@NAHC The Supreme Court ruled the Affordable Care Act as constitutional in late June as many people celebrated the idea that in 2014, uninsured people will have newly created access to health insurance. At NAHC, where we believe health care is a right and not a privilege, we are preparing for this new law to take effect in the midst of much uncertainty. The U.S. economy and the 2012 election are two large factors to consider, as well as how California is cur- rently implementing this law. The whole health care model is changing, nationwide. This means, NAHC is also changing to meet the needs of our patients and comply with this law that we fully support. We started this work about a year ago: As an organization, we asked our employees what they care about (their values) at work and at home. We surveyed over 100 staff whose responses translated into 7 values that guide our work as an agency: • Community • Teamwork • Tradition • Integrity • Service • Responsibility • Learning Through this interactive work with staff, we realized that no matter how much the outside world changes, we hold these values and let them guide us as we move through the unknowns. After we defined our values, we set up four poles that hold up our work and set the foundation along with our values: 1. Quality of Service 2. Operational Processes 3. Workplace of Choice 4. Clinic of Choice We realized we have to become as our Chief of Operations, Ana O’Connor, says, “a business with a heart.” This means we hold our patients’ needs as the center of all we do and have sound and healthy processes that NAHC’s Response to the Affordable Care Act By, Sandra Tavel Grants and Contracts Administrator enable us to provide quality services. Some of our agen- cy goals include strategic planning and accreditation. Strategic planning is a fancy word for a roadmap that takes you where you want to go. We have already begun creating goals and objectives within each department that will create an overall agency work plan that will be reviewed quarterly to see if we are meeting the goals when we said we would. We are moving toward a patient- centered-health-home model aimed at making our patients the very center of our care (click to see enlarged image): Another item we are preparing for is accreditation. Accreditation for clinics means that an outside, authoritative body has deemed that we meet a certain standard. This means peace of mind for our patients that they are indeed receiving the best possible services. It also places NAHC in a favorable position for insurance plans to contract with and receive reimbursement for providing services. Lastly, everyone is working on access and capacity. This means, all departments are asking themselves if it’s easy for patients to get to us—can they find us; call us; and reach us to get what they need? Do our patients know what our services are and whom to contact? These might seem like simple, obvious questions—and they matter. Health care reform—which is called the Afford- able Care Act—is an exciting, positive law aimed at providing access to all uninsured people without health care. As an agency, we are really exploring and actively changing how we do things to meet our patients’ needs and to thrive into 2014 and beyond. Resources on the Affordable Care Act can be found here: http://www.healthcare.gov/law/resources/ca.html
Transcript
@NAHCThe Supreme Court ruled the Affordable Care Act as constitutional in late June as many people celebrated the idea that in 2014, uninsured people will have newly created access to health insurance. At NAHC, where we believe health care is a right and not a privilege, we are preparing for this new law to take effect in the midst of much uncertainty. The U.S. economy and the 2012 election are two large factors to consider, as well as how California is cur-rently implementing this law. The whole health care model is changing, nationwide. This means, NAHC is also changing to meet the needs of our patients and comply with this law that we fully support. We started this work about a year ago:
As an organization, we asked our employees what they care about (their values) at work and at home. We surveyed over 100 staff whose responses translated into 7 values that guide our work as an agency:
• Community
• Teamwork
• Tradition
• Integrity
• Service
• Responsibility
• Learning
Through this interactive work with staff, we realized that no matter how much the outside world changes, we hold these values and let them guide us as we move through the unknowns. After we defined our values, we set up four poles that hold up our work and set the foundation along with our values:
1. Quality of Service
2. Operational Processes
3. Workplace of Choice
4. Clinic of Choice
We realized we have to become as our Chief of Operations, Ana O’Connor, says, “a business with a heart.” This means we hold our patients’ needs as the center of all we do and have sound and healthy processes that
NAHC’s Response to the Affordable Care ActBy, Sandra TavelGrants and Contracts Administrator
enable us to provide quality services. Some of our agen-cy goals include strategic planning and accreditation. Strategic planning is a fancy word for a roadmap that takes you where you want to go. We have already begun creating goals and objectives within each department that will create an overall agency work plan that will be reviewed quarterly to see if we are meeting the goals when we said we would. We are moving toward a patient- centered-health-home model aimed at making our patients the very center of our care (click to see enlarged image):
Another item we are preparing for is accreditation. Accreditation for clinics means that an outside, authoritative body has deemed that we meet a certain standard. This means peace of mind for our patients that they are indeed receiving the best possible services. It also places NAHC in a favorable position for insurance plans to contract with and receive reimbursement for providing services.
