Friday, November 22, 2024
11/22/2024
The COVID-19 Pandemic Preparedness Project will enable the Tule River Indian Tribe to maintain the vital infrastructure, administration, and management of tribal facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic. The budget for essential tribal operations and reservation infrastructure provided to the Tule River Tribe is primarily funded through proceeds from the Eagle Mountain Casino. Essential operations and core infrastructure include the following: Office of Emergency Management, Telecommunications Department, Office of Public Safety (law enforcement), Fire Department, Public Works (water, waste management), as well as the Family and Social Services Department. To financially support the Tule River infrastructure, the full-service casino was founded in 1996. On May 13, 2020, in accordance with the Tule River Tribal Council?s protective orders in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Eagle Mountain Casino closed to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Although the council was fully aware of the potential financial impact of this decision, it was imperative to ensure the critical well-being of tribal elders, tribal members, casino employees and guests. The Tule River Tribal Council asked tribal members and tribal service employees to shelter at home in according with the recommendations of CDC, state, and federal officials. During the casino closure, the Tribal Council authorized the Casino General Manager to increase preventative measures, including increased cleaning schedules in areas where germs or viruses can be transmitted and the provision of more hand sanitizer stations throughout the property. While the casino is temporarily closed, Tule River conducted a very thorough deep cleaning of the entire property, which included public spaces, offices, and employee spaces. In addition, the tribe hired an outside cleaning company VCR (Valley Cleaning and Restoration) to disinfect, clean, and sanitize the Eagle Mountain Casino and other Tribal Facilities l ike the Tule River Recreation Department, and Eagle Feather Trading Post. As a result of the casino closure and the subsequent immediate and dramatic loss of income, the Tule River Tribe is facing a financial emergency. The lack of an operable budget and inadequate funding sources will inevitably lead to under budgeted staff positions within the Tule River Tribe. Funding for the Tule River Tribe?s most vital services and infrastructure - emergency management, police, fire, public works (water and waste water management), telecommunications, family and social services for those with mental illness - will also be in jeopardy of suspension without financial support provided through the proposed funding offered through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. To date, the Tule River Indian Reservation borders remain closed to outsiders, so the Eagle Mountain Casino daily operations remain closed. It is unknown when the reservation borders will be opened or when the casino will be cleared to open. Recently, the date of June 15, 2020 was announced as a possible soft opening date for Eagle Mountain Casino to reopen. Once the federal, state, and county leaders authorize the facilities to open and when the Tule River Tribal Council determines when doing so is safe for the tribe, employees and the community, then the casino will be opened. The casino will adhere to requirements and safety guidelines concerning the limited number of guests and employees that are allowed in the establishment at one time. As such, initially, the casino will limit the number of employees and patrons that are allowed in to maintain safe social distancing. As a result of these necessary restrictions, proceeds will also be limited until it is deemed safe for the casino to operate at full capacity. For these reasons, the greatest need now and certainly for the next 12 months, is funding for essential tribal services and core infrastructure that are normally fun
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).
