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
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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.
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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."