on pot or slide a cookie sheet over cooking oil fire to smother flames. Do not leave food cooking on stove unattended. Turn off overhead fan to stop spread of flames.

Ø Set your water heater at 120 °F or just below the medium setting to prevent burns.

Ø Unplug electronic devices after use. Do not plug in too many devices into an outlet. Keep area around electrical outlets free of combustibles.

Ø Have chimney flue checked for buildup of creosote and have it cleaned when needed.

Ø Make sure there is enough clearance between the stove and combustible materials—includes floors, walls, and ceilings

Ø Teach your children to not hide in a closet or under a bed during a fire. If trapped on the second floor or higher of a building, place a garment out a window to let firefighters know where you are.

Ø Use interior ashtrays in vehicles instead of throwing cigarettes out of vehicles. This will help to reduce the risk of potential wildfires.

Ø Trim tree branches that overhang the roof of your home. If you live in a wildfire area, make sure there is at least 30 ft. defendable space between trees and your home, 50 ft. if you live in heavily wooded area, and 100 ft. if you live on a slope.

Ø Smother grease fires with baking soda, NOT water. Never pick up a pan that is on fire.

AMERIND 2009 Tenants and Homeowners Evaluated on Controlling Hazards Around Dwellings (T.H.E. C.H.A.D.) Contest

Each winner will receive a $100.00 Gift

of their Choice!

How to enter:

To enter AMERIND’s, “T.H.E. C.H.A.D.,” document your actions to protect your family and home from hazards. This could include, but is not limited to:

Ø Create defendable space around your home. Clean up trash, remove junk cars, move wood piles away from home, and mow grass around house. (Before and after date stamped photos MUST be submitted)

Winners: Winners will be selected at random during the AMERIND Board of Directors meeting following the end of the contest. Each winner will be notified by phone and/or email. Prizes will be sent out within 30 days after notification. Winners will have the option on how they would like to receive their $100.00 gift—i.e. gift cards to Wal-Mart, Home Depot, restaurants, movies, malls, etc. Gifts can be combined as to not exceed $100.00 per winner. No cash prizes will be given out. In the past years the Housing Authority suffered some major fire losses due to vandalism arson, kids playing with matches and kitchen fires. Fire Losses are the major reason for this change the Housing Authority through its entire staff are going to aggressively promote a fire safety program. As the Amerind Representative for the housing authority, I will be inserting safety tips in all my articles concerning fire safety.

Safety is no accident! Fire Extinguisher: Check your Fire Extinguishers, if you are unsure of how to check them, contact the Maintenance Department. Amerind Risk Management is the Housing Authority’s insurance provider; the Housing Authority has been with this company since 1986. Amerind is set up as a Risk Pool Insurance Provider for Native American Housing Authority’s; Northern Cheyenne Tribal Housing Authority is part of a membership that covers all losses that are in its Policy.

• Amerind Financial Services, Inc. (AFSI) offers two coverage programs which are:

• Native American Shield – A coverage program for Homeowners and Tenants.

Community Shield – designed to offer group coverage for homeowners, tenants and other interested entities.

REMINDER: HOME BUYERS WITH CONVEYED HOUSES ARE RESPONSIBLE TO PURCHASE THEIR OWN COVERAGE.

———————————————————————————————–

From the August 2009 Newsletter

Colleen Spang, Acquisitions Division Manager

Warehouse Staff:

Linda Simpson, Warehouse Supervisor

Mitzi Prettyontop, Warehouse Technician

Denise Alexander, Warehouse Technician

Visit to Turtle Mountain

The Warehouse Staff, Acquisitions Department and the Finance Department made a recent trip to the Turtle Mountain Housing Authority in Belcourt, North Dakota. The Turtle Mountain Housing Authority made a strong impression on the participants of the site visit. The staff visited the Warehouse Department, Maintenance Department, Contracts Department, Procurement Department, Occupancy Department and the Administration Department. We would like to say Thank you to Ron Peltier, Executive Director, Toni Parisien, Controller and all the staff of the Turtle Mountain Housing Authority for making us feel welcome.

