Community Health Aide Program Certification Board Newsletter

I S S U E 01 Volume 17 Community Health Aide Program Certification Board Newsletter January 2015 2014 Behavioral Health Aide Forum Attendees CHAPCB Members Mary E. Williard, DDS Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium Chair Andrew McLaughlin, CHP, EMT, BS, AAS Chugachmiut Vice-Chair Dawyn Sawyer, PA-C, MPAS Norton Sound Health Corporation Secretary Douglas Finney, CHP Eastern Aleutian Tribes Kenneth Glifort, MD, MPH Alaska Area Native Health Service Janice Hamrick, LCSW, BHP SouthEast Alaska Regional Health Consortium Arnie Loera, MD Bristol Bay Area Health Corporation Karen O Neill, MD Norton Sound Health Corporation William Schreiner, MPH Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation Shellie Smith, MBA, MLS Division of Public Health State of Alaska 6th Annual BHA Forum The Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium Behavioral Health Department recently hosted the sixth annual Behavioral Health Aide (BHA) Forum on November 10 th 14 th at the Alaska Native Health Campus in Anchorage. The BHA Forum is a weeklong training conference for Behavioral Health Aides and Practitioners (BHA/Ps). This year s Forum hosted 80 BHA/Ps, representing 11 tribal health organizations and tribal councils. Forum attendees also included numerous clinical supervisors and State of Alaska and university partners. Alaska s BHA/Ps are counselors and health educators working around the state advocating and helping to address community behavioral health needs. These needs include alcohol, drug, and tobacco abuse and mental health problems such as grief, depression, suicide, and related issues. BHA/Ps seek to achieve balance in a community by integrating their sensitivity to cultural needs with specialized training in behavioral health concerns and approaches to treatment. The Forum is designed to help BHA/Ps gain training toward certification and certification advancement, and to enhance BHA/Ps knowledge and skills within their practice. This year's theme for the Forum Bonafide. Certified. BHAs. highlighted the importance of certification as a tool to show that BHA/Ps have achieved a high level of knowledge and skills to assist them in Continued page 5 this issue October 2014 Certifications P. 2 Summary of Board Actions P. 4 CHA Basic Training Completion Class P. 6 Cancer Education P. 8 echam Update P. 9 Celebrate Cancer Education for CHA/Ps P. 10 2015 CHAP Forum P. 11

October 2014 Certifications, Congratulations! Adak 1. Mackey, Joseph T., CHA II Akiachak 2. Evon, Katherine G., CHA I 3. Frederick, Moses, CHP Akiak 4. Attatayuk, Faith J., CHA I Alakanuk 5. Joseph, Sylvia, CHA I Ambler 6. Jones, Geraldine B., PDHA I Anchorage 7. Diaz, Christopher J., CHP 8. Loyd, Lorraine A., CHP 9. Shoemaker, Susan L., CHP Aniak 10. Bender, Tiffany A., CHA I 11. Brown, Anthony R., CHP 12. Murat, Carmen R., CHA III Atka 13. Barraclough, Tatiana A., CHA II Atmautluak 14. Tikiun, Alexandra L., CHP Bethel 15. Nelson-Rothschild, Elena, CHP 16. Smith, Marsha A., CHP Brevig Mission 17. Olanna, Emma I., BHP 18. Tocktoo, Frieda, CHA II Chignik Bay 19. Anderson, Monica L., CHP Craig 20. Anderson, Forest F., BHA I Deering 21. Moto, Dorcas M., CHA IV Ekwok 22. Taylor, Vera, BHA III Elim 23. Murray, Jennell M., BHA I Emmonak 24. Shorty, Norma J., CHP Fairbanks 25. Baldwin, Kimberly S., DHAT Galena 26. Korta, Tanya J., BHP Gambell 27. Apangalook, Crystal, CHA II Glennallen 28. Tsinnie, Junior R., CHA IV Golovin 29. Fagerstrom, Crystal L., CHA III Goodnews Bay 30. Evan, Lucy, CHA II Holy Cross 31. Gregory, Jennie M., CHP Hooper Bay 32. Rivers, Shannon, CHA II Igiugig 33. Hobson, Marisa, CHA IV Iliamna 34. Anelon, Deanne, CHA III Kaltag 35. Semaken, Loreena, CHA IV Kasilof 36. Fornasier, Dianna, CHP King Cove 37. Mack, Summer A., CHA III King Salmon 38. Dobkins, Danielle, CHA III 39. Monsen, Roland E., CHP 40. O'Domin, Olaf, CHA III Kipnuk 41. John, Janice M., CHA I 42. Samson, Shanlee R., CHA I Kokhanok 43. Aguiar, Kyle, CHA II Koliganek 44. Olsen, Donna K., CHP Kotlik 45. Okitkun, Michaela, CHA I Kotzebue 46. Dexter, Elsie M., CHP 47. Monroe, Tamara L., EFDHA I Koyuk 48. Hadley, Audrey, CHA II Koyukuk 49. Malemute, Mary, CHP Kwethluk 50. David, Willie N., BHA II 51. Sergie, Annie R., CHP Kwigillingok 52. Evon, Elizabeth M., CHP Manokotak 53. Alakayak, Pansy B., BHA III Marshall 54. Andrew, Ariel A., CHA I Naknek 55. Monsen, Stephanie, CHA II Nanwalek 56. Kvasnikoff, Emerson J., CHA I Napaskiak 57. Williams, Augusta S., CHP Nenana 58. Grimes, Nathaniel D., CHA II New Stuyahok 59. Andrew, Matrona M., BHA I Newtok 60. John, Annie T., CHA III Nightmute 61. Charlie, Eleanor M., CHA II Ninilchik 62. Todd, Maureen F., BHA I Page 2

