Member Services
Dry Creek Rancheria Band of Pomo Indians
Member Services
Dry Creek Pomo people have been living in Sonoma Count for thousands of years. Today the Dry Creek Rancheria Band has more than 900 members. Most members of the Tribe live in the North Coast region and are members of the greater community.
Tribal members participate actively in all aspects of community life. More than 300 members are students, with the majority attending schools in Sonoma County. Adult members of the Tribe work as emergency room doctors, fire fighters, teachers, ecologists, lawyers, bankers, museum directors and contractors in the region.
The Rancheria itself is one of Sonoma County’s leading businesses, generating millions of dollars for the local economy and supporting community activities throughout the region. More than 650 Rancheria employees live, shop, and pay taxes in the area.
The Tribe Pomo Indians provides community benefit grants to public safety departments and hospital districts in Northern Sonoma County. Since 2004, these community benefit grants have exceeded $1.2 million.
In addition, the Tribe provides hundreds of thousands of dollars each year in direct grants to schools and youth groups in the area.
Human Resources
The Human Resources Department offers services for River Rock Casino, Gaming Commission and Dry Creek Rancheria employees.
The department oversees salary, benefits, hiring, orientation, employee relations, policies, training coordination and implementation as well as records. With more than 600 employees, the River Rock Casino has become one of the largest employers in Sonoma County.
Support Services
The first step toward receiving aid is to be a tribal member. Membership enrollment for adults has been suspended until 2008, but the tribe will accept for review child/minor applications. Membership is based and determined on the 1915 Census Rolls.
Child Care Assistance
This program aims to improve the quality and affordability of child care. This is an income-eligible program that is funded through the Department of Health and Human Services. Parents are able to choose a licensed day care location or relative.
OTHER SERVICES
Discount Senior Meals Program
Support Services now provides a discount for tribal elders ages 55 and up that can be used for 80 percent off meals at the casino and 20 percent off purchases at the gift shop.
Tribal ID Cards
Support Services can also provide identification cards for all adult tribal members.
Planning
Community Development is responsible for all aspects of real estate development including planning, architectural and engineering design, and construction management for commercial, industrial, institutional, residential, and infrastructure programs and projects.
The Community Development department ensures that all necessary inspection and testing services are provided to confirm that all codes and zoning compliances are met in accordance with all Tribal Ordinances.
Fiscal
The Fiscal Department safeguards the tribal assets. It oversees all financial statements, maintains accounts and keeps all employee records for financial bookkeeping. Any tribal member can view the financial information by contacting the Fiscal Department.
The Fiscal Department also provides tribal members with assistance on tax returns and counseling for financial issues, such as credit problems and financial planning.
Housing
Rental Assistance – This program utilizes governmental funding sources to better serve the housing needs of low-income tribal members.
Emergency Assistance – The emergency program assists low-income households that have temporarily found themselves without a home. The assistance comes in the form of a one-time rent payment, mortgage payment or security deposit.
Senior/Disabled Assistance – This program assists senior and/or disabled tribal members with immediate housing needs, allowing many to live as independently and safely as possible.
Student Rental Assistance – The Housing Department seeks to alleviate financial restraints for those attaining a higher education by providing aid for student housing needs.
Appliance Replacement & Home Improvement Assistance Program – This program focuses on seniors who own their own home and have no other means of assistance (insurance) for the repair of their homes.
Appliances – This refers to necessary and emergency modest appliance replacement to ensure the health and safety of low income tribal families.
Down Payment Assistance Program – The Housing Department offers down payment or closing costs assistance, financial counseling, home ownership education and ongoing support for low income tribal members who acquire homes off of the tribal reservation.