In the past years the Housing Authority suffered some major fire losses due to vandalism arson, kids playing with matches and kitchen fires. Fire Losses are the major reason for this change the Housing Authority through its entire staff are going to aggressively promote a fire safety program. As the Amerind Representative for the housing authority, I will be inserting safety tips in all my articles concerning fire safety.

School Safety

Overall, schools are one of the safest places children can be. However, some schools have problems, such as bullying and theft, which make them less secure. These problems make students and educators feel less safe, and it makes it harder for students to learn. There are specific ways that parents can make going to school a safer and more valuable learning experience for their children.

· Talk to your children about their day. Sometimes children won’t tell you right away if they are having problems at school. Look for warning signs, such as a sudden drop in grades, loss of friends, or torn clothing.

· Teach children to resolve problems without fighting. Talk to them about other ways they can work out a problem, such as talking it out, walking away, or telling a trusted adult.

· Keep an eye on your children’s Internet use. Let them know they can talk to you if anything they see online makes them uncomfortable, whether it’s an explicit website or a classmate bullying them or someone else through email, chat, or websites.

· Map out with your children a safe way for them to walk to school or to the bus stop. Avoid busy roads and intersections, vacant lots, construction areas, and parks.

· Teach children to follow traffic signals and rules when walking or biking. Stress that they should cross the street at crosswalks or intersections with crossing guards when they can.

· Teach children not to talk to strangers, go anywhere with them, or accept gifts from them without your permission. Tell them that if they see a suspicious stranger hanging around or in their school they should tell an adult.

· For the younger children, Help them memorize their phone number and full address, including area code and zip code. Write down other important phone numbers such as your work and cell phone on a card for your children to carry with them.

· Have your children arrive at the bus stop at least five minutes before the scheduled time.

· Make sure children know to stand on the sidewalk or grass while waiting for the bus.

· Teach children to make sure they can see the bus driver and the bus driver can see them before crossing in front of the bus. Tell them to never walk behind the bus.

· Be aware that often bullying takes place on the school bus. Ask children about the bus; who they sit with, who they talk to, and what the other kids do. Let them know that if they see someone being bullied, or are bullied themselves, they can talk to you, the bus driver, or another trusted adult.

Window Safety Tips

· When performing spring repairs, take care to make sure that your windows are not painted or nailed shut. You must be able to open them to escape in an emergency

· Set and enforce rules about keeping children’s play away from windows or patio doors. Falling through the glass can be fatal or cause serious injury

· Keep furniture – or anything children can climb – away from windows. Children may use such objects as a climbing aid

• Never leave food on a stove unattended; keep cooking areas free of flammable

objects, such as potholders and towels; and avoid wearing clothes with long, loose-fitting sleeves when cooking. By being cautious and attentive with our cooking we lessen the chance of a kitchen fire or a mishap or injury to a child. Not leaving cooking unattended, having the area near the stove clear of flammable items (towels, napkins, boxes, etc.) having pan handles turned in and away from inquisitive little hands.

Safety is no accident!

Fire Extinguisher

Check your Fire Extinguishers, if you are unsure of how to check them, contact the Maintenance Department.

• Amerind Financial Services, Inc. (AFSI) offers two coverage programs which are:

• Native American Shield – A coverage program for Homeowners and Tenants.

Community Shield – designed to offer group coverage for homeowners, tenants and other interested entities.

REMINDER: HOME BUYERS WITH CONVEYED HOUSES ARE RESPONSIBLE TO PURCHASE THEIR OWN COVERAGE

———————————————–

acquisition-staff

(from the July 2009 newsletter)

Colleen Spang, Acquisitions Division Manager

Andreen Parker, File Clerk

Chastity Killsnight, Temporary File Clerk

Warehouse Staff:

Linda Simpson, Warehouse Supervisor

Mitzi Prettyontop, Warehouse Technician

Denise Alexander, Warehouse Technician

Blessings to you and your families, the pleasure, joy and well being of our families are foremost in our minds. To ensure this atmosphere of caring, we need to raise our levels of awareness to the many underlying hazards that can arise in a moment and place our loved ones in jeopardy and danger. As the Amerind Representative for the housing authority, I will be inserting safety tips in all my articles concerning fire safety.