Lastly,everyoneisworkingonaccessandcapacity.Thismeans, all departments are asking themselves if it’s easy for patients to get to us—can they find us; call us; and reach us to get what they need? Do our patients know what our services are and whom to contact? These might seem like simple, obvious questions—and they matter.
Health care reform—which is called the Afford-able Care Act—is an exciting, positive law aimed at providing access to all uninsured people without health care. As an agency, we are really exploring and actively changing how we do things to meet our patients’ needs and to thrive into 2014 and beyond. ResourcesontheAffordableCareActcanbefoundhere:http://www.healthcare.gov/law/resources/ca.html
HRBuzz
New Faces @NAHCWelcome to the Native American Health Center!
September AnniversariesThank you for your work!
Employee Assistance Program By:NatalieAguilera,DirectorofHumanResources
NAHC would like to support employees in their wellness efforts and looks forward to expanding wellness resources available to staff. One program currently offered by NAHC is the Employee Assistance Program (EAP). EAP is designed to provide balance between your personal and work life. When you have questions, concerns or emotional issues surrounding either your personal or work life, there are resources to help you. You have unlimited access to consultants by phone, resources and tools online, and up to three face-to-face visits with counselors for help with a short-term problem.
Your wellbeing, productiveness and happiness depend on balancing your life at home and your lifeatwork.It’sdifficulttobeontaskatyourjobif you’re worried about problems at home; and you can’t devote sufficient time to yourself and your family if you’re feeling overwhelmed by the de-mands of the job.
EAP can assist in, but is not limited to the following areas: health, emotional well-being, Addiction&Recovery,Parenting&Childcare, Education,Retirement,Financial,Legal,ManagingPeople,andEverydayWorkIssues.
The EAP is free and can be accessed 24 hours a day:1-800-854-1446: English1-877-858-2147: Spanishwww.lifebalance.net; userIDandpassword:lifebalance
Ifyouareinterestedonbeingapartofacommitteethat focuses on Employee Wellness or if you have any questions concerning the EAP program, please contactamemberoftheHumanResources [email protected]
Lorena C. Rivera Central Registration 9/10/2010 2 years
Nicole A. Hilts Oakland Medical 9/11/2003 9 years
Jessica A. Gutierrez Oakland Medical 9/12/2011 1 year
Jason Ching Oakland Dental 9/14/2011 1 year
Valerie N. Black Calf CWD 9/19/2011 1 year
Jordan S. Paul CWD 9/19/2011 1 year
Ronni E. Brown-‐Kimbrew SF Dental 9/21/2007 5 years
Kathryn Budd CWD 9/24/2007 5 years
Courtney M. Cummings CWD 9/26/2009 3 years
Patricia C. Want Admin 9/6/2005 7 years
Laree T. Wilson Oakland Dental 9/8/2011 1 year
David Lichtenstein Admin 9/9/2011 1 year
Celebrating California Indian DayBy:TommyOrange,MultimediaManager
California Indian Day is on September 28th thisyear, and, while it is nice that we get a paid day off, it’s important to take a moment to appreciate California Tribes, and the people whose land we are on.
The celebration of Native American/American IndianandAlaskanNativeHeritage(howandwhento celebrate) is something not entirely agreed upon. (Like so many issues in our communities, with good reasonofcourse)Forinstance,whilethereisaCalifornia Native American Day website, it is not a day the State of California, or the Country observes - or, at least, never in my experience have I heard the day mentioned aside from while working at NAHC. This is true even though in 1968, Ronald Reagan signed a resolutioncallingforaholidaycalledAmericanIndianDay, to be held the fourth Friday in September. Thisis true even though in 1998, the California Assembly passed AB 1953, which made Native American Day an officialstateholiday.But,likeIsaid,I’vestillneverheardof anyone acknowledging it, observing it, or even talk-ingaboutit.Instead,whatI’veseenisthatwewaitafewweeks, and we join the rest of the Nation in celebrating Columbus.
