Native Healing Program Awarded Best of Aberdeen Area Indian Health Programs
Written By: Molly Barnett, Attorney at Smith, Shelton & Ragona
Rapid City, SD: From tragedy to success– the Native Healing Program (NHP) in Rapid City recently rebuilt its alcohol and drug treatment center out of the ashes, literally. And now the program is being recognized as Program of the Year among all 30 alcohol and drug treatment programs within the Aberdeen Area of the Indian Health Service. This is no small feat, especially given the rapid turnaround the program has had to make in order to be recognized with such an honor.
The program is operated by the Oglala Sioux Tribe, in cooperation with and on behalf of members of the Oglala, Cheyenne River, and Rosebud Sioux Tribes. A year ago, in April of 2010, an electrical fire destroyed NHP’s outdated facility. Although thankfully no one was seriously hurt in the fire, NHP was forced to temporarily cease its treatment and recovery services. Determined to resume services, and practicing its own teachings of healing in the midst of extreme adversity, NHP began the process of rebuilding.
There were, of course, some setbacks. A compliance issue with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), which arose during previous management at the Program, required the Program to revise its confidentiality policies. With the help of its attorneys, Smith, Shelton and Ragona, LLC of Westminster, Colorado, the revised policies will now ensure future confidentiality of client records and avoid fines and fees associated with past deficiencies. Additionally, the Program and its attorneys revised NHP’s entire personnel policies and procedures, ensuring a compliant, healthy work environment.
Overcoming those obstacles, NHP next focused on negotiating with the Indian Health Services to secure funding for a new facility. Every year, the Indian Health Services enters into an Indian Self Determination Contract (P.L. 93-638) with tribally-run Indian health programs. Such contracts are intended to provide funding for services that IHS would ordinarily provide, but have instead delegated to tribal entities who know their people, in Lakota their “Oyate” , best. Such is the case with NHP, which uses traditional Lakota teachings to treat alcohol and drug abuse. NHP’s negotiations with IHS were successful, and under a revised 638 contract, NHP received funding for a new, up-to-date modular facility.
In the beginning of 2011, NHP moved into its new facility and started out-patient treatments again. With the vision of its Program Director, Gloria One Feather, and the dedication of its counseling team, the Program is off to a great start. There were 30 programs competing for the award, and, out of all programs, Native Healing Program showed the most improvement over the past year. Janelle Janis, counselor from Native Healing Program was also recognized with the Fire Stomper award for her ability as Peace Keeper and mediator.
The award was presented to NHP on May 04, 2011 during the awards luncheon at the Aberdeen Area Behavioral Health Conference, Mystic Lake (Prior Lake) MN. Lelewis Gipp , Director of the Aberdeen Area Alcohol Program provided, “the Native Healing Program was selected from a list of nominees for the award for Program of the Year. The Native Healing Program showed resiliency following adversity which included the lost facility. Their display of teamwork is commendable which led to the development of program policies and procedures, updated curriculum and the NHP website among other activities and projects.”
Gloria One Feather, Director of NHP said, “receiving the award comes one year after the fire, which was a year filled with hard work for the NHP staff. The Native Healing Program worked as a team and demonstrated their abilities, skills and most of all their perseverance. The acknowledgement came at a good time and is truly is boost for staff morale. Our concentration is focused on quality service delivery to our community while planning for the future of NHP. Wopila for the support of OST, Sioux San and all the Aberdeen Area Alcohol Programs.”
If you are interested in learning more about Native Healing Program or its treatment services, please visit NHP online at www.nativehealingprogram.org . The Program is run by the Oglala Sioux Tribe’s Health and Human Services Committee. The Program provides alcohol and substance abuse treatment to the Rapid City (Mni Luzahan Otunwahe) Native American Community and other affiliated tribes in the region.