We have made some changes in the structure of the Acquisitions Department. The warehouse was recently placed under the supervision of Finance. Acquisitions is a division of Finance, so therefore, the warehouse is under the immediate supervision of the Acquisitions Department. I would like to welcome the warehouse staff which consists of Linda Simpson, Mitzi Prettyontop and Denise Alexander.

HOME FIRE SAFETY

Safety Tips for Gas Barbeques

· Inspect the cylinder of your propane tank for bulges, dents, gouges, corrosion, leaks, or evidence of extreme rusting. Also, examine the hoses on your grill for brittleness, leaks, holes, cracks, or sharp bends. If you find any of these problems, it’s time to replace the equipment.

· Be sure to keep propane tanks upright, and move gas hoses away from dripping grease and hot surfaces.

· Propane tanks require sophisticated valve equipment to keep them safe for use with grills. Never try to remove the valve from your propane tank, because you’ll risk an explosion. Always close the tank valve when you’re finished using it.

· Never bring your propane tank indoors, and never store spare gas containers under or near your grill. Don’t store other flammable liquids, such as gasoline, near propane tanks. Keep your barbeque covered when it’s not in use to prevent hazardous situations.

· If you must transport your propane tank for any purpose, be sure you choose a relatively cool day. Keeping containers or any other grill parts that are under pressure in a hot car will cause an increase in the pressure of the gas, which could cause an explosion.

· Never dispose of your propane tank by throwing it in the trash. Check to see if there are municipal programs for collection in your area. If your grill uses a disposable tank, take care to use up all the residual gas before discarding it.

Safety Tips for Charcoal Grills

· Operate charcoal grills only outdoors, never inside an enclosed area. Even if you’ve finished grilling, and you assume all the coals are extinguished, they’re still producing carbon monoxide, so keep your charcoal grills outside at all times.

· Don’t wear loose clothing, especially long sleeves, while grilling.

· Charcoal grills tend to flare up, so keep a fire extinguisher handy.

· Use charcoal lighter fluid to light new coals only; don’t use it on coals that are already lit.

Window Safety Tips

· When performing spring repairs, take care to make sure that your windows are not painted or nailed shut. You must be able to open them to escape in an emergency

· Set and enforce rules about keeping children’s play away from windows or patio doors. Falling through the glass can be fatal or cause serious injury

· Keep furniture – or anything children can climb – away from windows. Children may use such objects as a climbing aid

• Never leave food on a stove unattended; keep cooking areas free of flammable

Safety is no accident!

Safety tips

· Store matches and lighters out of children’s reach and sight, up high, preferably in a locked cabinet.

· Never use lighters or matches as a source of amusement for children; they may imitate you.

· If your child expresses curiosity about fire or has been playing with fire, calmly but firmly explain that matches and lighters are tools for adults only.

· Never leave matches or lighters in a bedroom or any place where children may go without supervision.

Fire Extinguisher

Check your Fire Extinguishers, if you are unsure of how to check them, contact the Maintenance Department.

• Amerind Financial Services, Inc. (AFSI) offers two coverage programs which are:

• Native American Shield – A coverage program for Homeowners and Tenants.

Community Shield – designed to offer group coverage for homeowners, tenants and other interested entities.

The Northern Cheyenne Tribal Housing Authority has decided to purchase Insurance for Elders 60 years old and over. Please Note: The Elders will need to be living in the house that has their Insurance covered by the N.C.T.H.A., One House per Elder. These houses do not have to be HUD houses. For more information, Contact Colleen Spang at the housing office, 406-477-6419, Ext. 103.

REMINDER: HOME BUYERS WITH CONVEYED HOUSES ARE RESPONSIBLE TO PURCHASE THEIR OWN COVERAGE.

————————————————

(from June 2009 newsletter)

Colleen Spang, Acquisitions Division Manager

Andreen Parker, Temporary File Clerk

Denise Alexander, Warehouse Technician

Mitzi Prettyontop, Warehouse Technician

Linda Simpson, Warehouse Supervisor

Blessings to you and your families, the pleasure, joy and well being of our families are foremost in our minds. To ensure this atmosphere of caring, we need to raise our levels of awareness to the many underlying hazards that can arise in a moment and place our loved ones in jeopardy and danger. I will be inserting safety tips in all my articles concerning fire safety.

