NOTICES
Agencies Agree to Improve Health
Care for Veterans
Rural American Indians and Alaska Natives who served in the military will
receive enhanced medical care as a result of a new agreement by the Department
of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Health and Human Services.
Secretary ofVeterans Affairs Anthony J. Principi and Secretary of Health and
Human Services Tommy G. Thompson recently announced a formal agreement
that will encourage cooperation and resource sharing between the two agencies
to make sure American Indians or Alaska Native veterans receive quality
health care.
“VA and HHS are setting the stage for an ongoing collaboration to provide
optimal health care for more than 165,000 American Indian and Alaska Native
veterans,” Principi said. ‘‘We are combining our strengths and expertise to improve
health care for these veterans, particularly to increase access and enhance services.”
While there have been localized efforts between VA health care facilities and
Indian Health Service (IHS) clinics in the past, this agreement will encourage
additional agency-wide cooperation, affecting all Indian nations.
“Our two departments have a history of working together to care for America’s
veterans and underserved communities,” Thompson said. “Under this new
agreement, the Indian Health Service and VA will work to improve health care for
our American Indian and Alaska Native veterans by sharing information,
developing health promotion programs and allowing for joint appointments,
financial reimbursements, and provider certification.”
VA Deputy Secretary Dr. Leo S. Mackay Jr. and HHS Deputy Secretary Claude
A. Allen formally signed the memorandum of understanding in February at the
National Congress of American Indians winter session in Washington, D.C.
In addition, the agreement between VA and HHS will improve communication
between the agencies and tribal governments and create opportunities to develop
strategies for sharing information and information technology. The technology
sharing will include VA’s electronic medical record system, barcode medication
administration and telemedicine. VA and IHS will co-sponsor continuing medical
training for their health care staffs.
VA operates the largest integrated health care system in the United States,
providing a broad spectrum of medical, surgical and rehabilitative care for veterans.
Nearly 4.3 million veterans received care in VA health care facilities in 2002.
The mission of the Indian Health Service, an agency within the Department
of Health and Human Services, is to raise the physical, mental, and spiritual health
of American Indians and Alaska Natives to the highest levels. The IHS operates a
comprehensive health service delivery system for approximately 1.6 million
members of federally recognized American Indian and Alaska Native tribes.
Siletz Valley Partnership
Incentives Available at Meetings
The Siletz Valley Partnership has a limited amount of incentives for residents
of Siletz Tribal housing (one per adult member and one for each child in family)
who attend and share at the following meetings (for more info: 541-444-8342):
City Council: Second Monday of each month, 7:30 p.m. - City Hall
Work Sessions: Fourth Monday of each month, 6:30 p.m. - City Hall
Siletz Park & Rec.: Third Tuesday of each month, 7 p.m. - City Hall
Siletz Valley Partnership: Fourth Monday of each month, 7 p.m. - Grange
Friends of the Siletz Library: Third Thursday of each month, 7 p.m. - City Hall
For more information or to sign up for Friends of the Siletz Library, visit the
library. Hours are Wednesdays 9:30 a.m. - 8 p.m., Thursdays 9:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
and 6 p.m. - 8 p.m., Fridays 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., and Saturdays 9:30 a.m. - 3 p.m., or
call 541-444-2855, or e-mail siletz@mail.crsn.lib.or.us.
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Siletz News
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April 2003
Registration Open for Paddle
Oregon 2003
This year’s Paddle Oregon canoe
and kayak voyage will travel some 119
miles from Marshall Island Access
outside Eugene, Ore., to Newberg,
Ore. It will take place on
Sept. 8-12, 2003.
Paddle
Oregon
provides
all
trip
logistics,
catered
food,
luggage
shuttle,
naturalists,
guest speakers in the evenings,
entertainment, and opportunities to
learn how to paddle canoes and kayaks.
Paddle Oregon is an annual event
of Willamette Riverkeeper, an
organization that works on water
quality and habitat in the Willamette
River Basin. This is the third annual trip
and in the past two years, more than
250 people have participated.
Participants camp on private land
along the river, in county parks, and the
wonderful Oregon State Park of
Willamette Mission. Paddle Oregon
provides a great opportunity to learn
about the river and its wildlife, the
Willamette’s history, and allows
participants to see the many parks and
greenways along its route.
“We get people on the Willamette
to experience it,
and to learn
about it over
five days. It is
a fantastic
opportunity
for people
interested
in the river,
and in pad
dlingcanoes
and kayaks, to get out there,” said Travis
Williams, executive director of
Willamette Riverkeeper.
Paddle Oregon is one of the only
trips of its kind in the country. Paddlers
need experience on moving water.
Paddle Oregon has an emphasis on river
education and experience. The cost for
this year’s adventure is $425.
The trip is limited to the first
150 people, so early registration is
encouraged to ensure a spot. For
a registration packet, go to
www.paddleoregon.org or call
503-223-6418.
Join River City Track Club
Become part of the Portland area’s best youth track and field and cross-country
organization. The RCTC was voted USATF-Oregon best youth club of the year
for 2000 and includes the 2001 USATF-Oregon athlete of the year.
We’re the Portland area’s only youth organization to offer three full seasons
for your athlete to enjoy:
Outdoor Track and Field (March - July)
Cross-Country (August - November)
Indoor Track and Field (December -
February)
Athletes age 7-18 and of all abilities are welcome. Limited slots are available
so inquire now for the spring track and field season. For additional info, call
503-735-0290 or e-mail rctcpdx@aol.com. Volunteer coaches also are needed.
Featured Coaches
Distance
Sprints
Andy Wedam - Is' Place,
2002 Capital City Marathon
Robert Curry - National AAU Sprint
Champion, 3X 4A high school 100M,
200M champion
Middle Distance
Throws
Dave Clingan - Masters Ranking
10,h in world @ 800M
Julie Stevens - coached 2002 Track
City International shot put champion