Health Program Information

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Download Health Services recent Newsletter - January 2008

Administration | Ambulance Service | Behavioral Health | Community Health
Contract Health Services | Dental Clinic | Medical Clinic | Cardiovascular Program | Diabetes Program | Nutrition Education | Maternal Child Health/ New Lives |
Indain Child Welfare

ADMINISTRATION

The Administration staff is responsible for all aspects of day-to-day functions of the Health Services division through accurate accountability, decision-making, communication, problem solving, teamwork and motivation. Top priorities include: client and patient satisfaction, health and safety issues and most importantly confidentiality.

AMBULANCE SERVICE

The Bois Forte Ambulance Service consists of 15 EMT's and 5 certified Driver's. This unit provides 24-hour services to residents of the Nett Lake Community and surrounding areas through Mutual Aide agreements with Orr, Cook and Littlefork. EMT's are trained to provide basic life emergency care in a wide array of emergency situations. The ambulance is equipped with up­dated technology such as: automatic defibrillator, trauma stabilization, etc. Medication variances to treat cardiac and allergic reactions are in place and as well as medication that treats asthma and diabetic emergencies. Clients are transported to the Cook Hospital located 35 miles away, with medical direction as needed by satellite phone.

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH

Offices in Nett Lake (M, T, & Th.) and Vermilion (W & F) with services including individual, family and group counseling, school and home visits, problem gambling assessment, mental health diagnostic assessment, depression screening, suicide screening, referrals and intervention, medication referrals, crisis intervention, mental health case management, presentations on mental health, EMDR Level I, Reiki Level II, referrals to specialized psychiatric services, assistance with child's Individual Education Plans, attendance at case staffing and availability for professional consultations, critical incident stress management team, referrals for chemical dependency information and treatment, disaster mental health and psychological first aid training.

COMMUNITY HEALTH - NETT LAKE

Services provided include weekly Elder home visits, Medication pick-up and delivery, medical transports, Vol. Driver Transport set up, monthly WIC Clinics,medication box set ups, services to Nett Lake School as needed, referrals to outside agencies as needed.

COMMUNITY HEALTH-VERMILION

Services provided are: Client home visits, Medication set-ups, Health Education, monthly WIC Clinics, Elder Exercise Program, Wisdom Steps Program, Car Seat Program, medication delivery, medical appointment transport and transportation arrangement.

CONTRACT HEALTH SERVICES

The Bois Forte Contract Health Services Program is the payer of the last resort of medical and dental costs for eligible participants for services that cannot be administered at the Bois Forte Medical and Dental Clinics. Persons must reside in counties covered by CHS, which include St. Louis, Koochiching and Itasca. Contract Health applications must be completed yearly to determine eligibility. Applications for Medical Assistance and other county programs can also be completed with the Contract Health staff.

DENTAL CLINIC

The following dental services are provided, dentures, crowns & bridges, cleanings, fillings, root canal, oral surgery, patient education and prevention programs, Headstart exams, referrals to specialist as required.

**Vermilion Dental Clinic has providers on Monday through Thursday and Hygiene on Thursdays and Fridays. The Vermilion site is located in the Vermilion Social Center, Tower, Telephone: (218) 753-2182.

MEDICAL CLINIC

The following services can be provided at the clinic, pediatric care, immunizations, urgent care including eye exams, medication management, nutrition counseling, diabetic foot care, laboratory services, Diabetic care, podiatry clinics, preventive care, obesity evaluation and management, Physicals: sports, school, pre-ops and truck driving physicals, pharmacy services, Elderly care, pregnancy counseling and referral, retinal photography, Gynecology services including pap smear, breast exams, colposcopy, birth control, and family planning, management of chronic diseases: thyroid, diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, etc., Electrocardiography (ECG), joint injections, minor surgery on lacerations, warts, skin cancers, incision and drainage, casting and splinting, Audiology clinics, toenail removal, wound and burn management.

**Vermilion Clinic has medical providers on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. The Clinic is located in the Vermilion Social Center building in Tower, MN Telephone: (218) 753-2182

Dawn Strong                        Data & Finance

CARDIOVASCULAR PROGRAM / NATIVE HEARTS FITNESS

Services offered by the Cardiovascular program include Elder Exercise, Heart Health education, PACE program (People with Arthritis Can Exercise), SPARK program (Sports, Play, Active Recreation for Kids), Cardiovascular disease risk factor screenings, Body composition assessments, individual or group weight management and body composition programs, Community cardiovascular assessment.Native Hearts Fitness Center is located at 13085 Nett Lake Road, Nett Lake, MN 55772 (218) 757-0087 fax (218) 757-0197

SPECIAL DIABETES PROGRAM

The Diabetes Program provides services to all Native American people who are diagnosed with diabetes or are being treated for insulin sensitivity or glucose intolerance. Diabetic services are available 4 days a week at the Nett Lake clinic and 1 day a week at the Vermilion Clinic. Clients receive equipment and supplies to monitor their blood sugar levels. Other services provided include medication management, diet and exercise education, baseline EKG, lab services to monitor HbA1c, cholesterol, electrolytes, CBC and glucose. Clients are kept up-to-date on services that are required annually, such as immunizations, podiatry and optometry care. The Special Diabetes P rogram works closely with the Nett Lake Elementary School to provide diabetes prevention activities such as the Work Out Low Fat program, which teaches the importance of exercising and teaches healthy eating. .

BOIS FORTE NUTRITION EDUCATION PROGRAM

The Nutrition Education program provides individual and group education in four basic core areas. Participants will learn: Diet Quality - plan nutritious, inexpensive meals for your family; Food Safety - handle and store your food to prevent illness; Food Security - plan healthy meals to fit your budget; Grocery Shopping - stretch your food dollars farther. Lessons include cooking classes, demonstrations, shopping trips, and games to name a few. All food items are provided as well as incentives for attending classes or lessons. Everyone is welcome for group or individual sessions.

MATERNAL CHILD HEALTH / NEW LIVES PROGRAM

The MCH New Lives Program offers services to Native American families, prenatal women, and children up to age 8. The program provides home visits from a Public Health Nurse and trained Community Health Representatives. Services include but are not limited to: education and information on prenatal care, labor & delivery, breastfeeding, parenting, growth & development.  New Lives offers incentives to participants based on the home visiting schedule which includes a home safety assessment with safety items provided to the family. New Lives also offers monthly meetings with a variety of educational and fun topics and activities to any interested Native American families with children 0-8.

Maternal Child Health & Community Health team up to provide the community with a Car Seat Program, the car seat program has specific guidelines and criteria of eligibility, must call for details. 218-757-3295

INDIAN CHILD WELFARE

Offers Case management, Home Studies, Court Advocacy, Crisis Intervention, Child Maltreatment Interviews, Supportive Services, Life Skills, Home Management, Recruiting Foster Families, Supervised Visits, Effective Perenting Education, Truancy Case Monitoring.