Transitioning from Circles of Care to Systems of Care
Indian Health Care Resource Center has just concluded its three-year Circles of Care community planning project to develop a wraparound system of care for American Indian children and youth with behavioral health needs. The Circles of Care community planning process was conducted in culturally appropriate, inclusive manner that promoted community involvement. We received input from the community to provide us with an accurate and clear picture of what services are needed and/or lacking in Tulsa's Native American community. We sought the advice and comments from spiritual, religious and community leaders, as well as community elders, attorneys, doctors, law enforcement and youth to help develop positive programs for the youth. The overall goal of Circles of Care was to develop plans to provide improved mental health and support services that are more child-centered, family-focused and community-based.
Excitingly, our "Circles of Care" behavioral health staff is now transitioning to support the implementation of two Systems of Care projects Ð one with the Muscogee Creek Nation and the other with the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. With the support of six-year federal grants from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), IHCRC's Behavioral Health Department will serve as a subcontractor on both of these projects.
The completion of the Circles of Care children's mental health community planning process will provide valuable guidance and community input to develop of a culturally sensitive system of care for Native children with behavioral health needs. The systems of care approach to services recognizes that the needs of children with serious mental health issues can best be met within their home, school, and community, and that families and youth should be the driving force in the transformation of their own care. The systems of care grants will be used to provide a full array of mental health and support services organized on an individualized basis into a coordinated network in order to meet the unique clinical and functional needs of each child and family.
A "system of care" is an organizational philosophy and framework that involves collaboration across agencies, families, and youth for the purpose of improving access and expanding the array of coordinated community-based, culturally and linguistically competent services and supports for children and youth with a serious emotional disturbance and their families. With appropriate care, these young people are far more likely to experience success in school and far less likely to become tangled in either the juvenile justice system or the institutional care system.
See pictures from the farewell party for Jami Bartgis, PhD, Psychologist.
Read about Circles of Care. See pictures from the Restoring Harmony Pow Wow 2008. See pictures from the New Year's Stompdance. See pictures from Youth L.E.A.D event. 600 Attend Circles of Care's 2006 Restoring Harmony Pow Wow, see pictures from this event
Michelle Gourd receives award for Tulsa Native community work
For the second year in a row, one of Indian Health Care Resource Center's Circles of Care staff was honored by the Greater Tulsa Area Indian Affairs Commission. Michelle Gourd, Administrative Assistant for the Circles of Care project, was honored with the Charles Chibitty Family Community Contributor Award at the 11th Annual Dream Keepers Banquet on July 15, 2008. This award is in recognition of the many contributions she has made to Tulsa's Native community. Read more in the Healthy Spirit