@nahc september 2011

A Monthly Publication for Native American Health Center Employees

Vol. 4, Issue 9 — September 2011

In this issue:

⇒ NAHC Electric Pow Wow....……..………….....… Page 1

⇒ HR Buzz: Employee Assistance Program…….. Page 2

⇒ 10th Annual GONA Event……………………..…Page 2

⇒ New Faces at NAHC………...…………………..…. Page 3

⇒ Employee Spotlight: Katherine Lewis.…..........Page 3

⇒ Employee Anniversaries………………….….…….Page 3

⇒ Green Corner: PG&E cans save you money..….Page 4

NAHC Electric Pow Wow 2011 By Catherine A. Marin-Wisdom

Our hosts Eulalia Valerio and Tenange Habte-Michael introduced a variety of talented

artists. The night started with the Acapella voices of Manny Lieras and Sammy Lopez then the Sweet Lodge Sistaz. The musical talents of Earl J. Rivard, Jeremy Goodfeather

and Saint Mike. Beautiful Hawaiian dancing by our lovely staff Jacqueline Lomeli and

Antoinette Ortiz and the side splitting comedy of Jackie Keliiaa, Reggie Mathews and Charlie Ballard. The college scholarship recipients were Michael Preston, Mary Patten,

Victoria Partida and Devina Miller. Thank you to the many volunteers, the artists for donating their time and talents, our sponsors and to those who purchased tickets in

support of our Native American College students striving for a higher education.

Employee Spotlight:

Katherine Lewis Page 3

2011 GONA

Marin Headlands Page 3



HR Buzz, Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Michelle Shawnego, HR Assistant

Native American Health Center, Inc. is pleased to provide its benefited employees the ability to access an Employee Assistance

Program. This Work/Life Balance Program is a feature of our benefit package through Group Life Insurance coverage with Unum.

It can be difficult to balance the demands of work with those of your personal life. Stress, work, concerns and coping with

personal situations can throw your life out of balance. This program is a one-stop resource that offers consultation, information,

and personalized community referrals, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for you and your family members.

What is an Employee Assistance Program?

The EAP program is designed to provide balance between your personal and work life. When you have questions, concerns or

emotional issues surrounding either your personal or work life, there are resources available to help you. You have unlimited access to consultants by telephone, resources and tools online and up to three face-to-face visits with counselors for help with a

short term problem including but not limited to the following areas: Emotional Well-being

Work Issues

Everyday Issues Legal Matters

Parenting and Child Care Financial Issues

Resources for Seniors Disability & Accessibility

Education & Schooling

Addiction & Recovery

Do employees have to pay for this service? No, employees can call a counselor, use the website, or get referrals on various topics through this program at no charge.

However, if the caller and/or family have selected a referral for a child or elder care provider, attorney referral etc., the family is responsible for paying for the services selected usually at a discounted rate. For mental health or substance

abuse treatment or counseling, the consultant will assist the caller in accessing their Health/Medical coverage.

Is my call confidential?

Strictly confidential! No one can find out any information about you or what you discuss with the service consultants without your explicit written consent — not your boss, your employer, or even a spouse. The consultants must abide by

federal regulations regarding duty to warn of harm to self or others. In these instances, the consultant may be

mandated to report a situation to the appropriate authority.

How do I contact the EAP?

The EAP is free and can be accessed 24 hours a day:

1-800-854-1446: English 1-877-858-2147: Spanish www.lifebalance.net user ID and password: lifebalance

HR Buzz:

10th Annual GONA By Tahnee Camacho,

Youth Natural Helper/Program Manager

This year marked the 10th Annual Youth Gathering of Native Americans

(GONA). GONA was held at YMCA Point Bonita in the Marin Headlands from August 2nd- August 5th. A total of 56 Native youth from NAHC Oakland and

San Francisco, Friendship House Association of American Indians, Sacramento TANF, and Santa Clara Indian Health attended. GONA is a SAMSHA Substance

Abuse Prevention curriculum which uses 4 components of Native culture:

Belonging, Interdependence, Mastery, and Generosity. During these four days various workshops are conducted to get young people to analyze what

harmful elements are in each of their communities and how they can become positive change makers. For more information please contact Oakland’s

Youth Department 510-434-5330



Carolyn Brown Dental SF 09/20/2002

(9 Years)

Patricia Want Administration 09/06/2005 (6 Years)

Ronnie

Brown-Kimbrew Dental SF

09/21/2007

(4 Years)

Kathryn Budd FCGC 09/24/2007

(4 Years)

Lance Choate Maintenance 09/01/2008 (3 Years)

Erica Ivans Medical SF 09/02/2008 (3 Years)

Christopher Lin Dental Oakland 09/11/2009 (2 Years)

Courtney

Cummings FCGC

09/26/2009

(2 Years)

Lorena Rivera Medical Oakland 09/01/2010 (1 Year)

September Employment Anniversaries Employee spotlight: Katherine Lewis, FCGC Richmond

By Catherine A. Marin-Wisdom, Administrative Officer

Tribe: Pima/Oglala Lakota

Title: Program Manager/Social Worker

Site/Department: FCGC

How long have you worked @ NAHC? 4 years

Tell us a little about your job: Manage the Native Wellness Center in Richmond and provide

counseling services in both Richmond and Oakland.

What is the most enjoyable part about your job? The people I work with.

What is your ideal vacation?

Going home to visit family.

New Faces @NAHC:

Aly Bobulsky

SBHC Program & Data Management Specialist

Michelle Picon

Jesuit Volunteer, Program Assistant School Based

Mimi Solomon

Nurse Practitioner, Clinic Manager SF Medical

Amy Birschbach

Jesuit Volunteer, Registered Nurse 7D Medical

Sarah Squires

Jesuit Volunteer 7D Medical Department

Katherine has also volunteered for several years as the head coach for the lady Cougars

basketball team!



Attention Staff: Do you want to contribute to @NAHC?? If you have an article, suggestion, or comment about

future newsletters, please contact Cathy Wisdom at 510-434-5481 or via email: [email protected]

Every year we all see our Power Gas & Electric bills go up. Some years are worse than others and this year is no less as our

economy declines. Being thrifty and cutting your budgets has become important, however, if someone told you could save Money and it wouldn’t cost you a thing... the first place to look is at the Power Gas & Electric in your home.

Here are a few tips you can do today that would cost you NOTHING and Save you Money and Our

Environment:

◊ Turn down the thermostat on your water heater to 120degrees, or 140degrees if you use a

dishwasher ◊ Minimize heating and air conditioning is the single most effective way to save. On hot days open the

windows (no fan) or in the cold use a sweater & bundle up at night ◊ Turn up the thermostats on your refrigerator and freezer to ease recouping power ups

◊ Wait until you have a full load before running the dishwasher, then open the door for air drying (skip the heated drying

cycle)

◊ Wash your clothes in cold water, whenever possible

◊ Wash a full load of clothes Always ◊ Take shorter showers (ask someone to knock on the door after 5 mins)

◊ Unplug appliances when not in use (ex…toaster, coffee maker, microwave on a power strip & shut them all off at once)

◊ Use toaster oven or stove top to reheat rather than Microwave or Oven

Hopefully you take some of this and use it to save not only your Money, but Our Environment.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Green Corner Green Corner Green Corner Green Corner Power Gas & Electric CAN Save You Money by Dawn Lulua-Claxton

@nahc september 2011

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