CHIPRA TIMES N a t i v e A m e r i c an H e a l t h C e n t e r
CHIPRA Enrollment & Retention Program By Shirley Begay By now, many of you may know about the services of our CHIPRA Enrollment & Retention Program offers here at NAHC.; We are an outreach team that assists American Indian/Alaskan Native families in enrolling their uninsured children into the Med-Cal and Healthy Families health insurance programs. We also assist families in maintaining their insurance during their annual redetermination processes. Over the past nine months, our program has successfully assisted our Bay Area American Indian/Alaskan Native families in enrolling more than 90 children into MedCal and Healthy Families. What does this mean? This means that there are 90 more children in our community that now have health insurance and are able to receive quality health care when and where they need it. The CHIPRA Outreach Team is here to assist you in obtaining public health
June 2011 Issue 2
Inside this issue: A Note from our CEO
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Do Your Children 2 Qualify for Medi-Cal or Healthy Families?
insurance for your uninsured children. We will also answer any questions you and your family may have regarding eligibility for public health insurance and even assisting with paperwork for your annual determination processes. Feel free to call us with any questions Child Seat Safety at (510) 535-4408 for Lorena or (510) 535-4474 for Shirley. Lets all take a stand to make sure no American Indian/Alaskan Native child goes without health insurance. Protect our younger generations’ health! CHIPRA Photo Contest
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CHIPRA & IFH Team up to Host Community BBQ
By Lorena Rivera
Announcements
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March 12, 2011 a day filled with many options for family activities, many chose to attend the CHIPRA Community BBQ held in collaboration with the Intertribal Friendship House. The sun was shining and there were plenty of activities for people to participate in including a face painter, balloon twisters, family gardening, vendors and arts & crafts for the kids. As always the main goals of CHIPRA’s events are to get the community familiar with what CHIPRA is and to locate American Indian and Alaskan Native Children in need of health insurance.
Kids Corner
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Organization Spotlight
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Part of the program included the first showing of the CHIPRA media project, highlighting the importance of children having health insurance. With the help of the NAHC’s media center crew, the CHIPRA team was able to get their message across. Shedding light on health issues and complications prevalent in American Indian Communities; like diabetes, obesity, asthma and lack of health insurance. The wonderful food was prepared by local community members William Stevens (San Carlos Apache) and Jackie Webster (Oneida). They spent numerous hours preparing such a large meal, and it was enjoyed by all. Raffles were held throughout the event and the main prize was a Nintendo DS. A most memorable event, some people were asking when the next one would be. I am happy to report the next CHIPRA event is coming soon! For questions contact our CHIPRA team at 510-535-4474 or 510-535-4408.
A Note from Our CEO As the CHIPRA Enrollment & Retention Program moves into it’s second year, we would like to share some words from our CEO: NAHC is proud to have been awarded full grant monies for the Children’s Health Insurance Program Reinstatement Act, which offers outreach and enrollment services for state funded Medi-Cal and Healthy Families programs and extend these services to uninsured American Indian and Alaska Native children and their families in the Bay Area. We have a dedicated outreach and enrollment team whose vision and tireless efforts are driven by the belief that health care is a right and not a privilege. So far they have made a tremendous impact on the community by making themselves visible at all local events; creating a newsletter; creating a public service announcement that can be found on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pd2WpcMyO_s ; and supporting our children and their families so they may have access to the health care they deserve. The CHIPRA Enrollment & Retention program at NAHC affords the opportunity for mission-driven employees to satisfy their ambition to provide their community vital services and also offers a clear avenue for uninsured children and their families to access health care in a culturally relevant environment. NAHC strives to provide services that are continuously being evaluated and improved to give the next generations a solid medical home. Martin Waukazoo
Do my children qualify for Medi-Cal or Healthy Families? What if I have income? That’s ok, you may still qualify for MediCal or Healthy families depending on your household size and income.
What type of documentation do I need to bring in?
Do I have to make an appointment? While appointments are recommended , drop-ins are available. Monday-Friday 9 AM-12PM, 1-5PM. What if I do not live in Alameda County? We can still help, in fact we are in the midst of setting up times when our CHIPRA team can travel to Contra Costa, San Francisco and San Mateo Counties. Keep your eye open for our announcements'.
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If I am Native American do I need to provide proof? If so, what kind is acceptable
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Proof of Identity
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California Drivers License or Identification Card
No, but these documents are helpful in reducing co=pays and premiums.
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U.S Citizenship or alien status documents (passport)
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Birth Certificate
Enrollment document from your federally recognized, or
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Documentation of Income
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Certificate Degree of Indian Blood (CDIB)
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Paycheck stub
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A copy of last year’s federal income tax return
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Proof of Residency
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Rent Receipt or Utility bill, or
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A pay stub that shows your address in California or
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A handwritten letter of room
Currently seeking submissions for our next CHIPRA TIMES. Poetry, Artwork, and informational pieces are being accepted. Keeping with the Health Insurance topic, all work should be relevant for American Indian Children & Families.
CHIPRA TIMES
Child Seat Safety Tips By Dawn Lulua-Claxton (Child Safety Technician)
From birth to at least age 1 and 20 lbs. For the best possible protection, keep your infant in a rear-facing child safety seat in a back seat for as long as possible - up to the height or weight limit of the particular seat. The "12 months and 20 pounds" rule that many parents cite when turning their child forward-facing in the car is actually the minimum size and age requirement for that change. New recommendations suggest that children remain rear-facing to age 2. Use a rear-facing car seat correctly in a back seat every time your baby rides in a car. Use the right car seat for your baby’s weight and height. Infants are weighed and measured at every doctor visit, so be sure to keep track. Use the car’s safety belt or LATCH system to lock the car seat into the car. Your car seat should not move more than 1 inch side to side or front to back. Grab the car seat at the safety belt or LATCH path to test it. Put harnesses through the slots so they are even with or below the infant’s shoulders. Be sure the harness is tight, so you can’t pinch extra webbing at the shoulder. Adjust the chest clip to armpit level. Use your baby’s car seat rear-facing and reclined no more than 45 degrees, so the baby’s head stays in contact with the seat and the baby’s airway stays open. Read the car seat instructions.