Fire Extinguisher

Check your Fire Extinguishers, if you are unsure of how to check them, contact the Maintenance Department.

Joely Heavyrunner, Amerind Claims Representative from the Amerind Risk Management Corporation made a site visit to the housing authority. I am happy to say that the CPR/First Aid Trainings and Housing Security Trainings that were held at the housing authority on June 8 – 10, 2009 were a huge success.

47 of the Northern Cheyenne Tribal Housing Authority Employees attended the trainings for the CPR/First Aid.

Also, Victoria Alonzo, Receptionist, Amerind Risk Management Corporation conducted a Customer Service Training on June 9, 2009 here at the housing authority.

• Amerind Financial Services, Inc. (AFSI) offers two coverage programs which are:

• Native American Shield – A coverage program for Homeowners and Tenants.

Community Shield – designed to offer group coverage for homeowners, tenants and other interested entities.

HEALTH & SAFETY NEWS

· Don’t use scented soaps, perfumes or hair sprays on your child.

· Avoid areas where insects nest or congregate, such as stagnant pools of water, uncovered foods and gardens where flowers are in bloom.

· Avoid dressing your child in clothing with bright colors or flowery prints.

· To remove a visible stinger from skin, gently scrape it off horizontally with a credit card or your fingernail.

· Combination sunscreen/insect repellent products should be avoided because sunscreen needs to be reapplied every two hours, but the insect repellent should not be reapplied.

· Insect repellents containing DEET are most effective against ticks, which can transmit Lyme Disease, and mosquitoes, which can transmit West Nile Virus and other viruses.

· The current CDC and AAP recommendation for children over 2 months of age is to use 30 percent DEET. DEET should not be used on children under 2 months of age.

· The concentration of DEET in products may range from less than 10 percent to over 30 percent. Ten percent DEET only protects for about 30 minutes – inadequate for most outings.

· The concentration of DEET varies significantly from product to product, so read the label of any product you purchase. Children should wash off repellents when back indoors.

Source: AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS, 2009

SAFETY TIPS

Store matches and lighters out of children’s reach and sight, up high, preferably in a locked cabinet.

· Never use lighters or matches as a source of amusement for children; they may imitate you.

· If your child expresses curiosity about fire or has been playing with fire, calmly but firmly explain that matches and lighters are tools for adults only.

· Never leave matches or lighters in a bedroom or any place where children may go without supervision.

HOME FIRE SAFETY

Here are some simple prevention tips to help protect your family from fire:

• Install smoke detectors on every floor of your home, including the basement. Be sure to place smoke detectors near rooms where people sleep.

• Never leave food on a stove unattended; keep cooking areas free of flammable

• Never place portable space heaters near flammable materials like drapes or clothes. Check electrical appliances and their cords/wiring to ensure it is in proper working order and removing defective equipment. When using small electric heaters it should have an automatic shut off tip over switch and be placed at least 36” from furniture or drapery.

—————————-

Colleen Spang, Acquisitions Division Manager and LaJuana Castro, File Clerk

Blessings to you and your families, the pleasure, joy and well being of our families are foremost in our minds. To ensure this atmosphere of caring, we need to raise our levels of awareness to the many underlying hazards that can arise in a moment and place our loved ones in jeopardy and danger. I will be inserting safety tips in all my articles concerning fire safety.

HOME FIRE SAFETY

Here are some simple prevention tips to help protect your family from fire:

• Install smoke detectors on every floor of your home, including the basement. Be sure to place smoke detectors near rooms where people sleep.

• Test all of your smoke detectors every month to ensure that they work properly.

• Use smoke detectors equipped with lithium-powered, long-life batteries and hush buttons to quickly stop nuisance alarms caused by steam, rising heat, oven smoke, or other known causes.