October 2014 Certifications, Congratulations! Noatak 63. Booth, Mildred M., CHA I 64. Howarth, Robyn, CHA III 65. Luther, Della R., CHP Nome 66. Lincoln, Precious A.E., EFDHA I 67. Milligrock-Ozenna, Bessie, CHA II Nulato 68. Demoski, Sharon A., CHP 69. Patsy, Lisa, CHA II Nunapitchuk 70. Mochin, Darlene W., CHA III Pilot Station 71. Beans, Danielle M., CHA III 72. Heckman, Bobby M., CHP Port Graham 73. Miller, Agnes I., CHP Port Heiden 74. Lind, Tisha L., CHP Quinhagak 75. Beebe, Catherine M., CHA I 76. Paul, Adolph, CHA III 77. Smith, Fannie M., CHA IV Russian Mission 78. Askoak, Jacob N.P., CHA III Saint Mary's 79. Lamont, Janelle G., CHA IV 80. Woods, Geraldine, CHA I Saint Michael 81. Daly, Sara, CHA III 82. Kobuk, Theresa, CHA III Saint Paul 83. Lestenkoff, Monique H., CHP 84. McGlashan-Shabolin, June A., CHA III Sand Point 85. De Costa, Marcella V., BHA I 86. Kuchenoff, Lou J., CHP Savoonga 87. Akeya, Rosemary, CHP 88. Gologergen, Brianne, CHA III Scammon Bay 89. Rivers Jr., Billy, CHP Selawik 90. Compton, Warren K., CHP 91. Ticket, Maureen C., CHP Seward 92. Wolf, Jeffrey S., CHA III Shishmaref 93. Kiyutelluk, Dolly, CHA III 94. Nayokpuk, Brenda, CHA III Sitka 95. Shaffer, Crystal L., PDHA I St. George 96. Merculief, Jennifer, CHA I Teller 97. Topkok, Nicole, CHA II Togiak 98. Carlos, Keilyn, CHA II 99. Toyukak, Bernice W., CHA III 100. Wassillie, Amy J., CHP Toksook Bay 101. Dock, Miki J., CHA I 102. Moses, Printellina S., CHA II 103. Patton, Trisha L., DHAT Tuluksak 104. Jones, Anastasia K.J., CHA I Tuntutuliak 105. Daniel, Olga P., CHA III 106. Gilila, Clarissa L. A., CHA II 107. Nicholai, Joanna R., CHA II Tununak 108. Inakak, Lucy R., CHA III 109. Post, Caroline L., CHA II 110. Menegak, Nina, CHA I Unalakleet 111. Turner, Elvina M., BHP Wales 112. Tingook, Casey, CHA II Wasilla 113. Albert, Kathryn, CHA IV White Mountain 114. Buck, Kriscilla R., CHP 115. Charles, Roberta, CHA II LEGEND CHA/P, DHA or BHA/P who has renewed certification. CHA, DHA or BHA who has upgraded in certification. CHA/P, DHA or BHA/P who is initially certified. Page 3

