OUR PROGRAMS
"HEALING OUR SPIRITS" ABORIGINAL MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE PROGRAM
This program is funded by Interior Health Authority and delivered in the West Kootenay and Boundary region.
WHAT WE OFFER:
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Cultural case management and individual support and counseling.
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Recovery circles in 5 communities.
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Referrals and support to access other community resources and services, including assistance with applications for treatment.
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Support with connection to the larger Aboriginal community including Aboriginal gatherings, events and celebrations.
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Cultural consultation and support to Mental Health and Addictions workers who are working with Aboriginal clients.
HOW WE WORK:
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We provide support and services to ages 15 to Elder.We provide outreach services that supports individuals in their own
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community.
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We provide one-to-one support as well group support in a cultural setting.
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We provide support and connections to other local cultural gatherings.
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We provide support for individuals accessing other community resources, and cultural support for case/treatment planning.
HEALING OUR SPIRITS TALKING CIRCLE
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Recovery circles in the communities of Trail, Castlegar, Nelson, Grand Forks and Nakusp twice per month.
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Traditional circles that include story telling, medicine wheel teachings, and ceremony.
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Circle participants can self-refer or be referred by a service provider.
PROGRAM COORDINATORS
Juanita Kiff, Nelson, Salmo, Kaslo - juanita.coinations@gmail.com or 250-777-3683
Tinaya Jorgensen, Grand Forks - tinaya.coinations@gmail.com or 250-444-9463
Michael Garvey, Nakusp - michael.coinations@gmail.com or 250-265-8755
Olivia Ryan-Schmidt, Trail, Castlegar - olivia.coinations@gmail.com or 250-608-7472
ABORIGINAL FAMILY SERVICES DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
This program is funded by the Ministry of Children and Family Development and delivered in the West Kootenay region.
The Aboriginal Family Services Development Program provides support and consultation to Family Support Counselors and other service providers in the West Kootenay region who work with Aboriginal families. This area includes: Salmo, Trail, Castlegar, Nelson, Slocan, Nakusp, and Kaslo. The program also provides services to Aboriginal families who may be experiencing family issues that require a support person to provide referrals, support, and cultural information. Aboriginal families who are working with the Ministry of Children and Family Development are first priority referrals to this program. Families can also self-refer.
WHAT WE OFFER:
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Case planning and case management
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Coordinated service interventions with other service providers
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Referrals and information about other community services programs (both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal)
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Liaison with the Ministry of Children and Family Development
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Information regarding various cultural gatherings in the region
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COINS Traditional Parenting and Personal Healing Program
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Drum circles (funded in partnership with Fortis) , talking/sharing circles, and community drum making ceremonies
HOW WE WORK:
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We provide outreach services that support families in connecting to culture.
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We provide one-on-one support as well as accompaniment and support for families to be part of traditional sharing circles, gatherings, and other ceremonies.
PROGRAM COORDINATORS:
Nakusp: Michael Garvey - michael.coinations@gmail.com or 250-265-8755
Trail, Castlegar, Nelson and all other areas: Olivia Ryan-Schmidt - olivia.coinations@gmail.com or 250-608-7472
ABORIGINAL EARLY YEARS AND EARLY INTERVENTION PROGRAM
This program is delivered to the West Kootenay and Boundary region.
Our mandate for the Aboriginal Early Years program is to offer cultural support and consultation to early years staff as well as cultural support and resources/activities to local early years and childcare programs/agencies. Examples of activities we provide include traditional drumming, story telling and culturally relevant crafting. In addition, the program offers Aboriginal family gatherings and home support in the communities of Trail and Salmo for Aboriginal families with children 0-6, as well as outreach support in the Grand Forks and area for Aboriginal families with children 0-6.
Our programs are funded by the Ministry of Children and Family Development and therefore there are no fees for our services or programs.
PROGRAM COORDINATORS:
West Kootenay and Boundary Cultural Coordinators:
Liam Fitzpatrick - liam.coinations@gmail.com or 250-399-0698
Trail and Salmo Early Intervention Coordinator (family gatherings):
Brittany Haugen - brittany.coinations@gmail.com or 778-633-0221
ABORIGINAL FAMILY CONNECTIONS PROGRAM
This program is funded by the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD) and is delivered in the West Kootenay and Boundary area.
The Aboriginal Family Connections program offers support and counseling for Aboriginal Families in the West Kootenay and Boundary region. We work in collaboration with MCFD to offer assistance with locating extended family members of Aboriginal children and youth entering the foster care system, as well as, providing cultural connections for Aboriginal children and youth in care of MCFD.
We work with Aboriginal families and youth in care to develop Cultural Life Books and we support placements of Aboriginal children and youth in care of their families. The Family Connections Program also, offers advocacy, support and referrrals to other local services.
For more information please contact Jessica MacLeod at jessica.coinations@gmail.com or 250-608-3679
ABORIGINAL SUPPORTED CHILD DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
The West Kootenay Boundary Aboriginal Supported Child Development program is intended for children who require extra support to be included in a child care setting. The ASCD program is a community-based, family-centered, child development program that is grounded in the belief that inclusion is the most important principle in supporting children to actively participate in a full range of programs. Families participate on a voluntary basis.