• If long-life smoke detectors are not available, install smoke detectors that use regular batteries and replace the batteries every year. To help you remember this annual task, change your batteries when you change your clocks to standard time in the fall.

• Never leave food on a stove unattended; keep cooking areas free of flammable

objects, such as potholders and towels; and avoid wearing clothes with long, loose-fitting sleeves when cooking.

• Don’t smoke in bed, and never leave burning cigarettes unattended. Do not empty smoldering ashes in a trashcan. Keep ashtrays away from upholstered furniture and curtains. Always wet cigarette butts with water before disposing.

• Never place portable space heaters near flammable materials like drapes or clothes

• Make a family fire escape plan and practice it every six months. Include at least two different escape routes from each room for each family member. Designate a safe place in front of the house or apartment building for family members to meet after escaping a fire.

• Install fire sprinklers in your home to suppress fires. Fire sprinklers can be retrofitted to existing homes or installed during the construction of new housing.

Safety is no accident!

Children playing with fire cause hundreds of deaths and injuries each year. Preschoolers and kindergartners are most likely to start these fires, typically by playing with matches and lighters, and are most likely to die in them.

Safety tips

· Store matches and lighters out of children’s reach and sight, up high, preferably in a locked cabinet.

· Never use lighters or matches as a source of amusement for children; they may imitate you.

· If your child expresses curiosity about fire or has been playing with fire, calmly but firmly explain that matches and lighters are tools for adults only.

· Use only lighters designed with child-resistant features. Remember child-resistant does not mean child proof.

· Teach young children and school-age children to tell an adult if they see matches or lighters.

· Never leave matches or lighters in a bedroom or any place where children may go without supervision.

· If you suspect your child is intentionally setting fires or unduly fascinated with fire, get help. Your local fire department, school, or community counseling agency can put you in touch with trained experts.

By being cautious and attentive with our cooking we lessen the chance of a kitchen fire or a mishap or injury to a child. Not leaving cooking unattended, having the area near the stove clear of flammable items (towels, napkins, boxes, etc.) having pan handles turned in and away from inquisitive little hands.

Check electrical appliances and their cords/wiring to ensure it is in proper working order and removing defective equipment. When using small electric heaters it should have an automatic shut off tip over switch and be placed at least 36” from furniture or drapery. Proper installation and maintenance of hot water heaters, gas and wood burning stoves are critical to ensure our homes are safe from uncontrolled fires.

Fire Extinguisher

Check your Fire Extinguishers, if you are unsure of how to check them, contact the Maintenance Department.

As the Contact Person for the Amerind Risk Management Corporation, I would like to inform the public of information concerning Amerind Risk Management Corporation’s Insurance, such as the Arson Reward, the two coverage programs, the Fire Poster Contest that I will bring to the area schools and a little fire safety information.

Joely Heavyrunner, Amerind Claims Representative from the Amerind Risk Management Corporation made a site visit to the housing authority. A Claims Training was held at the housing authority on February 19, 2009. This training included information on the process to submitting claims concerning a fire loss.

Employees that attended the training were:

Roger Killsnight, Sr., Maintenance Division Manager

Colleen Spang, Acquisition Division Manager

LaJuana Castro, File Clerk, Acquisitions

Vance Littlebird, Birney/Lame Deer District Counselor

Jerry Thex, Skilled Leadman, Maintenance

Fern Standingwater, Ashland/SBC District Counselor

Thomas Woodenlegs, Skilled Maintenance

Lynette Spang, Lame Deer District Counselor

Katrina Spang, Muddy Cluster District Counselor (not in photo)

• Amerind Financial Services, Inc. (AFSI) offers two coverage programs which are:

• Native American Shield – A coverage program for Homeowners and Tenants.

Community Shield – designed to offer group coverage for homeowners, tenants and other interested entities.

REMINDER: HOME BUYERS WITH CONVEYED HOUSES ARE RESPONSIBLE TO PURCHASE THEIR OWN COVERAGE.

Download
Native American Shield home insurance application

Northern Cheyenne Tribal Housing Authority

Acquisitions Division

Home Owners Insurance for Elders

Safety is no accident!

Archives

External Links

USDA Rural Development - Montana