Count Count Count Summary of Board Actions to Date Total number of Community Health Aides/Practitioners, Dental Health Aides and Behavioral Health Aides/Practitioners certified by the CHAPCB as of November 21, 2014: 450 400 350 300 250 200 150 100 50 0 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 45 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 Total Community Health Aides Certified 39 57 70 39 197 402 CHA I CHA II CHA III CHA IV CHP TOTAL Total Dental Health Aides Certified 13 7 19 PDHA I PDHA II EFDHA I DHAH DHAT TOTAL Total Behavioral Health Aides Certified 7 6 6 BHA I BHA II BHA III BHP TOTAL 1 23 25 65 42 CHAPCB Future Meeting Dates January 21-22, 2015 Anchorage, Alaska June 10-11, 2015 Anchorage, Alaska October 28-29, 2015 Anchorage, Alaska www.akchap.org CHAPCB Standards and Procedures, applications and other information can be accessed on the CHAP website: http://www.akchap.org Go to the Library/ Certification Board Page 4

serving their communities. In this regard, the Forum offered courses to help all BHA/Ps meet some training requirements or continuing education credits towards their certification. This year s training included Orientation to Village-based Behavioral Health Services, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) Practice Application, Documentation and Quality Assurance, Special Issues in Behavioral Health Services, Ethics and Consent, Confidentiality and Privacy, Applied Crisis Management, Introduction to Case Management Supervision, and Introduction to Documentation. In addition to the weeklong training at the BHA Forum, the Behavioral Health Department hosted a Pre-Forum training called Doorway to a Sacred Place. This two-day training included information about energy work, body work, hand therapy, talking circles, teaching circles, storytelling, song, dance, meditation and breathing as tools for BHA/Ps to provide services. It focused on introducing these traditional ways of healing into modern practices. Highlights from this year s Forum included: the special Veteran s Day recognition ceremony held by the Mt. Susitna Singers also known as the 2014 BHA Forum continued Sleeping Lady Drum and Alaska Native and American Indian Veteran flag bearers; World Cafés for the Behavioral Health Systems Assessment; and the BHA Awards Luncheon in which six BHAs were recognized for their work and dedication to making a difference in their communities. This year s awards were presented to: Alice Hunter, BHA II, Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation, Rising Star award; Aubrey Wegeleben, BHP, Aleutian Pribilof Islands Association, Rising Star award; Gail Evanoff, BHP, Chugachmiut, Shining Star award; Brenda Wilson, BHP, Eastern Aleutian Tribes, Super Star award; and Janice Hamrick, BHP, Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium, Super Star award. For more information about ANTHC s Behavioral Health program and about BHA/Ps, visit www.anthc.org/chs/behavioral/index.cfm. Janie Ferguson, Special Projects Coordinator Behavioral Health Aide Program Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium DCHS-Behavioral Health 3900 Ambassador Drive, Suite 401 Anchorage, AK 99508 Phone: 907-729-4499 jferguson@anthc.org Page 5

CHA Basic Training Completion Class Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium s Community Health Aide Training Center recently hosted two Community Health Aide (CHA) completion ceremonies, on September 26 and October 10, 2014 at the ANTHC Consortium Office Building. The twelve students who completed training were part of a new blended approach where students are able to complete the first section of coursework through online e-learning modules before coming to Anchorage for the clinical and skills training section. Community Health Aides and Community Health Practitioners (CHA/Ps) are the frontline providers in the Alaska Tribal Health System for people in 180 rural villages and provide primary and emergency health care combined with regular referral provider consultations. CHA/Ps also provide coordination with health providers that travel and provide specialty services for customer-owners across the state. This has been an incredible team effort, said Victorie Heart, ANTHC s Director for the Community Health Aide Program. From our staff perspective, we combined the talents of Instructional Designers, and elearning Developers with our expert clinical training staff under the direction of Dr. Christine Golnick. We know that Tribal Health Organizations are experiencing an acute short- 9/26/14 graduates left to right: Julia Walcott, Ekwok, BBAHC; Alfred Perkins, Nikolai, SCF; Rena Greenley, Togiak, BBAHC; Brianne Gologergen, Savoonga, NSHC; Riza Bendixen, King Cove, EAT; Sheila Baker, Teller, NSHC. Page 6

CHA Basic Training Completion Class continued age of qualified staff. They helped guide this project and helped provide qualified students who were willing to be part of a pilot project that was built and deployed as it developed. We learned a lot from them and appreciate their dedication and patience as students. The CHAP Distance Learning Network will continue to develop content for distance delivery to assist CHAs to meet their educational goals. To learn more about the Distance Delivery Network go to www.akchap.org. Contact Victorie Heart, Director of CHAP Rural Health Services at 907-729-3642 or vheart@anthc.org Article by Karla Brollier, ANTHC Marketing, Communications Specialist. Photos courtesy of Tim Jeter, ANTHC DLN, Senior Trainer. 10/10/14 graduates left to right: Karen Swearingen, Itinerant, KANA; Bonita Babcock, King Cove, BBAHC; Crystal Fagerstrom, Golovin, NSHC; Kathryn Brooks, Manley Hot Springs, TCC; Danielle Togiak, Aleknagik, BBAHC; Olaf O Domin, King Salmon, BBAHC. Page 7

