Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe Departmental Fact Sheet
Education 
River Restoration

Tribal Council: The Lower Elwha Tribal Council, or Business Committee, consists of five elected officials serving three year, overlapping terms. In balloting held one week after the annual May general election, the Chairperson is elected by all eligible voters, over 18, for a one-year term. The Business Committee has full and ultimate responsibility for management of all tribal programs operating on an annual budget.

Child Care: The Tribe operates a licensed childcare center for 40 children, age birth through 12 years. Additionally, child care vouchers are available to eligible Native Americans residing in the Tribe’s service area who need child care to attend school, work, or work training or have need for child care for child protective purposes. For any further information, please call Chris Tyndall 452-3562.

Education: The Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe administers Higher Education, Adult Education and Adult Vocational Training. Some other programs offered are Head Start, Summer Youth Employment, and Johnson O’Malley that provides tutoring and other educational enhancement. Also JOM meetings are scheduled in the Computer Lab for the 2nd Wed. of the month. 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tracey Hosselkus ext. 121 is the education director.

Elders Program: This program provides meals for Native American Elders 55 years and up, funded through the Department of Health and Human Services, Title VI, Older Americans Act and U.S.D.A.. Meals are served five days a week in the Lower Elwha dining hall. Loretta Charles is the food manager she can be reached at ext. 177.

Environmental Quality: The Tribal Environmental Quality (TEQ) Office addresses environmental threats to human health of the tribal community and ecological impacts to the Lower Elwha Reservation. Current projects include flood hazard planning, Klallam Community Forest Plan, interpretive trail systems, computer mapping, clean up agreements for closure of the Rayonier Mill site, operation of community water systems, surface water quality testing, and treatment as a state for Water Quality Standards. Matt Beirne 360.457.4012 ext. 12.

Housing Authority: Lower Elwha Housing Authority has 108 houses under its jurisdiction where are being purchased by Tribal members; also 12 apartment rentals. Please contact John Williamson ext. 301 for any additional information.

Information Services: The Information Services department is responsible for maintaining the fully networked Tribal facilities and the on-line capabilities of the employees and tribal members as well as the phone system. James Cooper at extension 114 for more information.

Police: The Tribal Police Department is dedicated to providing quality law enforcement services to the residents of the Tribal Community. The Police Department currently employs three Tribal members among six officers. The department is committed to professionalism through training and is the State Training Coordinator agency for the Clallam and Jefferson County region, as well as running the only Reserve Academy in the region. The agency prides itself on its dedication to youth and the reduction of fear and personal violence in the Tribal Community. A primary focus of the Tribe is the prevention and intervention of domestic violence. Please contact Chief Rodney Charles ext. 132 for further information.

River Restoration

Social Services: The Social Services department provides a variety of services. It is the lead tribal agency for all matters involving Indian Child Welfare as defined in the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978, including direct childcare and benefits, guardianship, and child placement activities. Another portion of this program is providing direct financial and in-kind services via General Assistance, Emergency Food (Food Bank and Food Vouchers), and Energy Assistance (LIHEAP and Elder’s Wood Program). The Tribe implemented its own TANF program on October 1, 1998 and Dept. of Labor ñ Welfare-to-Work program in June 1999. The Social Services Team also works closely with other Tribal, State and Federal programs to coordinate services. Cecile Greenway ext. 136.

TERO: The Tribal Employment Rights Ordinance (TERO) Program was established to ensure that qualified Native Americans are employed for jobs within the Reservation Boundaries that are part of Federally funded contracts. This program is coordinated by Alyce Charles, Human Resources Director, ext. 150.