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About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 15, 2021)
8 JANUARY 15, 2021 Smoke Signals Native communities deeply affected by opioid crisis CLINICS continued from front page treatment options to Tribal and nonTribal clients. The Tribe has acquired two different properties, one in Portland and one in Salem, so it can bring these services to fruition.” According to the National Insti- tutes of Health, Native communi- ties have been deeply affected by the opioid crisis, and many have been overwhelmed by opioid over- doses, deaths and a strained health care system. This has led to some communities offering a two-tiered treatment approach, which in- cludes a culturally-centered aspect combined with medication. In December 2018, Eric Martin, a nationally certified addictions counselor, spoke during a commu- nity meeting at the Tribal campus about the benefits of medication-as- sisted treatment for those struggling with opioid use disorder. Many opioid-de- pendent people drop out within 72 hours of starting an absti- nence-based recovery program due to the severity of withdrawal symptoms, he said. “That is why we have methadone and sub- oxone,” Martin said. “These medication programs were started because the counselors couldn’t get them to stay in a program.” With that in mind, the Health & Wellness Center launched a medi- cation-assisted treatment program in Grand Ronde, but also wanted to expand its health services to the two largest metropolitan areas in Oregon: Portland and Salem. Although the COVID-19 pan- demic required a major pivot, medication-assisted treatment for Photos by Timothy J. Gonzalez Senior Help Desk Technician Mark Donahoo works on installing a computer station at the new Medication-Assisted Treatment Clinic in Salem on Wednesday, Jan. 6. At left, Senior Application Administrator Jose Luna brings equipment into the new Medication- Assisted Treatment Clinic in Salem. Tribal members in the metropolitan area remained a goal of the Tribe’s Health & Wellness Center in 2020. The Tribe closed on the Salem property at 1011 Commercial Street N.E. in May 2020, according to the Marion County Assessor’s Office property records. The purchase price was listed as $5,556,740 and includes a 29,246-square-foot, two-story office building and park- ing lot. TERO Worker of the Month December 2020 Name: Austin James Employer: Freyssinet Positon: Carpenter’s apprentice Austin James first applied for the TERO Skills Bank in 2015. He is currently work- ing on the restoration/upgrade of the D River Bridge in Lincoln City. James said that he has had the opportu- nity to learn new skills and get a deeper look into bridge work, including building new types of forms, using different mate- rials and applying them properly, reading plans and operating heavy equipment. “TERO gave me the tools to be successful Austin James in the work force,” he said. “Five years ago I had zero knowledge about construction. Now I am a carpenter’s ap- prentice with several certifications relating to all aspects of construc- tion. Thanks to this program, I was even able to buy my first house. “I would really like to thank Duke Kimsey (TERO’s Compliance Officer). Over the last few years he has really taken care of me. I’ve got some really great jobs and a ton of useful trainings that have allowed me to excel in the field. Thank you, Duke, and thank you to everyone who makes the TERO program possible.” Great job Austin! For more information on the TERO Skills Bank and any TERO opportunities, contact the TERO office or the TERO director. TERO office: 503-879-1488 or tero@grandronde.org TERO director: 503-879-1455 or harris.reibach@grandronde.org The Tribe closed on the Portland property at 3580 S.E. 82nd Ave. in July 2020. The 20,000-square-foot lot includes a former dental office and parking lot, and is located west of Interstate 205 and southeast of Mount Tabor Park. The purchase price was $1.4 million. Both buildings are currently being renovated and updated by Perlo Construction of Tualatin, and also must undergo various li- censing requirements through the state of Oregon. When completed, the clinics will be the first Tribal- ly operated medication-assisted treatment centers in the state. The Salem clinic is expected to open be- fore spring arrives with a tentative date of sometime this summer for Mail: the Portland location. The Salem facility will eventu- L X ally include an urgent care clinic for clients who come in with other medical needs, as well as a small pharmacy. “I’m just excited to see a building that came from nothing to this,” Worth says. “Doing so during a pandemic adds another layer with supplies arriving on time.” Worth says she has reached out to the local nonprofits and other or- ganizations to let them know about the program. “But when word gets out that you will be opening a medication-assist- ed treatment facility, people come to you,” she says. Staff hired for the Salem clinic include medical, behavioral health, administrative and management employees. They began remote training on Jan. 11 with the goal to be onsite by Tuesday, Jan. 19. “We have invited several commu- nity partners to present remotely or in person about their programs, and (for us) to share our program overview as well,” Worth says. “I want to build a culture of empathy on our team and work at getting our foundation built up, refining services and practices, and working through all of the different rules and regulations.” Recently, Worth was at the Salem location meeting with the Tribe’s Information Systems staff mem- bers for setup and configuration of computer and phone services. She compared opening the clinic to her favorite hobby, ultra-trail running where participants often traverse terrain for more than 50 miles to finish an event. “There are things that can come at you all at once, but you hit a certain point where you just need to keep your head up and continue moving forward,” she says. For more information about the medication-assisted treatment clinics, contact Office Worth Phone: at Jennifer. Email: worth@grandronde.org. Mail: Social Services ~ Attn: TVSO Office Phone: (503) 879-1484 9615 Grand Ronde Rd. Email: CTGRTribalVSO@grandronde.org Grand Ronde Oregon, 97347 LaXayam solchas-man ~ Hello Veterans CTGR Veteran Meetings Confederated Tribes Bi-Monthly of Grand Ronde Veterans 2021 Events ~ Save the Dates! th Tuesday 2 p.m. (All events will be 16 virtual until in-person events are allowed). 20 th Tuesday 10 a.m. 2 p.m. 17 veterans and learn Tuesday 10 a.m. Meet up with other CTGR about a variety of topics 12 th or tribally related Tuesday 2 p.m. either veteran (topics TBD). 14th Tuesday 10 a.m. February 16 th Tuesday 2 p.m. 15 th Tuesday CTGR Veteran Bi-Monthly Meetings th April 20 th Tuesday 10 a.m. CTGR June 15 th Veteran Trainings Tuesday 2 p.m. th August 17 Tuesday 10 a.m. October 12 th Tuesday 2 p.m. December 14th Tuesday 10 a.m. Behavioral Health Four trainings will be held throughout the year around Trainings CTGR Veteran various topics regarding behavioral health and wellness. Trainings Various trainings will be held throughout 2021. More information will be shared as Two cultural classes will be held in 2021. details are confirmed (topics TBD). Cultural Classes March June August October April September Behavioral Health Trainings Four trainings will be held throughout the year around various topics regarding behavioral health and wellness. Cultural Classes Two cultural classes will be held in 2021. CTGR Outreach (virtually or via phone at this time) Events The Tribal Veterans Service Office will hold four outreach events this year. This is an opportunity for the TVSO to personally connect with all Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Veterans. Hope to see you at one of these events! CTGR Veterans, let’s set up a time / date to connect in the month of February (Time/day TBD). and I’ll buy you a cup of coffee. (virtually or via phone at this time) CTGR Veterans, submit your photos, stories, biographies, or (If we are still in the pandemic, this event will be drive through and/or information before May 21, drive in) 2021 in return for a Memorial Day gift. February Let’s Say Hello May Memorial Day Honoring July Veterans Powwow CTGR Veterans! Meet up at the powwow. (Time/day TBD). November Veterans Dinner Enjoy a good meal and a movie with other CTGR Veterans. (If we are still in the pandemic, this event will be drive through and/or drive in).