Cancer Education and Digital Storytelling Community Health Aides and Community Health Practitioners (CHA/Ps) create and share cancerrelated health messages with people in their communities. Cancer education for CHA/Ps is a vital component of the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium s vision to provide Alaska Native people with comprehensive education about cancer prevention, screening and early diagnosis and treatment to reduce cancer death and disease among Alaska Native people. Since 2009, Melany Cueva and Laura Revels have been teaching a 5-day, in-person cancer education with digital storytelling course with and for CHA/Ps. With funding from the National Cancer Institute (R21CA163163), four cancer education/digital storytelling courses were provided: one in Nome, one in Bethel and two in Anchorage. During the past 5 years we have been evaluating the course and learning from CHA/Ps experiences with creating and sharing personal stories of cancer prevention, screening, early diagnosis and treatment and survivorship. Most recently, from participants in four 2014 courses, we have been talking with and learning from CHA/Ps and people in their communities who have viewed CHA/Ps digital stories. As a result of participating in the cancer education/ digital storytelling courses, CHA/Ps describe how the course has increased their knowledge of cancer. A Bethel course participant s comment reflects similar comments from many other CHA/Ps: Attending that CE course was an eye-opener for me; so many of our questions about cancer are answered now because of that course. A number of CHA/Ps related that after taking the course they feel more confident and comfortable in talking with patients and community members about cancer: The word cancer was always a scary word; to many people it means death. To be able to share information I learned from the class can help many people. CHA/Ps from all cancer education/digital storytelling courses echoed this CHA/P s comment: Now I can talk to people about the importance of keeping self-healthy, eating healthy foods, exercising and encouraging people to get screened early screening and early diagnosis can have better results for survival. When participants were asked if combining cancer education and applying cancer information from the course to create personal digital stories for cancer health messaging is an effective way to learn they were in agreement that Digital storytelling makes it more real; [it s] not just a pamphlet or a statistic on a piece of paper. There are all kinds of facts and information - what is missing [from facts and statistics] are stories from the heart. Digital stories provide that. CHA/Ps described digital stories as an effective way to share cancer prevention, screening and wellness messages with people in their communities. CHA/Ps reported showing their stories to family, friends, coworkers, and patients in clinics. Additionally, CHA/Ps have shared their stories at community Health Fairs, Tribal Council meetings, and at a regional hospital where the stories were viewed by many staff from all areas of the hospital. A participant of one course showed digital stories during half-time at a regional basketball tournament attended by more than 100 people. One participant posted her digital story on her Facebook page and reported that within one week she had received over 100 likes and 48 comments. During post-course interviews, CHA/Ps and digital story viewers reported that they had scheduled or had screening exams, quit smoking and had changed their diet to include less processed foods, more fruits and vegetables and more traditional foods. In course evaluations throughout 2009-2014 CHA/Ps have highlighted the ongoing need for timely, medical- Page 8

Cancer Education and Digital Storytelling continued ly accurate cancer education. Additionally, CHA/Ps have expressed a strong desire and need for combined cancer education and digital storytelling, emphasizing that digital storytelling is a highly effective tool they actively use to provide cancer education for people in their communities. The four courses offered in 2014 will conclude inperson Cancer Education CE for CHA/Ps. Collectively their comments mirror this CHA/P s words: I wish we had more classes like this to share with all health providers, who can in turn, share the information with their community. You can view digital stories created by CHA/P participants as part of Cancer Education/Digital Storytelling courses at: http://www.akchap.org/html/resources/ cancer-education/cancer-movies/digital-stories.html. For more information, please contact: Melany Cueva mcueva@anthc.org (907) 729-2441 Thank you to the many CHA/Ps who participated in CHA/P cancer education combined with digital storytelling who helped us learn and understand their experience with digital storytelling. echam and CHAM Revision Highlights Content revision released on December 29, 2014. Chapters revised include Ear, Neuro, Digestive, Hepatitis, Circulatory, and the Emergency Field Handbook. Training: Offered echam training in December for students starting Session I training in January and February. Offering full echam training for all echam users every week in January for those who might have missed training or wish to refresh. Contact us at echam@anthc.org to sign up. Be sure to like us on Facebook! www.facebook.com/echamprojectoffice For more information contact: Rebecca Moore Pazdernik ANTHC CHAP Statewide Services Assistant Director at rimoorepazdernik@anthc.org or 907-491-0898 or Tasha Hotch Program Administrator echam tjhotch@anthc.org or 907-729-5618 New version of icham that works offline available with December revision. Visit www.echam.org regularly for updates. Page 9