Name Department Start Date Years of Service
Lorena C. Rivera Central Registration 9/10/2010 2 years
Nicole A. Hilts Oakland Medical 9/11/2003 9 years
Jessica A. Gutierrez Oakland Medical 9/12/2011 1 year
Jason Ching Oakland Dental 9/14/2011 1 year
Valerie N. Black Calf CWD 9/19/2011 1 year
Jordan S. Paul CWD 9/19/2011 1 year
Ronni E. Brown-‐Kimbrew SF Dental 9/21/2007 5 years
Kathryn Budd CWD 9/24/2007 5 years
Courtney M. Cummings CWD 9/26/2009 3 years
Patricia C. Want Admin 9/6/2005 7 years
Laree T. Wilson Oakland Dental 9/8/2011 1 year
David Lichtenstein Admin 9/9/2011 1 year
Recently the Native American Health Center hasbeen making efforts to acknowledge and engage with California Tribes. On August 18th, NAHC staff visited up North (Klamath, CA) for the Yurok Tribe’s Annual Salmon Festival. NAHC had a table out for Healing Circle (our CA technical assistance grant) outreach, and fortheNativeYouthWellnessInitiative(NYWI),whichis a Native Youth Suicide Prevention grant. One of the requirements for this grant is to have (at least) 500 Native California Youth watch a Suicide Prevention Video that was created and produced by ourYouthFellows(TheyarepartoftheNYWITeam).The Yurok Tribe’s presence was strong, full of pride, tradition, and an openness to our staff, and to all who attendedtheSalmonFestival.Alldaytheyouthplayedstick games, and vendors filled the field just outside of the Yurok Community Center. The sun came out around 1pm after burning off the fog of the morning, and everyone went home happy, and full. OnOctober5th,theNYWIteamwillreturntoKlamathCA, for the beginning of a youth exchange with the in-tent to unify and strengthen the relationship between ReservationandUrbanNativeYouth.
If you’re not sure how to celebrate California IndianDay on September 28th (besides just doing whatever you want on your day off), September 8th is Ohlone DayinFelton,CA(NearSantaCruz),andtherewillbea celebration of the Ohlone people with Traditional Ohlone dancers, basketry, songs, stories, games, and food.Noplans thisweekend?Headdown to Felton,CA.
The main entrance to Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park is located off of Highway 9 in Felton at 101 Big Trees Park Rd Felton, CA 95018. This event is appropriate for all ages. More information is available at (831)335-7077.
Slaughter by the Water III A Smashing Success By: Nadine Arqueza, CommunityServicesProgramIntern
The third annual Slaughter by the Water (SBW) concert held on August 25, 2012 aboard the USS Hornet Aircraft Carrier on Alameda’s Pier 33 was a smashing success, a daylong event marking the beginning of a beautiful and somewhat unlikely partnership between the Bay Area Native American community and a heavy metal concert. The NAHC and the SBW production team became acquainted only four months ago according to NAHC Events Coordinator Jordan Skye-Paul and SBW chief marketing officer Nicholas Gomez (Costaoen and Papago). The relationship which blossomed due to mutual passion for cultivating meaningful change through the talents and services of up-and-coming Native entrepreneurs and nonprofit organizations.
Slaughter by the Water drew an estimated crowd of 1,500, composed of diehard metal fans to first timers, generating substantial visibility for NAHC’s Native Youth Wellness Initiative: a holistic suicide prevention effort providing health care, therapy, and personal support for at risk teens. NAHC youth screened a heartfelt video onstage and at NAHC’s main booth, a performance that moved some in the
crowd to tears. NAHC’s Youth Services Program was accompaniedbytheHIVpreventionprogram,whichoffered free testing and safe sex packets, and the Youth FellowsProgram,which successfully raised funds tosupport talented youth in pursuit of higher education.
