Railbelt Mental Health & Addictions

Nenana Wellness Coalition

MINUTES

June 26th, 2007

 The Nenana Wellness Coalition is an alliance of representatives from various organizations, government agencies, community groups and individuals that meets weekly to discuss, evaluate, coordinate, consolidate and help implement plans for improving the wellness and quality of life in Nenana Alaska. 

There were four people a meeting today including: Bonnie Reed, Kat McElroy, Maryellen Kanayurak, and Leon McElroy. We had halibut salad, potato salad and bar-b-que pork short ribs with sliced fresh vegetables and dip for lunch.

 

Welcome by this week’s chair person, Maryellen Kanayurak. This week’s mission statement and prayer led by Bonnie Reed, followed by the PLEDGE OF ALLEGIENCE.  

 

PRESENTATION OF AGENDA; There was no CALL FOR MODIFICATIONS

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: minutes submitted electronically last week by Laura but have not yet been forwarded by Kat dues to medical leave. They will be sent out before the end of the week.

 

INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS: No guests today.

           

SPEAKERS/TOPICS

            Public Relations for WIN –We had discussion strategizing various ways to increase participation in WIN meetings. There is always a falloff in the summer months when people get so busy, as well as December and January due to the cold and holiday frenzy. We have relocated to the city library building this summer and people may not be aware that the meeting is currently not at the Student Living Center. In previous discussions, we have agreed that direct invitation is a good idea. Today it was agreed to make flyers to post around town. Maryellen will create the flyers. They will be posted at the library, the post office, Coghill’s, the laundry-mat, RMHA, and the A-Frame. If anyone has any other suggestions for where flyers might be placed, they should forward them to Maryellen.

  WELLNESS THOUGHT- WELLNESS THOUGHT

“Health isn’t just an absence of illness; it’s the abundance of vitality. I believe there exists for all of us the tangible and achievable experience of a profound sense of well-being. This is characterized by a consistent, clear and high level of energy, an emotional balance, a sharp mind, a desire to maintain physical fitness and a direct awareness of what suits our bodies, what enhances our health, and what our needs are in any given moment.”    Patrick Holford

 

OLD BUSINESS—None noted

   

NEW BUSINESS—None reported.

     

UPDATES/ANNOUNCEMENTS

Bonnie reported that the Senior Center is still under renovation. Wednesday they will have lunch at Roughwoods inn and Friday lunch will be a picnic at Endil Moore’s place.

It was noted that the Community Pride Village Safety dinner is scheduled for next <Monday night, July 2^nd, at 6:30 P.M. Bonnie said that the flyers had requested that people bring a dish to share.

Kat is glad to be back to work and is healing well from the surgery.  

ADJOURNMENT at 1:00 P.M.

 

Nenana Wellness CoalitionMINUTES

June12, 2007

 The Nenana Wellness Coalition is an alliance of representatives from various organizations, government agencies, community groups and individuals that meets weekly to discuss, evaluate, coordinate, consolidate and help implement plans for improving the wellness and quality of life in Nenana Alaska. 

There were eight in attendance: Bonnie Reed, Marylou Kanayuruk, Kat McElroy, David Poppe, Donald Charlie, and Rita Pierce. Miles Martin and Lye Lye Kok were there for the first part of the meeting but then had to leave to attend to business. We had lunch of cheese and sausage casserole. Bonnie brought cookies for dessert.

 

READING OF MISSION STATEMENT:By this week’s chairperson, Bonnie Reed, followed by the PRAYER  and the PLEDGE OF ALLEGIENCE.

 

PRESENTATION OF AGENDA. There was no CALL FOR MODIFICATIONS

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Minutes were submitted electronically last week with no addendums or corrections noted.

 

INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS: There were no guests today

           

SPEAKERS/TOPICS

 

            Ch’eghutsen’ program.—Donald Charlie asked for the opportunity to describe the Ch’eughutsen’ program. The federally-funded Ch’eghutsen’ program provides a culturally competent wraparound system of care for seriously emotionally disturbed (SED) children and adolescents and their families. This program uses a strength-based approach that wraps around support and needed services for the child and family. Individuals up to age 22 can be served by the program when admission criteria are met. Family advocacy and activities support are also provided to families involved with Ch’eghutsen’. He explained the strength based, wrap around process and said that the purpose is to encourage young individuals by concentrating on their strengths. He identified some of those strengths as they might be noted during initial assessment including family members, teachers, neighbors or community members that might be involved with a child or the family. Other strengths might be a child’s natural curiosity or talents. Others are assets identified within the family such as their personal history or position in the community, family traditions, cultural involvement, or community strengths. In a strength-based wrap-around process, the child involved and the family get to choose who they want to be involved in the wrap around. It also usually involves others including parents, teachers, relatives, peers. It’s not treatment in the traditional Western model view-point. It is about finding those things that will help bring the child and the family back into balance. In this strength-based, warp around process, the goal is to build on what is going right. Don explained how referrals worked and his part in the wrap around process.

 

OLD BUSINESS: Rita noted that she is working on the Neighborhood Watch newsletter. Again she encourages people to submit articles. We talked about possible fund-raisers. Rita wants to do a spaghetti feed. Kat said she is always willing to cook for this.

   

NEW BUSINESS: None noted

     

UPDATES/ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Donald Charlie said there will be a Community Pride/Village Safety meeting at the Nenana Native Council Tribal Hall on the evening of Monday, July 2^nd, 2007 at 6:30 P.M.

 

OPEN FLOOR FOR COMMENTS/QUESTIONS/DISCUSSION: None

 

ADJOURNMENT: 1:30 P.M.