The Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians Social and Elderly Nutrition Program provides direct lines of support and communications for elders with the Social Services, Food Distribution, and Emergency Financial Assistance programs. In November 2001, a new activity center featuring a fully equipped kitchen, fitness center, and arts and crafts area will open and be available for use by elders. Currently, the Elderly Nutrition Program provides more than 42,000 meals annually to over 500 elders. They are increasing transportation services through a partnership with the Tribal Transportation Program. Under the leadership of Mrs. Denson, the 21^st Century will be successful for elder members of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians.

As a long-term Title VI grantee, Mr. Greeley and the program staff have continuously broadened the program to offer more diversified activities for the elders. Through their efforts, the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs has provided additional funding and other support to the elders program. The Tribe has recently opened an assisted living facility for Tribal elders. Each year the Senior Department organizes an "Honor Seniors Day" where over 1,000 elders, both Indian and non-Indian on and off the Reservation are honored. Mr. Greeley and the staff participate in many organizations that benefit the elders, including serving on the Governor's Commission on Senior Services, the State Attorney General's Task Force on Elder Abuse, and the Oregon Fraudbusters Squad.

Meals, transportation, recreation, and cultural activities are the cornerstones of the Kickapoo Title VI Program. As an original Title VI grantee, the program continues to focus on improving the quality of life for the elders. Although the program provides home delivered meals, Ms. Simon encourages all the elders to eat at the congregate facility in order for them to mingle and visit with friends. The program provides hot meals daily to 50 elders. The program has started Bingo to increase revenue and provide funding for trips for the elders. The cultural activities this past year focused on interacting with Tribal youth.

The Title VI Nutrition program provides services to elders of the three Rancherias making up the Blue Lake Rancheria Title VI consortium - Blue Lake, Table Bluff, and Big Lagoon. Under the direction of Ms. Huff and her staff, a large array of supportive services are available to elders in these rural Rancherias. These services include a dial-a-ride service, meal delivery including a daily hot meal to homebound elderly in Blue Lake, and a once-a-week frozen meal delivery to elders in rural outlying areas, chore service. Also, a monthly community calendar, medical and nutrition newsletter, and monthly medical checkups at the community recreation center. Classes include basket weaving, low impact aerobics, strength training, meal planning, food, nutrition, and fire safety. As a part of the fire safety class, elders receive free fire extinguishers and taught how to use them.

The Penobscot Nation Elder Meals and Supportive Services Program provides congregate and home delivered meals and supportive services to Tribal members age 55 and older. The program meets the physical, emotional, and social needs of the elders through the nutrition program, transportation, home visits, help with grocery shopping, monthly shopping trips to the local mall. Special events, such as holiday parties, fall foliage tours, and out-of-state trips, keep the elders active. Ms. Kondilis and staff increase resources for the Program by actively seeking out services from other local programs who serve the elder population, including the Area Agency on Aging.

The Inter-Tribal Council of Nevada, in its unwavering commitment to Tribal elders, has created an innovative approach to providing critical services to Tribal Organizations that are too small to apply for Title VI funds independently. These Tribal Organizations are remote and geographically isolated, with scarce resources. The Inter-Tribal Council provides administrative support and management for the nine Tribes who comprise the three Title VI grants. Under the direction of Mr. Crawford, the programs have coordinated with local programs and have developed innovative service delivery practices.

The Wyandotte Nation Title VI Program is dedicated to serving the community and the elders with a nutritional and healthy diet and activities to preserve the Tribal community and culture. Ms. House and program staff coordinated a food share program with area Tribes and Title III to acquire 27 semi-truck loads of food for the Desert Storm War. By coordinating with local programs, the Wyandotte Title VI Program has received a Medi-Care + Choice Grant, home bound meals, and many community activities. The Program honors their elders by celebrating birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, and memorial dinners.

Elderly participants in the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes Elderly Nutrition Program receive nutritious meals that result in improved health and self-esteem. As well as providing daily meals, nutrition screening, education and counseling are done monthly. Traditional foods are served for holiday meals and a special effort is made to include some traditional foods at least monthly. Ms. Hayes and her staff plan traditional activities, such as berry picking, and other recreation, leisure, and educational activities to promote the health and well-being of the elders.

The Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Elders Program provides nutritious meals and support services to the area's elderly community. Ms. Judson and her staff actively coordinate with other programs within the Tribe as well as other Federal and State programs. One successful program has been "Project Fresh" which provides participants with coupons to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables at local farmer markets. Ojibway Language classes are held at the Sowmick Senior Center. Additionally, the Ziibiwing Cultural Society meets regularly at the Center, giving the elders an opportunity to be involved in historic preservation and other cultural issues facing the Tribe. Through the Tribal Education High School Advocate, reservation youth prepare and serve holiday meals to their elders.

 The Uintah and Ouray Senior Citizen's Program offers a large array of supportive services, including nutrition, home health care, information and referral, transportation, chore, outreach, visiting, and cultural activities. Additionally, they have recently developed an Adult Day Care Program and Wellness Center. Under the direction of Ms. Cuch, they have developed an innovative partnership with Utah State University for conducting a nutrition project on traditional foods, herbal medicines, and diabetes. The Ute Tribe Seniors Center has just received a grant through the Utah Arts Council to develop a beading project for its arts and crafts department.