The Tribal Council of 1993 understood the need to support and empower the tribal membership for employment opportunities so they enacted the TERO Ordinance; a tribal law that requires Indian preference and specifically Karuk preference in employment and contracting.

 

It institutes a tribal fee of 2% on all contracts with the Tribe over $2500. This fee is used for workforce training development activities and other work readiness needs to assist tribal members to become employable and self-sufficient.

TERO also supports other programs through collaborative partnerships and sponsors activities at the annual Tribal reunion.

TERO also certifies Karuk-owned Indian businesses and maintains a skills bank of sub-contractors and workers and their skills for referrals to contractors who contract with the Tribe.

 

Click here for a Skills Bank Application

 

The activities of the TERO Department are governed by a commission of tribal members consisting of a representative from each of our three communities. The current TERO Commission is listed below.

     

Debbie Whitman	Happy Camp District
Richard Goodwin	Happy Camp District
Red Hockaday	Yreka District
Barry Hockaday	Happy Camp District
Arch Super	Council Representative; Yreka District
Renee Stauffer	Council Representative; Orleans District

 

TERO Staff:

Dion Wood, TERO Director

Michelle Spence, TERO Deputy Director

 

The 2015 Tribal Council enacted a tribal law that the TERO Commission worked on for some time.  This tribal law protects Karuk Government employees from workplace discrimination.  It is the Karuk Tribe Workforce Protection Act.  You can view it by clicking on the link below.  The TERO Commission meets at least monthly; contact the TERO Director if you would like information about upcoming meetings.

TERO Department – 800-505-2785 extension 2030 or dwood@karuk.us

TERO Commission – TEROcommission@karuk.us

 

Click here to view the current Karuk Tribal Employment Rights Ordinance and Workforce Protection Act

Click here to view the TERO Compliance Plan for Construction Contracts

 Click here to view the TERO Compliance Plan for Non-Construction Contracts

Adult Education

 

Adult Vocational Training Grant (AVT)

 

The Tribe administers the AVT grant on a “first come first served” basis. These limited funds only allow for approximately five grant awards per year. Due to this limitation, grants are available “one time only’ to tribal members. These grants of up to $1000 each are sent directly to the vocational school that the tribal member is attending and applied to tuition costs. To be eligible you must:

 

Be a Karuk Tribal Member. (Descendants are not eligible)

Provide documentation of High School Graduation or GED certification.

Be enrolled, accepted or attending a vocational school. (cannot be used for down payment)

Have completed the AVT application and submitted the requested documentation.

 

To inquire more about the AVT program contact the TERO Director at: dwood@karuk.us

Currently, internet courses or correspondence courses cannot be funded unless it is pre-approved on a reimbursement basis. This is determined on a case-by-case basis and you are encouraged to contact the TERO Department to see if you can receive assistance for your educational plan.

 

Adult Education Assistance

 

The TERO Department budgets funds for Adult Education Assistance for GED testing fees, tutoring and other costs associated with Adult Learning other than the Higher Education or AVT programs. If you have any questions contact the TERO Director at: dwood@karuk.us

The TERO Department often receives requests for educational equipment such as laptops or electronic media devices and we are not able to fund these kinds of requests. We are not able to assist with rent but if you are attending college or a vocational school you may be eligible for rental assistance through the Karuk Tribe Housing Authority (KTHA).

The TERO Commission meets on a regular basis and can consider special work related requests for funding or loans beyond those described here. We understand the unique needs of tribal members. Contact the TERO Director at: dwood@karuk.us to find out how to submit a request to the TERO Commission to be considered at a TERO Commission meeting.

 

Yootva!