North Slope Borough
HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES
June 2013
Volume 3, Issue 2
Our mission is to promote the health and well being of North Slope residents in a culturally appropriate manner.
NSB & ASNA Take the Report On the Road
5200 Karluk Street
PO BOX 69
Barrow, Alaska 99723
Phone: (907) 852-0366
Fax: (907) 852-0389
Doreen Leavitt, RN
Director
Grace Ng
Deputy Director,
Administration
Justina Wilhelm, BA, CDC1
Deputy Director,
Integrated Behavioral Health
Julie Serstad, RN, BSN, MSN
Deputy Director,
Community Health Services
Our Programs
Arctic Women in Crisis
1-800-478-0267
Ph: (907) 852-0261
Fax: (907) 852-2474
Children & Youth Services
Ph: (907) 852-0263
Fax: (907) 852-0463
Community Health Aide
Program (CHAP)
Ph: (907) 852-0256
Fax: (907) 852-3571
Eye Clinic
Ph: (907) 852-0273
Fax: (907) 852-2855
Gathering Place
Ph: (907) 852-0402
Fax: (907) 852-6210
The North Slope Borough Health Department, Mayor’s Office and Arctic Slope Native Association have collaborated in organizing health forums for each North
Slope community, for three specific reasons: (1) present the findings of the recently
published Baseline Community Health
Analysis Report to communities, (2) use the
information to start changes needed to address health priorities, and (3) discuss with
one another how we can start that change,
and exchange diverse ideas.
The NSB/ASNA group has visited
Atqasuk, Barrow, Kaktovik, Nuiqsut and
Wainwright in 2012/2013, and will be visiting Point Lay and Point Hope in June. The
final visit to Anaktuvuk Pass will be completed before summer’s end. We are working with the City of Kaktovik to submit a
grant that will provide ATV/snow machine
safety materials and free helmets to youth
in Kaktovik up to 16 years of age – information from the Baseline Community
Health Analysis Report was used in writing
this grant. Atqasuk residents are collaborating with AWIC to develop a parenting
class/young families’ support group, via
Video Teleconference. Ongoing collaboration with communities on health-specific
issues will be paramount in becoming a
healthier region, community and individual.
As SSMH is transitioning into the new facility, the Baseline Analysis data was used
in determining the delivery of health care
for North Slope communities. The data
allowed SSMH to focus on the population
needs rather than the current acute illness
Atqasuk groups discuss important
health priorities
system of care. The Hospital continues to
strive for a proactive delivery system of
care and will continue to utilize the Community Baseline report in planning for that
care.
We have collected important feedback from
communities on what each individual community would like to prioritize. Some have
voiced support of a parenting group for
young families, more resources for tobacco
cessation, and stronger collaboration with
other agencies both inside and outside the
community. Concerns were raised about
food security, and the high cost of living in
our communities, and its effect on a family’s ability to obtain enough subsistence
and store bought foods for the year. We
hope that these discussions will continue,
and stronger collaborations form between
our communities to promote health and improve health outcomes for our future generations.
Reports from each
community are uploaded to the North
Slope Borough website, found here:
Integrated Behavioral Health
Ph: (907) 852-0366
Fax: (907) 852-0268
Matsutani Community
Resource Center
Ph: (907) 852-0288
Fax: (907) 852-4229
http://www.northslope.org/
departments/health/
Public Health Nursing
Ph: (907) 852-0270
Fax: (907) 852-2855
Senior Program
Ph: (907) 852-0276
Fax: (907) 852-9903
Wainwright’s discussions lead to this Wordle,
where larger words denote a topic most discussed in groups.
Tobacco Prevention & Control
Ph: (907) 852-0366
Fax: (907) 852-0389
Veterinary Clinic/
Public Health Office
Ph: (907) 852-0277
Fax: (907) 852-0477
Women, Infants & Children
Nutrition Program (WIC)
Ph: (907) 852-0410
Fax: (907) 852-3766
For
more
info
regarding the HIA
reports, call (907)
852-0366.
Upcoming Events
Vet Clinic Travel
Atqasuk June 3-5
Point Hope June 6-11
Wainwright June 12-15
Point Lay June 18-21
Anaktuvuk Pass June 25-28
Behavioral Health Travel
Wainwright June 10-13
Nuiqsut June 18-21
Atqasuk June 17-19
Residents interested in scheduling
mental health and/or substance use
services, Call 852-0366 to schedule
an appointment.
Eye Clinic Dates (Barrow)
June 3-7
June 17-21
July 8-12
July 22-26
August 5-9
August 19-23
Meet Our Health Interns
These Boots Are Made For Walkin’
Wednesdays
May 15— Mayor’s Office
May 22—Public Works
May 29—Human Resources
June 5— Fire Department
June 12—Arctic Slope Native Association
June 19— Health & Social Services
June 26—Search & Rescue
July 10—Administration & Finance
Alison Akpik
Arizona State University
Child Development Psychology, Senior
“Today I will do what others won’t, so
tomorrow I can do what other can’t.”
