Native American Rehabilitation Association of the Northwest, Inc.
Drum Beat
WELLNESS, SOBRIETY, MENTAL HEALTH, & CULTURE SPRING 2016
Family Spirit Training For Traditional Health Workers
IN THIS ISSUE: Trauma Informed Primary Care 3 Honoring Partners 4 Around the Office 6 Upcoming Events 7 Job Openings
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We are proud of NARA staff that completed the week-long, intensive Family Spirit Training through the Johns Hopkins Center for American Indian Health. Our trainers (pictured right): Marisa Begay, Karla Decker Sorby and Crystal Kee traveled from Minnesota and Arizona to guide trainees in the use of this intervention. Family Spirit is the first ever evidence-based, culturally tailored home-visiting program designed by and for American Indians. The vision of this unique program is “to empower families to promote healthy development and positive lifestyles for mothers and their young children across the lifespan.” The Family Spirit Program is an educational tool divided into short, digestible lessons that cover everything from diapering to budgeting and beyond. Those lessons will be regularly shared by our staff to provide support to
parents prenatally until the child reaches age 3. Studies show that the program can lead to: increased parenting knowledge and involvement; decreased maternal depression; increased home safety; decreased emotional and behavioral problems of mothers; and decreased emotional and behavioral problems of children. We are excited to begin using this tool to expand the services we provide to pregnant women and those with very young children. The program is currently in development as we tailor the program to fit NARA’s integrated care model. (Far left) Staff practicing lessons through role play (Center) The group celebrates completion of training
NARA HISTORY The Native American Rehabilitation Association of the Northwest (NARA) has been providing culturally based services and supports for American Indians and Alaska Natives for over 45 years. In 1970, a small group of American Indian and Alaska Natives realized that there was a need to offer hope and recovery for American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN) struggling with addictions. NARA was created to address this need, and to assure that AI/AN could access services offered by AI/AN providers. Since that time, NARA has evolved to include residential and outpatient substance abuse treatment, physical health care, mental health care, family support services, and a range of cultural activities.
Our Mission
To provide education, physical and mental health services and substance abuse treatment that is culturally appropriate to American Indians, Alaska Natives, and anyone in need.
From the beginning, NARA has been committed to assuring that all of our services are based on AI/AN values and culture. We address a person’s health and wellness, recovery, mental health, and cultural health, integrating the principles of the Medicine Wheel into our work. All services are centered on the family as it is our philosophy that without the family circle, there will be no future.
Our Vision
To achieve the highest level of physical, mental and spiritual well being for American Indians and Alaska Native people.
In February, we celebrated CEO Jackie Mercer for her 20 years of service. Her strong commitment to NARA is so appreciated!
Thank you, Jackie!
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CONTACT US Oyate Administration, Child & Family Services 1776 SW Madison Portland, OR 97207 503.224.1044
Outpatient Treatment Center 1631 SW Columbia Portland, OR 97201 503.231.2641
Wellness Center/Youth Center 12360 E Burnside Portland, OR 97233 Wellness: 971.279.4800 Youth: 971.279.4838
Indian Health Clinic 15 N Morris Portland, OR 97227 503.230.9875
Residential Treatment Center 17645 NW St. Helen’s Highway Portland, OR 97231 503.621.1069
Totem Lodge 1435 SE Division St Portland, OR 97202 503.548.0346
Trauma Informed Primary Care: NARA Team Presents Research
Congratulations to NARA staff Gaia Artemisia, Roz RingorCarty, Donna Turquoise, Pam Jacobs, and all members of the Diabetes Team for completing the TraumaInformed Primary Care Initiative sponsored by Kaiser and The National Council on Behavioral Health. Members of the team presented results of their project in Las Vegas at the Learning Community Summit. NARA was one of 14 primary care agencies selected to participate nationally.
This initiative is based on research recognizing that experiencing trauma significantly increases the chance of persisting physical health, mental health and addiction problems. The initiative aims to encourage research on ways that primary care can be modified based on the past experiences of the patient. For this project, our team created a plan to treat
clients with severe diabetes in a way that considers past trauma and creates a system of support. The team developed a culturally informed, traumasensitive screening and assessment which was influenced by the work of Psychologist Eduardo Duran PhD, who is Apache and Lakota. These unique tools encourage a verbal, narrative format and take into account multi-generational trauma. Results were used to better support clients through the coordination of medical and mental health care. NARA hopes to expand this initiative by training staff to implement trauma-informed primary care in order to recognize and support others dealing with the long-term impact of trauma. NARA thanks all who contributed to the success of this program! 3
“[The screening] invites patients to ask for more support around their health in taking care of their body, emotions, or spirit.” -From Learning Community Summit presentation
Pam Jacobs and Roz Ringor-Carty at the Learning Community Summit in Las Vegas, Nevada
HONORING OUR PARTNERS
AT THE 30TH ANNUAL NEW YEAR’S EVE SOBRIETY POWWOW
Walking in the Spirit of Wellness Award Philip Archambault, Sr. Thirty years ago, Philip Archambault worked at NARA as the senior counselor and saw the need for the recovering community to have a safe, clean and sober place to celebrate the new year. He began the Northwest’s first sobriety powwow that originally was held in a grange hall. This celebration has grown over the years and has been held at the Oregon Convention Center for the past fifteen years. Now there are many Sobriety Powwow’s across the country. NARA honored Archambault during the last New Year’s Eve Sobriety Powwow for his many years of dedication and service to the people. He was also recognized for teaching many clients and staff the cultural and spiritual way of life. We are grateful for all that he has taught us and we know that with his wisdom and guidance, he will help many, many more to place their feet on the Red Road. We thank you Philip for your leadership and for walking the talk and showing the way.
