Health and Human Services
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Tribal Self-Governance
OnJune29, 1994ameetingoftribal
representatives, Portland, was held
to discuss and review a Report of
the Indian Health Service Quality
Management Workgroup findings
on Restructuring of IHS. The
workgroup concentrated its
attention on the pressures that have
great potential for affecting the
future structure of the IHS such as
the President's proposed National
Health Security Act, the Vice
President's National Performance
Review and the increased interest
among tribes to operate their own
health programs.
The Report addressed five major
relevant issue areas: Tribal
Consultation for Long-term
Restructuring, Impact of
Administrative Cost Reductions,
Options (management databases)
Analysis, Inherent Federal
Functions, and Employee Options
were targeted as subgroup tasks to
provide concentrated,
comprehensive assessments in
Dental Clinic Digest
Let s Talk Teeth...And More!
by Linda Mann RDH
Floride... A Rat Poison???
NO! I Many people are leery of
using fluoride for various reasons.
This month I want to share with you
facts on fluoride. Fluoride is a vital
nutrients your body needs for good
health. Fluoride has been proven to
be the single most effective weapon
against cavities. How does fluoride
protect your teeth? Fluoride
combines with enamel making your
teeth stronger and more resistant to
decay. Where do we get fluoride?
Unfortunately the Grand Ronde
and Willamina community water
supply does not have naturally
occurring fluoride in the water nor
does it add any to it (Sheridan's
water supply is fluoridated) For this
reason people living in the Grand
Ronde area must receive their
fluoride in other ways. There are a
variety of ways you and your family
can get the protection of fluoride.
1. Fluoride tablets or drops.
Fluoride supplements should be
taken from birth until about age
thirteen. This is the period of time
that the baby teeth and the adult
teeth are forming. Fluoride
supplements must be prescribed by
your dentist
2. Fluoride mouthrinses.
Many schools (including the Grand
Ronde Elementary school) provide
weekly fluoride mouthrinsing.
Studies show these types of
programs can help reduce decay by
about 30.
3. Fluoride toothpaste.
regard to recommended
restructuring processes, action items
and policy positions.
The tribal representatives at this
meeting expressed their concerns
about the Report stating; that all
tribes' across the nation should
review this document and provide
comment prior to submittal to any
policy entity, that the issue of the re
programming of IHS dollars to the
tribes' has not been resolved, and
made the request to IHS that the
work groups should be lead by a
tribal representative versus MS.
James Floyd, Area Director Portland
IHS, states; "this is a time of
opportunity for the Tribes' to focus
on services, and of supporting
people's needs for the future versus
wants for the past, by seriously
thinking of the common good versus
individual agendas.
Self- Governance will be discussed
further at the NW Indian Health
Board meeting in July.
Check and make sure the
toothpaste you and your family is
using has that ADA seal of
acceptance for containing fluoride.
Fluoride toothpastes should be
used daily. Fluoride does not prevent
tooth decay. It is important to brush,
floss, and see your dentist regularly.
However the use of fluoride can
give you and your children the added
step of protection you deserve.
SEEYOUATTHE POWWOW!!!
For the first time in the history
of the Grand Ronde POW-WOW,
the Tribal Dental Clinic will be
sponsoring a dental awareness
booth. We have puppet shows
planned for the kids. "Consumer's
Choice" events for the adults, and
dental screenings will be offered to
all who wish to receive one. Please
stop by and say "Hi", we look forward
to meeting you.
Please note. There will be no
Emergency Walk-in Clinic August 8
thru 12; hygiene care will continue
to be provided. Questions? Call
Lydiaat(503)879-2020.
A If
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TRIBAL FAMILY ACTION PROGRAM
The Tribal Family Action Program is expanding and changes are
occurring that the staff would like
IVe'il publish a series of articles on
program;
Theron Ruiz-Treatment Coord.
Mychal Childers-Caseworker
Darrel Kipp- Caseworker
Joann Mercier-Caseworker
Carmen Merder-JOBS Coord.
