Andrew Eddings: Lessons in self-advocacy
By Diane Rodriquez
Andrew Eddings has been through it,
“used to be an active alcoholic and drug
addict” is how he put it. This makes his cur-
rent position as a Tribal peer recovery men-
tor the perfect one because he knows what
it takes to come out the other side clean and
sober, which he’s been since 2008.
Andrew has used tribal programs for
different things, including the Adult Voca-
tional Training program to pay for books
for a carpentry apprenticeship and truck
driving school, the 477 Self-Sufficiency
Program for General Assistance funding
and the Alcohol & Drug Program for
counseling.
He’s had several jobs in his career,
many of which involved helping tribal
members, including transporting people
for medical appointments and serving
as the first house manager of the men’s
transitional living center in Siletz.
Andrew eventually was referred to
training to become a peer recovery men-
tor. This is a 10-month process, followed
by a practicum.
He moved to Portland to do the
practicum at NARA through the tribe’s
WEX program. NARA (Native Ameri-
can Rehabilitation Association) provides
education, physical and mental health
services and substance abuse treatment
to American Indians and Alaska Natives.
A test followed the practicum and the
tribe’s Education program paid for online
practice testing, which paid off as Andrew
passed the test to become a certified alco-
hol & drug counselor. He then got a job
as a counselor at NARA, which eventually
led to his working as a liaison between
Oregon’s nine federally recognized tribes
and NARA.
Andrew worked at NARA until the
Siletz Tribe asked him to be a temporary
counselor this summer. The peer recovery
mentor position had just been created, so
he interviewed for it and started in this
mentor position in August, working at the
tribe’s Portland and Salem offices.
“I try to guide the clients I work with
to tribal services. I’ve been through what
Courtesy photo
Andrew Eddings
they’re going through, so I help them
identify and overcome barriers they have –
what’s preventing you from coming in?” he
said. “I’ll help them make contact with all
the services the tribe has to offer. Getting
into other programs can get them a bus
pass. Then they can get around on their
own. I guide them to being self-sufficient.”
His goal is to “help these people form
their recovery communities. If three people
have already come from Siletz and are stay-
ing in Portland, the next person who comes
in, I want to get them hooked up with each
other,” he said. “It empowers them as peers
to work with each other. I think the missing
part of A&D is that solid community. I help
nurture a healthy community.”
Andrew learned how to reach out and
ask for help. He wants others to learn to
do the same.
“I learned the lessons of self-advocacy,
at the same time reaching out for the help
that’s offered. Administrators of programs
present it to you to utilize and I wanted to
utilize them as opportunities,” he said. “I
would tell them that all the help is there to
get, it’s up to you to go get it. Once you’re
there, you’ll be guided to the next step. You
don’t have to do it all by yourself, but you
have to take the first step. Nobody can take
steps for you, but once you do take those
steps, you’ll have guidance.”
2018 funded orthodontic treatment screenings set, appointments needed
The 2018 Funded Orthodontic Treat-
ment Program is fast approaching! All
interested parties should contact the
dental department to be placed on a list.
The screening dates are April 16-17
and May 16-17, 2018. The program and
amount of accepted applicants will be
dependent on the funding for that year.
Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians
Tribal Maternal, Infant & Early Childhood Home Visiting Program
Naytlh - ‘a “We Carry the Children”
How has the Siletz Tribal Home Visiting Program helped you and your family
since participating?
“The home visiting program has helped prepare us for our new addition by letting us know what is to be
expected before and after the baby comes and how to best deal with certain situations that come up.”
– Andrea & Robert, 4 months in the program
“I’ve learned all the things I thought I should know that I did not know already with the help and support of
the program. Siletz Tribal Home Visiting Program helped me become a better mom.”
– Shyann, 1 year in the program
Applicants are selected by case sever-
ity, motivation of the patient and guardian,
reliable transportation, routine dental
checkups and the oral hygiene history of
the patient, to name a few. We want the
best results possible for the patient and
thus place emphasis on these items in
order to achieve it.
The unbiased selection process is
performed under the guidance of an
orthodontic specialist and participants are
chosen through a committee.
What to Do When
Nothing Works: Real
Solutions in Dementia Care
Hosted by CTGR Community Health
and NorthWest Senior & Disability Services
“I feel like Siletz Tribal home visits have helped me be more on track when it comes to my child’s development.
Home visits have also helped me keep a better schedule, helping my whole family.”
– Jennifer, 1 year and 9 months in the program
This free presentation is hosted by:
Joyce Beedle, RN, BSN, has more than 35 years of professional
experience and more than a decade of personal experience
working with caregivers of people with dementia. She wants
to help increase your understanding, reduce your frustration,
and provide new ideas for your current care concerns.
“Getting the help when you’re a new parent is life-saving, to know you are doing it right and if not, finding out
the right way.”
–Samantha, 1 year in the program
“The program has helped me to realize there are a lot of different ways to parent and there is always help if you
are willing to look for it. The Siletz Home Visiting Program has helped make my life a little simpler just
knowing I have resources to help me be the best mom I can be.”
– Chandra, 1 year and 10 months in the program
“The Siletz Home Visiting Program has helped me with my child’s growth, my motivation with being a parent
and I’ve also established a friendship.”
– Britnee, 1 year and 8 months in the program
“Home Visiting Program helped us better understand the developmental milestones that our child is at and
also the reassurance that each child is unique and not to be worried. The program has been helpful,
especially with different resources also.”
– Ale & Seth, 1 year and 1 month in the program
“As a first-time mom, Siletz Home Visiting Program has been a good addition to my support system, not
only emotionally, but also mentally.”
-Janet, 1 year and 1 month in the program
When:
Thursday, January 18, 2018 — 11:30- 4 p.m.
Where:
Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde - Tribal Gym
9615 Grand Ronde Rd, Grand Ronde, OR 97347
Who:
Family, friends, and caregivers of people who
experience Alzheimer’s and other dementias
RSVP:
Confederated Tribes of Grande Ronde Community Health
(503) 879-2078
Amy Crevola, NWSDS Family Caregiver Support
(503) 606-7620
Other
This is a free event with door-prize drawings.
Info:
Lunch will be served before Joyce’s talk .
If you are interested in or have any questions about our Siletz Tribal Home Visiting Program,
please call Jessica Phillips, Program Coordinator, at 541-484- 4234.
10
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Siletz News
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January 2018
This is open to all ages who are CHS-
eligible only. You must have a scheduled
screening appointment during one of the
four screening days to be considered.
Each year’s selection process is inde-
pendent from previous years and does not
carry over. Selected and treated individu-
als can only be selected once for the dura-
tion of the program. All applicants will be
notified by mail if they have been chosen.
Please contact the Siletz Dental
Clinic at 541-444-9681 or 800-648-0449,
ext. 1681, to be put on the list.