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About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (May 1, 1998)
May 1, 1998 Health and Family 3 Health insurance open enrollment Pharmacy open During the past year we have been enrolling tribal members into a health insurance program sponsored by the Tribe. We are now offering vision and dental insurance, in addition to the ODS medical plan. We are giving tribal members the option of enrolling in: the medical plan only (which includes vision coverage); or the dental plan only; or both the medical and dental plan. We are enrolling Tribal members now for our next start date of July 1, 1998. If you want to enroll in either or both of the Tribal Health Plans, please call Valorie Sheker at the Risk Management Department to get your enroll ment packet (503) 879-2221 or 1-800-442-0346. If you get our voice mail: please leave your name, telephone number with area code, and correct ad dress with zip code so we can send you the correct coverage information for your location. Please let us know if you are interested in signing up for one or both of the health insurance coverages. If you are interested in enrolling into one or both of the plans for a 7198 start date, we will need to receive your application by Monday June 15, 1998. APPLICATIONS RECEIVED LATER THAN 61598 WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. Please remember: 1. You need to make a call to the number listed above to get an enroll ment packet. 2. Every tribal member gets their own plan, including enrolled de pendent children. 3. If you are participating in a government-subsidized program, en rolling in these health plans could jeopardize your benefits, please call our office for assistance and clarification in this matter. 4. If you decline to enroll now, you will still be able to enroll during future "open enrollment" periods. After July 1, 1998, our next open enrollment period would be the fall of 1998 for benefits beginning January 1, 1999. For information regarding medical, vision, and dental insurance cover age available to any tribal member, please call Valorie Sheker in the Risk Management Department at 879-2221 or 1-800-442-0346. Many tribal members still may not be aware that the Tribe now has its own pharmacy. The pharmacy is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and is also avail able for after hour and weekend emergencies. For those tribal members that do not receive their care at the Tribal Medical Center, we can still fill your prescriptions. You can either mail us your prescriptions from the doc tor or have the doctor call us with new prescriptions. We will then mail your prescriptions to you. In most cases, prescriptions will get to you the next day, sometimes two days. However, it is always better to give us at least one week. When it's time for a refill just call us and we will mail it out! If you have any questions, give Julie or Faith a call at (503) 879-2013. New VR Specialist " i i-: 1 I Vocational Rehabilitation has a new VR Specialist Jon George. He is currently completing training and will be in the Portland office accepting appointments by the end of May. Any questions call (503) 879-3098. Urgent Care: when should you use it? Due to an increase in the use of Urgent Care services at the Grand Ronde Health and Wellness Center, the waiting time has become lengthy at times. Urgent Care Services: "It's not emergency but I can't wait for an appoint ment to be seen." What should I do? Times will arise when care is needed when your physician is not available. You can then access Urgent Care, which was designed to serve as a choice for medical conditions that need to be treated the same day. It should not be used as a substitute for regularly scheduled appointments with physicians. Anthony Gagliardo enjoys his job and life in Oregon Ms By Tracy Dugan Employees in Community Resources often times have a very difficult job to do. And the Indian Child Welfare Investigator is no exception. An thony Gagliardo celebrated one year of employ ment with the Tribe on April 23, and says that the past year has gone by fast, and presented many challenges. Part of the duties of an ICW Investigator is check ing out all reports of abuse, neglect, and domestic violence that Anthony receives in his office. "I check every case that comes into the Commu nity Resources office," said Anthony. "I work with the police, state and local officials, families and schools. If a case becomes a full-blown investiga tion, then I notify the tribal court and attorneys." Anthony said that there are times that a child needs to be removed from a home, and placed in foster care, and that is always difficult. "But the parents and the families both need coun seling and therapy. The Tribe is committed to mak ing sure that happens," he said. Born and raised in Brooklyn, N.Y., Anthony moved to Oregon in 1985, where he studied psy chology at Umpqua Community College. He earned a B.S. from the University of Oregon, and a Master's in Social Work from Portland State Uni versity, one of the best graduate programs in the country, and the only program in Oregon. IT"---"-- X " j, s IK III Anthony's work experience is considerable. He has worked as a child and family therapist in Jas per, Oregon. "Jasper Mountain Center is a facility for severely abused kids," said Anthony. He has also worked for Looking Glass Treatment Center as a drug and alcohol counselor and was employed by Lane County as a Mental Health Therapist. Although working for an Indian Tribe has been a change, Anthony says he is very committed to the choice he made, and wants very much to help tribal kids and families. "Right before I was offered this job, I accepted another similar position in Hawaii," he said. "My wife and I live in Sheridan, and we were all ready to go to my new job. But after a lot of prayer and meditation it became very clear to me that this is where I am supposed to be." Needless to say, the Gagliardos didn't move to the islands. Of his past year as ICW Investigator, Anthony says that he receives a lot of support from every one in Community Resources, Tribal Council, and other members. He realizes that issues of abuse and neglect are very sensitive and very personal. "I realize I am a guest here. But I have a real good relationship with the people I work with." Anthony also believes he was meant to live and work in Oregon. "I could never live in New York again," he said. Although his parents and brothers (one a former New York City police officer) are still there. "I am very happy with the work I do now," said Anthony, who used to be an electronic engineer. "I have a lot of hope."