John Fraser-Foster Care Coord.
Pom Warren-TFAP Secretary
Office Number: 503-879-2034 or
Tribe will assume BIA transition
The Grand Ronde Tribe beginning October 1 , 1 994 will be asuming the
Bureau of Indian Affairs GA Program that serves the Grand Ronde Tribal
members. The GA program will incur some changes in its operations;
checks will be processed by the Tribe and the Tribe will add the GA Tribal
Work Experience Program no offered by Siletz BIA. It's envisioned that the
GA program will become part of the Human Services Division integrated
service plan. Through the integrated approach participants will have
greater access to other tribal program resources. Current clients of the
program will be notified by the Siletz BIA Agency of the transition. In the
Employmentand Training
TribalAFSJobs
Are you eligible for the Tribal Jobs
Program?
If you are a tribal member who has
applied or are receiving AFDC
assistance, and if you live in the
tribal six county service area, you
may be eligible to participate in the
JOBS program.
To become a participant, tell you
AFDC Caseworker that you are a
member of the Grand Ronde Tribe
and that you would like to
participate in the Tribal AFS JOBS
program. Your Caseworker will then
notify us.
Finding the right job takes time:
C .IS
to make Tribal members aware of.
U beginning with who works in this
toll free 1-800-775-0095.
The Tribal JOBS program will assist
you in getting the following types of
help:
Education Assistance High
SchoolGED
Basic and Remedial education to
provide individuals with basic
literacy level
Job skills training:vocational
training
Job readiness: Lifeskills Ed
Job development and placement
Referrals: To JTPA
Contact: For more information on
the JOBS program contact Carmen
Mercier at 1 -800-775-0095 or 503-
879-2034.
i -v i - & v. sir;
Summer fun and
safety are a must
School is out and you're ready for
play and fun. I would like to take this
time to remind you of some safety
pointers so that you may prevent
some accidents and injuries.
WATER SAFETY: Always swim
with a buddy-swim where mere is a
lifeguard and obey himher and the
rules. Never bring sharp objects or
glass into the water. Always wear a
life preserver in a boat
BICYCLE SAFETY: Alwaysweara
helmet Signal before turning. Use
a bicycle basket to carry things in.
Obey traffic signs. Ride single file.
If using a water bottle be sure it is
easy to reach.
POISON SAFETY: Recognize and
stay away from detergents and
cleaners. Avoid chewing on plants
and unknown berries. Dont drink
water from creeks and lakes. Stay
away from hazardous materials.
HOME SAFETY: Keep front door
shut to strangers. If the phone rings
take messages and never say you
are alone. Dont play with matches.
If you hear a smoke detector go
outside. Practice family fire drills. If
your clothes catch on fire do the
stop, drop and roll. Dont use stove
or electrical appliances without an
adult present. Never take
medications unless, a trusted adult
gives them to you. Use your seat
belt when in an automobile. Learn
how to dial 911 in an emergency.
REMEMBER- when you are at a
family gathering to be sure and let
your parents know where you are at
all times. Help watch younger
children. Always tell an adult if
something is wrong. Have a great
summer and remember the safety
pointers!
Contract Health news
The Contract Health Services
Department ispleased to announce
thatPeggyBierydeliveredahappy,
healthy baby boy, Dreyvan
ThomasBiery, Juh5, 1994. Peggy
will be out of the office for a few
months getting acquainted with
her new baby. WhilePegglyison
leave, we are pleased to have
Yvonne Hoopingamer filling in
for her. Yvonne will be helping
CHS by taking phone calls and
assisting with clerical duties. So
you may, from time to time, speak
to Yvonne when you call CHS,
please feel free to leave your
messages with her and one of the
CHS Specialist will call you back.
REMINDER: If youhave questions
concerning the Oregon Health
Plan, please direct them to Barbara,
Jackie, Teri, or Mary in the Health
Department. The Telephone
number l-800-775-0095or503-79-2000.