American Indian Advisory Council s4

American Indian Advisory Council Minutes November 19, 2003

Welcome and Introductions by Glenna Amos, Workforce Service Supervisor United American Indian Involvement (UAII)

The UAII recently moved under one roof at their W. 6th street address. The move brings together all the UAII’s programs creating a One-Stop arena for Health Services for Native Americans in the downtown, Los Angeles area:  The Club House, after school activities program for youth 5 to 17, includes basketball teams, tutoring, computer literacy, counseling, transportation, summer camp etc. . A new program for older youth 18 to 20, offering a work force program, training through East San Gabriel Regional Occupational Program, and life skills training . The Robert Sundance Family Wellness Center that includes mental health services

Guest Speaker Veronica Menchaca, CSAC “What you need to know about Prop. 36”

California’s Substance Abuse and Crime Prevention Act (Prop. 36), enacted July 1, 2002:  State program run by the County with the California Alcohol and Drug Programs as the lead agencies.  Ppermits the Court to offer probation to adults convicted of nonviolent drug related offenses, with treatment instead of probation without treatment or incarceration.  The alternative to this program can mean having felony conviction on the record for 7 years and/or paying as much as $60,000.00 in fines.  Upon completion of the minimum 6-month treatment and 6- month aftercare program, the individual’s record is expunged.  Cost to tax payers for incarcerating an individual is $37,000.00 per year, higher for maximum security.  Cost for treatment and follow up under Prop. 36 is $4,000.00 per year.  Community benefits as the person convicted of the non-violent crime has the opportunity to obtain treatment as opposed jail which in neither treatment nor deterrent.

According to a one-year evaluation, performed by UCLA Integrated Substance Abuse Programs (www.uclaisap.org) early signs of success were found.  Out of 53,697 drug offenders eligible under Prop. 36, 44,043 (82%) volunteered to participate.  Of those, 37,495 (85%) completed assessment  30,469 (81%) entered treatment.  Approximately 86% were placed in outpatient; drug-free (non-methadone) programs  10% were placed in residential programs.

Veronica stated that from personal experience with those who attended treatment:  Change may not be immediate but can still occur down the road.  She estimated that 60% made it through the program and 1/3 were heroin addicts who stay clean for about 6 months  And, a significant savings to tax payers and benefit to the community.

Essential to the success of the program is frequent drug testing and mandatory reporting of violations that can result in incarceration and count toward the 3 strikes rule. Guest Speaker Kim Smith Certified Substance Abuse Counselor American Indian Alcohol Commission, LA County

Ken is Director of the Robert Sundance Family Wellness Center (RSFWC), a program operated by the UAII. The RSFWC began on L.A.’s Skid Row in the 1970’s, providing substance abuse counseling Native Americans and non-Native Americans. In 1996, the program expanded to cover Health services to include: . Mental Health – 2 Therapists on staff . Education – American Indian Culture, GED, Vocational and Higher Education . Health Services – 4 Public Health Nurses on staff, Flu shots available, Medi-cal . Dental services – Medi-Cal rates . Economic Development . Social Services – Domestic Violence, Shelters . Veteran’s service, Weekly Breakfast and special Pow wows . Children’s Programs – Foster Care, after-school, Summer Camp . Spiritual Guidance (American Indian and non-denominational)

The newest addition to services developed by the UAII and Robert Sundance Family Wellness Center is a residential treatment program for young women recovering from alcohol and drug addition. Many programs like ski trips for older teens are funded through fund raising events such as 5 K march. Others are funded through grants. Volunteers are welcome.

RSFWC, in collaboration with the Department of Rehabilitation, Projects with Industries, and the Employment Development Department to bring pre-employment and job placement services to disabled American Indians. . General Discussion:

Issues related to referrals from American Indian community agencies to Dept. of Rehabilitation (DOR): . American Indian agencies have found that people coming to them already have a DOR Individual Plan for Employment. . With staff turnover, their staff often have limited knowledge of DOR services and eligibility criteria, especially under DOR Order of Selection criteria. . Local American Indian agencies often serve the entire county but only have one liaison with DOR through the local office . DOR liaison indicate the number of referrals have remained the same as last year – DOR Ad Hoc report to be requested . Candelaria American Indian Council, Ventura, provided statistics on Central California Native American population census . The State hiring freeze, staff shortage, and limited travel budgets have impacted these liaisons. . However, DOR staff stressed that the funds for client services remains very good and no changes are anticipated to the eligibility or Order of Selection criteria.

Suggestions to improve awareness of DOR services include: . American Indian agencies will invite DOR staff to meet with new staff in-service training sessions between agencies . DOR liaison will be invited to participate in the client orientations given by American Indian agencies. Those attending may not be disabled but may have a relative or friend with a disability. . Improve follow up communication once a referral has been made and especially once the Plan for Employment has been developed. . DOR and AIAC will outreach to other American Indian organizations i.e. Kern Native Outreach Committee (KNOC) contact Clinton Mungary, Executive Director, Kern County Education Program (661) 328-6206. . AIAC members will outreach to their local Mental Health and Alcohol and Drug agencies to increase awareness of Native American culture and resources available. . AIAC members may create flyers to give to community agency staff to remind them of DOR contact etc. . DOR will provide the AIAC members with the names, office locations and phone number of liaison staff. . DOR members of the AIAC may invite General Counselors as well as liaisons to the AIAC meetings to increase cultural awareness of resources available to American Indian community

Special Programs:

PET/AIR (Post Employment Training / American Indian Rehabilitation) is a 15-month program offered at San Diego State University. The program is designed to provide American Indian Vocational Rehabilitation personnel with a certificate, 21 units, in Rehabilitation Administration with an emphasis on Tribal Vocational Rehabilitation service delivery. Tuition, travel, hotel, per diem, and transportation expenses are covered by PET/AIR (funded by Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) through the U.S. Dept. of Education). For application information contact Jim Warne [email protected]

The American Indian Disability Technical Assistance Center (AIDTAC) is a program developed by the University of Montana Rural Institute and supported by RSA grants through U.S. Dept. of Education. AIDTAC provides technical assistance to American Indian tribes and Alaska Native villages that “helps their members with disabilities live healthy, integrated lives within their communities.” According to AIDTAC, "More than 2 million American Indians and Alaska Natives belong to 558 tribes and speak more than 250 languages. Reportedly, more than one of four members (26%) has a significant disability.” For more information log-on at http://ruralinstitute.umt.edu/

California Dept. of Rehabilitation is offering training to Community Rehabilitation programs titled “13 Points of Accessibility”. This course is designed to provide: . Knowledge of disability issues . Basic principles of program access . Strategies for implementing program access For registration information contact John Shegina, DOR Community Resources Development at [email protected]

Appreciation and thanks to Glenna Amos and Sherry White, United American Indian Involvement, and Amy Bustos, East San Gabriel Valley ROP, for hosting this meeting and a wonderful lunch.

Next Meeting March 17, 2004 Host: Torres-Martinez Riverside County