The ASCD program is designed to ensure cultural safety and cultural sensitivity for First Nations, Metis, and Inuit children and families. The program provides services for children who require extra support in the following areas:
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Physical Development
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Cognitive Development
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Communicative Development
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Social/Emotional Development
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Behavior
PROGRAM CONSULTANT WEST KOOTENAY REGION:
Crystal Laren
250-304-8920
PROGRAM CONSULTANT BOUNDARY REGION:
Boundary: Dana Bedard
250-444-9595
ABORIGINAL INFANT DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
The West Kootenay Boundary Aboriginal Infant Development program (AIDP) serves children birth to 3 years who are at risk for developmental delay, or disability, or the caregiver has a concern regarding the child’s behavior or development.
The Infant Development Consultant services are tailored to individual family needs and may include:
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Home Visiting
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Assessment of family priorities
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Informal and formal child development assessments and screening
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Information to enhance parenting skills and assist with behavioral challenges
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Information on typical and atypical child development
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Support to promote positive parent/child relationships
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Information on community resources
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Coordination of services
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Development of advocacy skills
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Referral to other services as needed
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Access to toy and resource lending library (books, videos, CD's)
PROGRAM CONSULTANTS:
WEST KOOTENAYS:
Crystal Laren
250-304-8920
BOUNDARY:
Tinaya Jorgensen
250-444-9463
ABORIGINAL COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROGRAM
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We offer support to agencies looking to learn about cultural protocols.
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We support requests from the community for Elder's blessings and coordinate/support Elders to attend local events and gatherings.
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We provide information and resource materials that promote awareness of our programs.
PROGRAM COORDINATOR:
Maurice Trudel
Community Outreach Coordinator
(250) 608-4552
TALKING LITTLE FEET: ABORIGINAL HEAD START CHILD CARE CENTER
WHAT WE OFFER:
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No fee child care for Indigenous children and families
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Infant/Toddler Program: 8 spaces available
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Preschool Age Program: 16 spaces available
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Lunch and snacks provided
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Elder involvement
WHAT WE BELIEVE:
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that happy, healthy, safe children thrive
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that children's families are their most influential teacher
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that Aboriginal children benefit from learning about their culture and language
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in respecting and honoring Aboriginal diversity, teachings and protocols
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that excellence and unity are achieved through open, respectful communication and collaboration
LOCATION AND HOURS OF OPERATION:
7525 12th Street
PO Box 1917
Grand Forks BC
V0H 1H0
Monday to Thursday 8:00am to 4:30pm
Friday 8:00am to 1:00pm
PROGRAM MANAGER:
Diana Tuckey
250-608-1927
Funded By:
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ABORIGINAL COMMUNITY WELLNESS PROGRAM
The Aboriginal Community Wellness Program supports Aboriginal people to access the health services they need. Coordinators assist people to navigate the healthcare system in various supportive and practical ways. They also help people to connect with traditional and cultural wellness supports. Consultation can
be provided to family doctors and other healthcare professionals to assist them in providing culturally safe and relevant care. The shape and scope of this program will continue to evolve in order to be responsive to community needs.
WHAT WE OFFER:
Support Services for Aboriginal Patients/Clients:
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help to access health care services, including family doctor, nurse practitioner, dentist or other health professionals
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accompaniment to appointments
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assistance completing forms
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navigating referrals to services that may be supportive
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anything else needed to help you get the healthcare services you need
Facilitating Traditional and Cultural Wellness:
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access to Elders
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traditional ceremonies
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cultural gatherings
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other cultural resources and support
Referrals and Advocacy:
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to access mental wellness and substance use programs
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counselling
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food security
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housing programs
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other social services and community supports
For Healthcare Professionals:
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consultation to support culturally safe and relevant care
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education
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information about local Aboriginal programs and resources
We accept referrals from healthcare professionals, community partners and self-referrals
PROGRAM COORDINATOR:
Sage Laboucan, West Kootenay region - sage.coinations@gmail.com or 250-608-4552
Ashley Williams, Boundary region - ashley.coinations@gmail.com or 250-399-0714
ABORIGINAL PATIENT NAVIGATOR PROGRAM
Aboriginal patient navigators offer a holistic approach while creating a circle of support for patient care.
OUR SERVICES:
Help understand hospital care system:
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Our APN workers will provide support to patients, caregivers and their families while in the health care system.
Help build spiritual connection:
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Our APN's will provide culturally sensitive health care to assist the Aboriginal patient and the health care provider.
Help promote access to community services:
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Our APN's will assist Aboriginal patients' access to community services that will enhance their care and provide patients with different resources.
Help link together community and hospital:
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Our APN workers will provide linkage for Aboriginal patients', caregivers, and their families to local health care within the region.
PATIENT NAVIGATORS:
Katie Rumbolt
(250) 399-0699
APN Referral Form