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 Lew Frederick (left) is an Oregon State Representative who works passionately to represent the people of District 43.
Larry Pressnall (above) is a Chehalis Indian, Vietnam Veteran, and retired Recovery Coach with NARA. Mary Monnat (above) is President and CEO of Lifeworks NW and is a committed advocate for those struggling with addiction.
Tawna Sanchez (above) is of Shoshone-Bannock, Ute, and Carrizio decent. She is a co-founder of NAYA and currently works as the Family Services Director and Interim Executive Director. Tawna Sanchez was recently elected to represent House District 43 in the Oregon Legislature.
 Jarvis Kennedy (right) is a Tribal Council member of the Burns Paiute Tribe and a great supporter of NARA.
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AROUND THE OFFICE 2016 Hadin Award To Bill Jensen
Outreach Specialist Bill Jensen is the recipient of the 2016 HADIN (Homeless Alcohol Drug Intervention Network) Award. HADIN is a coalition of social service workers in the Portland Metro area who come together to match housing resources with homeless clients. Bill and his willingness to go above and beyond for those without permanent housing is exemplified by the character, compassion, empathy, and support he, and the rest of the NARA Outreach Team demonstrate every day.
Out with the Old, In with the New Phone System
Boxes of old phones left as we switch to a new system that allows employees to more directly communicate so our front desk staff can better meet client needs. Those phones are being repurposed for small businesses.
Wellness Center Welcomes a New Drum
We are extremely grateful to have been gifted this beautiful drum (left) made by local artist Adrian Larvie, Oglala Lakota. The drum was donated by Karie Young, Muscogee Creek, who won it in a raffle and felt compelled to give it a home at the Wellness Center. Linda Louise, a NARA Counselor had prayed for that very same drum to find it’s way to NARA. A Drum Blessing Ceremony was held in March where the drum’s first songs in its new home were sung. Cultural Director Philip Archambault and Cultural Advisor Leroy Bigboy led the ceremony and donor Carrie Young played a beautiful flute song for those in attendance.
Staff Wear Red for Native Women’s Heart Health Awareness
February was Heart Health Awareness Month. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in America. NARA staff across the city wore red to raise awareness that American Indian and Alaska Native women are especially vulnerable to heart disease.
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Upcoming NARA Events:
Ongoing Events:
Veteran’s Meeting June 16, 2016 12pm-2pm NARA Youth Center 12360 E Burnside
Portland Indian Elders Support Group (PIES-G) Tuesdays 10am-12pm 1776 SW Madison
NARA Alumni Picnic July 9, 2016 17645 NW St. Helen’s Highway
Elder’s Lunch Tuesdays and Fridays 12pm 1776 SW Madison
Spirit of Giving Conference August 2-4, 2016 Red Lion Inn on the River at Jantzen Beach Register online at www.naranorthwest.org Back to School BBQ August 27, 2016 12pm-4pm Joint Event with NAYA 5135 NE Columbia Boulevard Totem Art Show September 9, 2016 1435 SE Division St
Save the Dates for NARA’s 7th Annual
Spirit of Giving Conference “Life is Sacred” August 2-4, 2016
Free Conference • CEU’s Available Featured Speakers: • Agnes Baker Pilgrim, Tkelma Siletz International Council of Thirteen Indigenous Grandmothers
Featuring a Youth Track!
• Don Coyhis, Mohican Nation Founder/President of White Bison, Inc. Conference will be held at Red Lion Inn on the River at Jantzen Beach 909 N. Hayden Island Dr. Portland, OR 97217 For more information call 503.224.1044 7
Native American Rehabiliation Asssociation of the Northwest, Inc. 1776 SW Madison Portland, OR 97205 Phone: 503.224.1044 www.naranorthwest.org
Join our Team NARA values its employees and their connection our mission. Our agency is fully committed to supporting sobriety and as such it is a requirement that all new hires agree to model non-drinking, no-illicit drug use or prescription drug abuse behavior. NARA requires a minimum of two years sobriety/clean time if in recovery and all potential hires are required to pass a pre-employment (post-offer) drug screen and criminal background check. To apply for all positions: Respond to jobs@naranorthwest.org with your cover letter, resume, & salary requirements or fax to 503-224-4494. Check out our job postings on our Employment page at www.naranorthwest.org.
JOB OPENINGS: • Physician (Family Medicine) • Mental Health Clinical Supervisor • Prenatal/Perinatal Community Health Case Manager • Dental Billing Specialist • In Home Safety & Reunification Specialist • Youth Alcohol & Drug Counselor • Alcohol & Drug Counselor • Family ACT Vocational Specialist • Mental Health Therapist - Youth • QMHP Case Manager • Gambling Addictions Treatment Counselor • Tribal Outreach Specialist • Registered Nurse • On Call Residential Assistant • Cook - On Call • ACT CADC Case Manager • BCCP Program Manager • Youth Program Outreach Worker