Hannah Clark
Carroll College, Montana
Nursing, Freshman
“Believe what they tell you, mothers
know best.”
April Phillip
Gustavus Adolphus College, Minnesota
Nursing, Junior
“Don’t be afraid to further your education.”
April Prociw
University of Nevada Las Vegas
Pre-professional Biology, Junior
“Education is the key to success.”
Toa Havea
University of Alaska Fairbanks
Business Administration, Senior
Micai Nethercott
Brigham Young University
Molecular Biology, Sophomore
“You can do anything if you put your mind to it &
you will succeed when you put your heart into it.”
London James
University of Alaska Anchorage
Pediatrics, Junior
Xavier Edwards
University of Idaho
Psychology, Sophomore
“Stay in school and you’ll succeed.”
Health Observances
June is National Home Safety Month
June 10-16, 2013—Men’s Health Week
June & July
Fireworks Safety Months www.fireworksafety.com
July is National Arthritis Awareness Month
July 14-20 Every Body Deserves a Massage Week
www.nrpa.org (better get those massages booked early)
July 17—Ilisagvik College
July 24—Health & Social Services
Come out and enjoy these lunchtime walks
with us! A big thank you to all departments
who have sponsored a walk. This is truly appreciated and it has been great to come together to enjoy the wonderful weather. Contact Donna Alred about sponsoring a Walkin’
Wednesday. (907) 852– 0366.
Ricky Ortilla (not pictured)
Calamba Doctors College, Philippines
Bachelors of Science,
Radiologic Technology
“Never give up, you might be closer to
reaching your goal than you think.”
July 11
Energy Drinks
Radio Shows
Every Thursday on
KBRW
10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
June 13
Veterinary Clinic
June 20
FUN DAY!
June 27
Family, Fun, Food
and Fitness Coalition
July 18
SSMH Radiology
Edith Nageak has
worked for the Borough
for over 15 years. She
will be retiring this
month. We thank her for
all her hard work and
dedication and wish her
well in her retirement.
Let’s Talk about It: Adolescent Conversation Starters
1. Fight the Fear- The mere thought of sex and your child in the same conversation strikes fear in heart of a parent. Fight that
fear! As scary as the topic might be, it is more frightening to think of the possible consequences of not having this discussion.
2. Research– The language of sex is always evolving. It would benefit you to become familiar with these terms. Use the internet to research. The more you understand what your child is exposed to, the better you will be able to explain the meaning.
3. Avoid negativity- Talking about sex is a difficult subject for you & your child. Emphasize the importance of when, why &
with whom sex should occur. Make sure to explain that in its proper setting, marriage, sex is a wonderful & beautiful expression
of love.
4. Don’t patronize- In this age of information, your children most likely have been bombarded by sexual images and messages.
Talking down to your children will only make them roll their eyes and tune you out. Your job here is to give the right information on sex and speak to them as a young man or lady.
5. Be vulnerable- At the appropriate time and age, you may want to share the good choices you made in this area or any mistakes you may have made and consequences you suffered as a result. Sharing details is probably not a good idea.
6. Faith- If you are a family of faith, your child will have this benefit on their side. There is a growing abstinence before marriage movement in our country, especially within many churches. Teach your child to honor God with their body and to stay
sexually pure for their future husband or wife.
7. Emotions- You’ll want to discuss with your child the negative emotional consequences of pre-marital sex as they usually are
not addressed in school. When asked in a survey, one woman responded “I wish someone would have explained to me the emotional impact of these things. At 13, 14, 15, you just have no idea!”
8. The risks- Sexually transmitted diseases (STD’s) are increasingly prevalent and often have severe consequences. Unwanted
teen births are occurring every second. Your child must know the possible ramifications of reckless behavior. Paint the unpleasant scenarios that can become reality for them if they make unwise choices.
9. Peer pressure- Give your child the support and foundation they require to deal with it. Make sure your children understand
their infinite value and the importance of keeping themselves pure until marriage. In a book on this subject, a 17-year-old girl
stood up in front of her peers and declared that she was a virgin. When the laughs hurled her way, she replied “I can be like you
in seconds, but none of you can be like me ever again.” That is courage.
10. Constant communication- You and your child shouldn’t have just one talk about sex and never mention it again. It doesn’t
always have to be heavy conversation. Humor is a great teacher and puts everyone at ease. When the 16-year-old on Nick Teen
is pregnant, quip to your daughter, “Aren’t you glad you’re not that girl?” It works.
For the full article go to: http://www.markmerrill.com/2011/03/07/10-things-you-should-know-when-talking-to-your-childabout-sex/