Smoke signals., February 15, 2019, Page 13, Image 13

FEBRUARY 15, 2019
S moke S ignals
13
Kimsey is new Young Child Wellness Community coordinator
By Danielle Frost
Smoke Signals staff writer
To say the Kimsey family is well-
known in Grand Ronde would be
putting it lightly.
Marvin Kimsey was a key Res-
toration leader and his family has
carried on that legacy through their
work with the Tribe.
Now, granddaughter Keri Kim-
sey, 29, is helping the Tribe’s
youngest members as the Young
Child Wellness Community coordi-
nator. It is a position that is new to
the Tribe and grant funded.
“When I heard about this job, it
sounded perfect,” she said. “It’s an
opportunity to work with families,
the community and wellness.”
Kimsey began working for the
Tribe nine years ago in the Head
Start preschool program.
“I soon realized working with
children was really meaningful for
me,” she said.
After the Tribe enacted its Tribal
Employment Rights Ordinance in
2014, she joined her father, Duke
Kimsey, in that department, serv-
ing as its secretary. TERO was
formed to provide quality services
for the Grand Ronde Reservation
and surrounding region by increas-
ing and enhancing employment op-
portunities, and promoting Tribal
and Indian preference in contract-
ing and subcontracting.
Kimsey began her new job a
month ago, with the main goal
being development of positive
relationships with families in the
Grand Ronde community and con-
nection with current programs
serving children and families.
Kimsey’s job is funded through the
Linking Actions for Unmet Needs
in Children’s Health, or LAUNCH.
It is a childhood wellness program
targeted at children from birth
through 8 years old.
According to the U.S. Depart-
ment of Health & Human Ser-
vices, which funds the program,
LAUNCH focuses on the wellness
of young children by
addressing the physi-
cal, social, emotional,
cognitive and behav-
ioral aspects of their
development. The goal
of Project LAUNCH
is to “create a shared
vision for the wellness
of young children that
drives the development
of federal, state, terri-
torial, Tribal and local-
ly-based networks for
the coordination of key
child-serving systems
and the integration of
behavioral and physi-
cal health services.”
The desired result is
for children to thrive
in safe, supportive en-
vironments, and enter
school ready to learn
Photo by Timothy J. Gonzalez
and succeed. The five-
year grant doesn’t re- Keri Kimsey, 29, is helping the Tribe’s youngest members as the Young Child Wellness
quire matching funds.
Community coordinator. It is a position that is new to the Tribe and grant funded.
“We are looking at
Kimsey will attend community
how we can collaborate with our
excited for me.”
events, and network with children
efforts, and also create a liaison
Doar describes Kimsey as a
and families to gauge the highest
between internal and external so-
“breath of fresh air.”
priority needs.
cial service agencies,” Kimsey said.
“She really hit the ground run-
“The
first
year
of
the
grant
is
“The goal is to have kids ready for
ning and is not afraid to try new
identifying needs and putting
school and able to thrive. There has
ideas, and blaze a trail,” she said.
together a plan,” Doar said. “The
been a huge need for this because of
When she’s not working, Kimsey
second year we roll it out. Keri’s
behavioral health issues in school.
enjoys spending time with boy-
job is to research and gather infor-
We want to give kids and families
friend Sean Kyllonen and sons Ben,
mation so we can engage people in
tools and resources to help.”
9, and Reed, 5, as well as attending
the process.”
Internal agencies included in the
her sons’ sporting events. She also
Kimsey
said
her
nine
years
work-
effort will be the Tribe’s Education,
likes music, cooking and camping.
ing for the Tribe and growing up in
Social Services and Health & Well-
“The Tribe has been a big part of
Grand Ronde have prepared her for
ness departments. Outside part-
my family’s life and my connection
this task.
ners include county social service
with the community motivates me
“I realize how many programs
agencies and area school districts.
to do the best that I can to serve,”
we have that are geared toward
Health & Wellness Quality Im-
Kimsey said.
kids,” she said. “It will make my
provement Manager Dawn Doar is
Added Doar, “Keri is a great fit
job
much
easier
in
providing
re-
also serving as LAUNCH director.
for this position and it’s a good op-
sources when we have the services
“Right now the focus of the pro-
portunity for her to learn all about
already in place. I really enjoy
gram is serving Tribal children,
the specifics of grant work, and also
being able to work with people in
families and descendants,” Doar
to help the Tribe move closer to
these programs, and start a new
said. “We are very excited about
meeting needs for all of our kids.”
adventure of child wellness and
it. This is a huge opportunity for
Kimsey can be reached at 503-
family
services.
Everyone
here
has
the Tribe.”
879-3476 or keri.kimsey@gran-
been really supportive and they are
During her first year on the job,
dronde.org. 
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