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Navajo Council health committee hearing about Domestic Violence shelters, 6.24.20
June 24, 2020 Professional Journal

The Navajo Nation Council Health, Education and Human Services Committee continues its review of how the Navajo Nation Division of Social Services is treating non-profit Domestic Violence shelters helping Navajo citiizens, families, victims and children.

Last week, the HEHS was informed by Social Services Division’s Strengthening Family Program that the program has been paying the salary of a director to oversee the Gentle Ironhawk Shelter in Blanding, Utah. Navajo Council Delegate Charlaine Tso, who represents the chapters of Mexican Water, To’likan, Teesnospos, Aneth, and Red Mesa, said the Gentle Ironhawk Shelter is not providing domestic violence shelter services.

The HEHS has also learned that the Navajo Nation Division of Social Services Strengthening Farmilies Program, which is responsible for getting federal contract dollars to several non-profit Domestic Violence Shelters, such as ADABI or Ama Doo Alchini Bighan Inc. of Chinle, Arizona, had not given the shelters their federal contract dollars for more then nine months because the Navajo Nation Risk Management Department, Division of Social Services and their Strengthening Families had changed the Rules. ADABI director Lorena Halwood broke down in tears as she told the HEHS that her staff have not been paid for Nine months but they were still working because they see the victims of domestic violence.

The Winslow, Arizona, Shelter reported that their two shelters are constantly full and if they finally receive their federal contract funds, which she and the other shelters had contact agreements with the Navajo Nation Strengthening Families Program, she will be unable to fully spend the 12-month of funds awarded to the Winslow shelter which will create problems for the Winslow shelter when they apply for federal dollars again.

If the Shelters do not spend their funds during the allotted time, the federal government could very well tell the Shelters that because they did not spend the federal funds that they were awarded that perhaps the Shelters don’t need as much money.

And who is ultimately legally responsible for the proper management of all Direct Services funded by federal dollars, including critically needed Domestic Violence SHELTERS, counseling, transportation, victim advocates, food, water, utilities, PPEs, disinfectant/cleaning supplies, hand sanitizers, clothing, diapers, baby food, children’s clothing, bedding, etc., etc? Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez and Vice President Myron Lizer. So where is Nez & Lizer. National media reported that Lizer was representing the Navajo Nation at the Trump’s campaign rally in Phoenix Tuesday, 6.23.20. I don’t know if Lizer attended Trump rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Saturday, 6.20.20.

The Health, Education & Human Services Committee is meeting via teleconference. The Call In Number: (425) 436-6301 Access Code: 708044 Please, Please MUTE your phone!! Ahe’hee/Thank You! May Peace Prevail on Mother Earth!!

PROPOSED AGENDA for HEALTH, EDUCATION AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE, 24th NAVAJO NATION COUNCIL
Regular Meeting via Telecommunications
Call In Number: (425) 436-6301 Access Code: 708044
June 24, 2020, 10:00 a.m.
PRESIDING : Honorable Daniel E. Tso, Chairperson
Honorable Carl Roessel Slater, Vice-Chairperson
PLACE : Via Telecommunications
Window Rock, Navajo Nation (Arizona)


□ Paul Begay, Jr. □ Charlaine Tso
□ Carl Roessel Slater □ Daniel E. Tso
□ Pernell Halona □ Edison J. Wauneka


1) CALL MEETING TO ORDER; ROLL CALL; INVOCATION; ANNOUNCEMENTS
2) RECOGNIZE GUESTS AND VISITING OFFICIALS
3) REVIEW AND ADOPT THE AGENDA
m: s: v: Yeas: Nays:
Not Voting: Absent:
4) REVIEW AND ADOPT THE JOURNAL(S):
m: s: v: Yeas: Nays:
Not Voting: Absent:
5) RECEIVING REPORT
a. Report from NDSS on Strengthening Family Program (SFP) Funding Federal Grants FVBSA
Presenters: Deannah Neswood-Gishey, Executive Director, and NDSS Staff;
Honorable Daniel E. Tso
m: s: v: Yeas: Nays:
Not Voting: Absent:
b. Update Report from NDOH on DALTCS Senior Centers and Update Report from Epidemiology Center regarding COVID-19 data
Presenters: Dr. Jill Jim, NDOH Executive Director; Lenora Henderson, DALTCS; Ramona Antone Nez, Director, EPI Center
m: s: v: Yeas: Nays:
Not Voting: Absent:
Page 2 of 2
c. Report on Wide Ruins Community School & Shiprock Alternative School, Inc. and Kin Dah Lichi’i Olta’ School

Presenters: Darrick Franklin, Education Program Manager, Office of Dine Accountability & Compliance, DODE and Staff; Honorable Daniel E. Tso
m: s: v: Yeas: Nays:
Not Voting: Absent:
d. Report on “Make COVID-19 Virus Non-Lethal” Presenters: John MacMahon, Co-Founder Cytokind, Inc.; Honorable Pernell Halona
m: s: v: Yeas: Nays:
Not Voting: Absent:
6) OLD BUSINESS
a. Legislation 0295-19 An Action Relating To Health, Education and Human Services Committee; Amending The Navajo Office of Standards, Curriculum and Assessment Development Plan of Operation

Sponsor: Honorable Edison J. Wauneka (Note: Eligible for Committee Action
October 06, 2019)
[NOTE: October 16, 2019 – Main Motion by: Paul Begay, Jr.; Second by: Charlaine Tso; Vote: Pending
October 16, 2019 – Motion to Table by: Pernell Halona; Second by: Carl R. Slater; Vote: 5-0 CNV; For
Program to correct Exhibit A language, include NN BOE Resolution and updated Organization Chart]
[NOTE: March 11, 2020 – Deleted from agenda – no committee action taken]
[NOTE: June 10, 2020 – Recall Motion by Pernell Halona; Second by: Paul Begay, Jr.; Vote: 4-0 CNV;
yeas: PH; PBJ; EJW; CS; nays: none; absent/not voting: CTso
[NOTE: June 10, 2020 – Motion to table 2nd time – Lost quorum]
10-16-19: Main Motion by: PBJ s: CTso v: Yeas: Nays:
Not Voting: Absent:
7) NEW BUSINESS
a. Legislation 0046-20 An Action Relating To The Health Education and Human Services and Naabik’iyati Committees; Supporting Arizona House Concurrent Resolution 2001 (AZ HCR2001) Titled “English Language Education” Sponsor: Honorable Nathaniel Brown (Note: Eligible for Committee Action March 12, 2020)
m: s: v: Yeas: Nays:
Not Voting: Absent:
b. Other
m: s: v: Yeas: Nays:
Not Voting: Absent:
8) CLOSE OF MEETING; ANNOUNCEMENTS; ADJOURNMENT
Adjournment Motion: s: v: Yeas: Nays:

THIS AGENDA SUBJECT TO CHANGE: The public is advised that the Navajo Nation Council Agenda and the Agendas of the Standing Committees are not final until adopted by a majority vote of the Navajo Nation Council or the Standing Committees at a Navajo Nation Council or a Standing
Committee meeting pursuant to 2 N.N.C. §§163 and 183, Navajo Nation Council Rule of Order.

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