Alongside raising awareness of NAHC’s mission to sustain meaningful change in our communi-ty, Slaughter by the Water provided fifteen rising native nonprofits and entrepreneurs a valuable promotion platform, from the Whole Heart Native Warmth Project: an organization partnering with Hearts of the Sacred Spirit to provide warm blanketstothePineRidgeIndianReservationinSouthDakota to Crystal Wahpepah’s delicious fry bread.
In addition to showcasing NAHC and upcoming native talent was Slaughter by the Water’s amazing performers. The bicycle powered stage, courtesyofRocktheBikeandhostedbyChuckBillyof Testament, was graced by the likes of Zombie Holo-caust,ScarsofEnvy,Mudface,Hemotoxin,Necrosin, Desecrater,andEnemyInPerilthroughtheafternoon. The evening’s chilly winds were fired up by the perfor-mancesofExodus,Philm,Autopsy,Absu,Impaled,Abys-malDawn,Witchaven,FogofWar,andSeveredFifth.
The NAHC staff, from youth to metal noo-bs like me, was moved in many ways by last Saturday’s on and off stage performances, from expanding our musical horizons to spreading NAHC’s mission to an increasingly diverse and younger generation. 2012 marks not only the third produc-tion of Slaughter by the Water, but NAHC’s 40th anniversary as an organization, accomplishments which herald an exciting realm possibility for expanding our organization, from maintaining our new founded partnership with Slaughter by the Wa-ter to brainstorming other exciting opportunities to enact the changes we wish to see in our community.
Rock the Native Vote!By:TommyOrange,MultimediaMangagerCommunity Wellness Department
The November Presidential Election is coming up in just 2 months, are you registered? Do you know who you’re going to vote for? What the important issues are for you district? Do you care?
Inthe2008election,over1MillioneligibleAmericanIndianorAlaskanNativesdidnotregistertovote.Forsome, in Native Communities, voting requires having a basic trust, or faith in the US Government, and with-out that basic trust or faith, voting can seem like just another empty gesture. But things aren’t as simple as not trusting, and just not participating, if we don’t speak forourselves,someonewillspeakforus.RecentlyIwastalking to a former staffmember, SeprieonoLocario,who now works in DC, and he said, “What they say on the hill is that if you’re not at the table, then you’re on themenu.”Wecan’tletthatbethecaseforus.ManyNative people are taking strong political positions, and actively fighting to address the disparity and specific needs of Native Communities all over the Country.
One such person is staff member Katherine Lewis’(Community Wellness Department Counselor) brother, LT.Gov.oftheGilaRiverTribe,StephenLewis.
Last week Mr. Lewis met with many other Native American leaders from across the country at the Democratic National Convention, where they discussed the importance of the Native vote, and many other matters effecting Indian Country today. “The important thing is the Native vote, that importance has been really showing more and more in certain raceswithinthelastthree,fourvotingcycles,”Mr.Lew-issaid.Mr.LewispointsoutthatObamaappointedNa-tive people to certain key administration posts, includ-ingDr.YvetteRoubideaux,amemberoftheRosebudSiouxTribe inSouthDakotaasheadof IndianHealth Services in 2009, and, he says, “Those departments that are critical to Indian issues and Indian Country,he’s put key members of Native American profession-als in those staff positions, for tribes working with the dFederalGovernment,thatgoessuchalongway.”
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This election year, 42% of Native people are under 25, and 1/2 of these people will be eligible for the first time for voter registration. Let’s encourage our young people toregister, and help them if they need help. Because in the end it’s not so much important how or who you vote for, but just that you decide to vote. September 24th through the 28th is Native Vote Action Week, and we will have HealthCenterstaffateachsiteduringtheweek(MondayinOakland,TuesdayinSF,andWednesdayinRichmond)tohelp anyone who needs help with the registration process. This event will also be a community and staff photoshoot, where participants will have the opportunity to express why they believe voting is important.
To register to vote online, there is a link from our website’s (www.nativehealth.org) homepage to www.nativevote.org, where they make the registration process simple and easy. Help get out the Native Vote!
(Stephen Roe Lewis and Katherine Lewis)
Date Class Details
Sept 6 Special Topic Nutrition BINGO!!!