Schedule of Events June 2011 •
All month on-site Medi-Cal/Healthy Families enrollment July 2011
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All month on-site Medi-Cal/Healthy Families enrollment
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07/15– American Indian Care Awareness Day at 7 Directions
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07/29- Gathering of the Lodges August 2011
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All month on-site Medi-Cal/Healthy Families enrollment
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CHIPRA Photo Contest! The CHIPRA Outreach Team is pleased to announce the winners of the 'Faces of CHIPRA Photo Contest.' Recently, the CHIPRA Outreach Team Launched a photo contest to select families to be highlighted as the next ‘Faces of CHIPRA.’ American Indian/Alaskan Native families were asked to submit family/child photos along with a statement of how Medi-Cal or Healthy Families benefitted their families. Photos were voted on by staff of NAHC and, it is with pleasure we announce that the top photo title and prize goes to the Magpie Family from right here in Oakland. Estela, Calvin and baby Freeman will have their beautiful picture as the next "Faces of CHIPRA.' Our two runners up are the Whitecrane Family with her precious baby girl and the Leyva Family, with an adorable photo submission. Enjoy!
“Medi-Cal gave us a good start to raising a happy, healthy baby.” - Estella Cuevas
Magpie Family
Whitecrane Family “My daughters and myself are proud recipients of Healthy Families. I am grateful that they can receive health care at no cost because of our Native American heritage. They are able to see the same pediatrician which helps me balance work and my busy schedule. The health of my daughters is as important to me as teaching them their culture. I try to teach them its a privilege to dance and they do it for those who cannot, our elders, and our ancestors.” -Amanda Whitecrane
Leyva Family “We are a low-income family, and Medi-cal has given us security and reassures us that we will still receive excellent care and more. I know I can rely on Medi-cal to help us when we need it. From when I was pregnant til now that my son is almost two years old, Medi-cal has not given up on us, from unexpected hospital stays, to prescriptions, to doctor visits. Even though we have a lowincome, Medi-cal makes us feel no different! We are so thankful for Medi-cal!” -Melissa Leyva
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CHIPRA TIMES
Announcements!
Issue 2
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Kids just wanna have fun!
A Fun and Healthy Recipe to make with your child!
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CHIPRA TIMES
Community Organization Spotlights Hintil Kuu Ca Child Development Center 11850 Campus Drive Oakland 510-531-8400 Hintil Kuu Ca, Pomo for The Indian Children’s Place, was started in 1974, as a parent participation pre-school by Indian Parents in the Oakland community. Hintil is a unique, educational child care program in which curriculum not only teaches and enhances student’s academic skills to be successful in school, but it also incorporates Native American culture and values in the day to day operation. Hintil is very much a community program with staff and parents working together to meet children’s needs. Many parents, alumni, community and current stu-
dents agree Hintil is like a second home where everyone is family. After threatened closure in 2010, Hintil remains opened and groundbreaking for a new facility is expected to begin in 2012! State requirements for enrollment mandates that all parents in the household be employed, going to school, seeking employment or have special needs. Hintil’s hours are from 7:30-5:30PM daily, year round. Ages served are 3 years- 5th graders.
Hintil currently has opening’s, imagine your child here! See Hintil secretary Loretta for an
United Indian Nations Inc 1436 Clarke Street Suite #b San Leandro CA 94577 510.352-4510 UIN is an American Indian managed non-profit agency established in 1979 servicing the economic needs of the more the 60,000 American Indians living in the Greater San Francisco Bay Area. UIN is controlled and operated by Native Americans. The experienced UIN staff provides employment services that address the specific needs of the Native American and Alaskan Natives. UIN can help you obtain occupational training, remedial reading and math services, high school equivalency diploma (GED), assistance with starting a post – secondary school, completing of request for financial aid, work experience, job search assistance, supportive services/ access to other
CHIPRA TIMES
UIN is especially committed to serving those who have the greatest need for their services.
UIN intake specialists and program coordinators work with individuals on a one-to –one basis in order to develop a personalized plan to employment goals, identify training and job opportunity, mock job interviews, active job searching via internet, completing job applications, resume prep and building, cover letter preparation and overcome employment barriers.
In order to apply you must be 18 yrs and older, Native Americans/ Alaskan Natives who reside in Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, or San Mateo counties, must be unemployed for at least 7 days, and registered with the Selective Service (if applicable). Applications must be completed and verified in order to be determined eligible. Applications must be completed and verified in order to be determined eligible. Application process is done by appointment only Monday – Friday 830-5 and closed from 12 noon – 1 for lunch.
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Native American Health Center
Native American Health Center assists American Indians and Alaska Natives to
Phone: 510-535-4408 and 510-535-4474 Fax: 510-535-4409 E-mail: Lorenar@nativehealth.org Shirleyb@nativehealth.org
Striving to make sure no Bay Area American Indian/Alaskan Native child goes without Health Insurance.
Native American Health Center 7 Directions 2950 International Blvd. Oakland, CA. 94601
improve and maintain their physical, mental, emotional, social and spiritual well-being with respect for cultural traditions and to advocate for the needs of all Indian people, especially the most vulnerable members of our community.
Find us on Facebook www.facebook.com/ Native American Health Center-Medical