4/7/2020 District 2 Easter Baskets
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, District 2 will be unable to provide Easter baskets for District youth this year. However, we are currently working to address what we can do for District 2 members during this trying time. Thank you for your understanding.
4/6/2020 Health Clinic Visitors
Ponca Health Services would like to thank all of our clients for choosing our clinics for your healthcare needs.
The health and safety of our patients, healthcare staff, and the community is our number one priority. Ponca Health Services clinics (Fred LeRoy Health and Wellness Center in Omaha and Ponca Hills Health and Wellness Center in Norfolk) will be taking further precautions to limit the spread of COVID-19 by no longer allowing visitors to accompany patients at our facilities, effective immediately.
We understand that there may be circumstances that require exceptions to this policy, including minors, dependent adults or caregivers required for transportation following an appointment. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us to discuss your personal needs prior to your arrival at one of our facilities.
For more information, or any questions, please call us at 402-733-3612 or 402-371-8780.
3/27/2020 Ponca Express
Until further notice, transportation through Ponca Express will be limited to inner district travel only. For more information, please contact Ponca Express at 402-860-1223 or 402-238-6905.
3/20/2020 – MMIR 5K & Ponca Nation Summit Postponed
The MMIR 5K, scheduled for May 9, 2020, and the Ponca Nation Summit, scheduled for June 13, 2020, have both been postponed to a later date. Please watch for updated information on these events.
3/18/2020 – No Walk-In Traffic
EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY
Ponca Tribe of Nebraska office sites will no longer be accepting walk-in traffic. This includes the Service Delivery Area offices in Norfolk, Niobrara, Omaha, and Lincoln, Nebraska, and Sioux City, Iowa, and the offices of all other Ponca Tribal entities, including Northern Ponca Housing, Osni Ponca, and Prairie Flower Casino. Members and clients will still be able to visit the offices by appointment only but are encouraged to call first to confirm their appointment. Additionally, the Fred LeRoy Health & Wellness Center, and Ponca Health Services medical clinics will remain open.
Please be aware that this is a rapidly changing situation, and that Ponca Tribal officials will continue to work to make changes as necessary to make changes that will help protect the health and safety of staff, tribal members, and clients.
If you have a question or need access, below are numbers to each office location:
Niobrara: 402-857-3391
Norfolk: 402-371-8834
Sioux City: 712-258-0500
Omaha: 402-734-5275
Ralston: 402-315-2760
Lincoln: 402-438-9222
NPHA: 402-379-8224
Osni: 402-434-2127
Prairie Flower: 888-946-667
3/17/2020 – CLOSURE NOTICE
In order to protect the health of our patients, team, and community members, Ponca Health Services is temporarily suspending all non-emergent Dental services at both the Fred LeRoy Health and Wellness Center, and the Ponca Hills Health and Wellness Center. We will continue to be available to address the emergency dental needs of our patients, including severe toothache, swelling of the gums, face or neck, or dental trauma (broken teeth due to injury). If you have a dental emergency, please contact our Dental Team.
Omaha: 402-733-1325 | Norfolk: 402-371-8780
Dental staff will answer calls and return voicemails from 8 am-4 pm daily.
3/17/2020 – PTN Building Access
All areas with fitness equipment in PTN buildings (gyms and other exercise areas) are being closed to everyone until further notice, per CDC guidelines. This action is being taken to ensure the safety and health of our members, clients, and employees.
If you have any questions, please reach out to the COVID-19@poncatribe-ne.org address.
Thank you for your understanding.
3/16/2020 – Travel Ban
Effective Monday, March 16th, the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska has instituted a travel ban for all employees and tribal officials. In addition, all scheduled community events and trainings are canceled or postponed until May 1, at which time they will be evaluated for the safety of our tribal members.
Tribal Council would like to remind our entire tribal nation that this is a rapidly evolving situation and we will put additional measures in place as necessary. Council also wants to reassure you that we are actively monitoring the latest developments and are working to mitigate any potential effects that could harm our tribal community, especially our elders and other vulnerable populations. To that end, the following travel ban is being issued until further notice.
Effective March 16th, the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska is issuing a tribal wide travel ban for all tribal employees and officials. This ban applies to all employees and entities under the Ponca Tribe as well as Tribal Council, boards, and committees.
• This includes new travel as well as any currently booked out-of-state (and international) trips.
• If you are currently on travel (out-of-state or international), you are to make the Emergency Response Team aware of your return in case additional safety measures are needed.
• No outside meetings or rentals are to take place at the tribal offices.
• All tribal events are being postponed during this time.
• Travel between the tribal offices and within the tribal service areas should be limited, unless deemed essential.
• These restrictions are in place regardless of funding source.
All directors and supervisors are instructed to consider valuable training alternatives such as video or teleconference in place of in-person training. Directors and supervisors should work with their employees in minimizing the financial burden to the Tribe by making all attempts to get travel and registration costs refunded or credited for future use.
Furthermore, only essential or mandatory out-of-state travel would be considered on a case-bycase basis by the Tribal Council.
On behalf of the Tribal Council, we appreciate your understanding and patience as we get through this together.
3/16/2020 – Events and Training
Please note that all scheduled community events and training are being postponed until after May 1st.