Sept 13 Special Topic Diabetes Screening Day
Sept 20 Fitness Class Strength Training with DynaBands
Diabetes is an issue in our community and the earlier we catch it the better! Diabetes screening is a great way to catch diabetes in people who do not realize they have it. Please help us have a great turnout for the screening.
Meeting CongresswomanNancy Pelosi, 8th District of CABy:KellyCastel,IntakeCoordinatorCommunity Wellness Department
I thought I’d share this lovely pic that Cindy Blacksmith and Iwere fortunate to be a part of. We attended the 30th Annual CCC Consortium in which Nancy Pelosi was honored. She was gracious enough to spare us a few minutes of her time, and to share with us howshefoughttohaveaprovisionaddedtoHealthCareReformthatincludedtheIndianHealthService.Itwasahonortohavemetwithher.
Young Warriors Society Leadsa Prayer WalkBy: Dallas Wahpepah, Youth CoordinatorCommunity Wellness Department
The Native American Health Center’s Young Warrior’s Society group helped lead a 30 mile prayer walk on the Ohlone Trail which starts in the Del Valle RegionalParklocatedinLivermoreCa,andendsatMissionPeaksoftheFremonthills.Culturalconsultant/YouthWorkerRedhousePonchowhoco-organizedtheprayerwalk created a prayer staff; a spear made of obsidian, buffalo fur, white Oak, and prayer ties. Redhouse conveyed that “The staff represents protection, not to harm others with violence, but to protect against the evil forces of drugs, poverty, sickness, and alcoholism.”
At the beginning of the trail, we gathered in a circle; an intergenerational unification of men. Each fellow walker offered tobacco, and joined in signing ceremony songs to begin this sacred journey.
The Ohlone trail is one of rigorous terrain; starting with the Big Burn; an intensive five mile incline. Throughout this journey you are compelled to look within yourself to find strength. Each stride you are met with personal and groupchallenges.Inthefirstday,wecoveredsixteenmilesthen hiked 14 miles the following day. The resiliency, the
Get Yours Today!By: Bonney Hartley, Community Services Program DirectorCommunity Wellness Department
We recently released our 1st edition of a CWD Native Foods Resource Guide! This is a guide withinfo we gathered to provide CWD staff with pricing lists and order info for Native-owned food businesses nationally we can purchase from, names and menus of local Native food caterers and presenters, and Native foods recipe resources.
Onthefenceaboutusingit?LauraCedillofromHIVProgram provides the following testimonial: “We’ve been enjoying the mouthwatering salmon ordered from Taku smokeries and corn mush flour from the Oneidacannery.Ilikethatweareeatinghealthywhilesupporting Native vendors.”
If you’re interested in receiving a copy outside of the Community Wellness Department, contact Lina Blanco at [email protected] and we will provide you with a copy!
Native FoodsResource Guide
commitment exhibited by the young men to their prayer is inspiring to say the least. Throughout the day your equipment increasingly gets heavier yet faith within prayer strengthens the spirit and mind even more; surpassing any physical hardships.
The staff was carried by each brother, sometimes to give spiritual strength to those who struggled. When you see a young man pick up his peer or mentor who is having a hard time and carry his Backpack; it leaves an impression that can’t be forgotten. That act of love makes you want to helpothersevenmore.AndwhenIhearan18yearoldtellhis peer to “keep praying, remember who you are praying for” those encouraging words flourish a beautiful feeling of hope and happiness.
At the end of our prayer walk heading down mission Peak, Young Men’s group member Jason Hoffman carried thestaff to our destination. An overall glow of relief emitted fromJason’ssmile, laterhewouldexpressthat“attimes I struggledduring thewalk, I trailed the group throughoutourhike,yetI’mtheonethatbroughtinthestaff.”
IencouragemyfellowNAHCco-workerstocontinuesupporting our Native youth, especially with their traditions andculture.ForitisavitalpartofourlivesasIndianPeopleand is an essential form of intervention for our youth.
The Young Warrior’s Society meets every Thursday from 5pm-8pm in the Youth Services Department at 3124 International Boulevard in Oakland, California.
