Get To Know Your Community Health Representatives!
By Tracy Olson
Community Health Representatives (CHR) provide
valuable services to tribal members and the Grand Ronde
community. They have numerous responsibilities in the
tribal health department that are meant to benefit elders as
well as youth.
CHRs provide health services to all tribal members
such as HIV testing, blood pressure screening, diabetes and
nutrition counseling, stress management, and Tuberculosis
tests. They also provide medical and dental transports,
coordinate wellness and prevention activities (Teen Sober
Dance, Baby Fair), and work with Alcohol and Drug and
Mental Health.
Grand Ronde Community Health Representatives
are Bonnie Martin, Wellness Coordinator, Linda Smith, and
Jim Holmes.
the transport system, but we
are putting more time into
wellness activities and
prevention. . .not justfocus on
transport."
Linda Smith
concentrates a lot on fitness
and exercise for tribal
members. She plans exercise
classes, diets, and researches
new recipes for tribal
members who must watch
their diet or are trying to lose
weight. "I work a lot with
Gunny's Gym and their train-
If you need to visit your physician, but have
no transportation, the CHRs may be able to
assistyou.
All of these tribal employees not only arrange .
appointments, but they plan and execute health and wellness
activities within the community.
The Tribe has three leased vehicles which are used
to transport tribal members to their medical and dental
transport. The patient must be a Grand Ronde tribal
member, reside in the 6-county service area, and must be
unable to drive or without a vehicle. Groups who are
attending tribal health functions are also eligible. If you need
to visit your physician and have no transportation, the Tribe
may be able to assist you if you meet the above criteria. The
service area counties are: Polk, Yamhill, Multnomah, Marion,
Tillamook, and Washington.
The CHRs are currently attempting, however, to
focus their work more on community wellness more than
anything. Said Jim Holmes, "We want people to be aware of
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CHRs sponsor many activities: here, Bonnie at
the Elders' brunch
ers," she said. I have learned
so much from them about
exercise and fitness."
They go to the homes of tribal members who arc expecting
a baby, elderly, or feeling ill and talk with them about their
medical needs and any worries they may have. As Linda
commented, it is difficult sometimes not to get involved in
the lives of the people they visit.
"Flora Llaneza was an elderly woman I visited
frequently. When she passed away, her family called to tell
me how much she appreciated those Home Visits," she said.
Bonnie Martin, who began working for the Tribe as
a nurse's assistant nine years ago, has witnessed the Tribe's
development through many critical stages. Still, her hopes
for the wellness of the community are great.
"I would like to see the completion of a Human
Services clinic on the reservation," she said. "But I mostly
want to promote healthy life-styles for tribal families and
encourage parental involvementintheirchildren'sactivities."
The CHRs spend a lot of time with the elders and
their programs: Elder's Mealsite and Senior Services.
However, they also work with Alcohol and Drug in planning
prevention activities. "Prevention activities are aimed at
youth," said Jim. "They encourage sobriety and making
smart decisions."
Linda and Vernon Kennedy worked to organize
Community Roller Skating at St. Michael's church recently.
The kids really enjoy it, and hopefully it will continue for a
long time.
They also sponsor Summer Youth Camp and
afterschool sports such as basketball.
Being a Community Health Representative is a
busy job which involves serious commitment The CHRs
working for the Tribe not only have to be organized, they
have to care about people and their needs.
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Serving at the Elders' Brunch
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