Celebrate Cancer Education for CHA/Ps Cancer Education & Digital Storytelling Course Nome March 2014 Congratulations and thank you to Community Health Aides, Community Health Practitioners, CHAP Directors, and CHAP Training Center staff who have been the sustaining inspiration and motivation for securing funding for the 5 year project Distance Education to Engage Alaska s Community Health Aides in Cancer Control (R25CA186882) funded by the National Cancer Institute (NCI). In 2014, NCI awarded only nine R25 cancer education research awards across the entire US. The award to ANTHC represents national recognition of the importance of Community Health Aides and Community Health Practitioners in delivering healthcare for people in Alaska Native communities. The ability to design, deliver and evaluate distance delivered cancer education for CHA/Ps at the community level affirms and supports ANTHC s vision to provide Alaska Native people with comprehensive education about cancer prevention, screening and early diagnosis and treatment to reduce cancer death and disease among Alaska Native people. ties. Course development will include input from community members and CHA/Ps, assuring that learners receive meaningful, culturally respectful and medically accurate cancer education to support community wellness, cancer awareness and timely referral of patients for medical evaluation and cancer screenings. If you would like to become involved in this project by sharing your ideas for CHAP distance delivered cancer education, please contact: Melany Cueva mcueva@anthc.org (907) 729-2441 Currently, there is no comprehensive, culturally tailored cancer education course for CHA/Ps utilizing web-based distance learning. This project will develop a semester long course consisting of 11 asynchronous cancer education CE modules, allowing CHA/Ps from every community across Alaska to access cancer education from their communi- Page 10

2015 CHAP Forum is scheduled for April 20-24, 2015 Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium Consortium Office Building 4000 Ambassador Drive, Conference Rooms 1 and 2 Anchorage, AK 99508 The Community Health Aide Program Forum is an annual weeklong conference hosted by the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium for Community Health Aide/Practitioners (CHA/Ps) throughout the state. The Forum offers workshops that meet continuing education requirements established by the CHAP Certification Board for all CHA/Ps. The Forum provides the opportunity for CHA/Ps to meet CHA/Ps from other regions. There is also an awards ceremony to provide recognition to our 'Shining Stars'. For questions please contact: CHAP Statewide Services akchap@anthc.org Phone: 907-729-4492 4000 Ambassador Drive, 4th Floor Anchorage, AK 99508 Purpose: 2015 CHA/P Shining Star Recognition Association of Alaska Community Health Aide Program Directors Annual Community Health Aide/Practitioner Shining Star Recognition Awards 1. To demonstrate appreciation of Community Health Aides/Practitioners for their contribution, dedication and sacrifice. Nominated CHA/Ps should embody the spirit of the Community Health Aide Program and show a positive impact through serving their patients, community, or a cause. 2. To garner statewide recognition for the work of individual CHA/Ps and highlight the ongoing challenges and heroics of Health Aides as a novel, courageous group of health care providers. Association of Alaska Community Health Aide Program Directors' Annual Community Health Aide/ Practitioner Recognition and Support Committee is seeking nominations for the 2015 Shining Star Awards. To nominate a CHA/P please fill out this form: 2015 Shining Star Nomination Form. Nominations will be accepted until March 20, 2015. Send to completed forms to akchap@anthc.org or by fax 907-729-3629. Page 11

Community Health Aide Program Certification Board Volume 17, Issue 01 January 2015 Please Deliver To: Community Health Aide Program Certification Board 4000 Ambassador Drive, 4th Floor Anchorage, AK 99508-5909 Phone: 907.729.3624 Fax: 907.729.3629 Email: chapcb@anthc.org www.akchap.org CONTACT INFORMATION: To submit suggestions, corrections, or story ideas please contact the CHAP Certification Board office at: Phone: 907-729-3624 Email: chapcb@anthc.org ANTHC EDITORIAL STAFF Ella Gonzalez Program Administrator CHAP Certification Board Shae Aliu Program Administrator CHAP Training Center Victorie Heart, RN, MS Director, CHAP/Rural Health To conserve paper and energy we have converted to a digital newsletter and will distribute the newsletter electronically. We will continue to print a limited number of newsletters. If you would like to be added or removed from our email list or are requesting a hard copy please contact Ella Gonzalez at egonzalez@anthc.org.