In November 2021, the former Community Health Division within Tribal Health split into two divisions that now include the Public Health Division and the Tribal Care Coordination (TCC) Division.
Tribal Care Coordination (TCC) Division
The TCC Division focuses on health care management services by connecting individuals to health and human resources. Nurse Care Managers in the division make referrals, develop care plans, and coordinate the exchange of information between providers and other resources.
Primarily the TCC Division is charged with managing and coordinating the health care of patients between various entities. This can include other health care providers (both Tribal Health and outside providers); and other facilities such as St. Luke hospital, or St. Joseph Medical Center.
Through a focused effort of coordinating health care for patients, TCC ensures that all aspects of care are considered for patients. This holistic approach can include medical, behavioral health, transportation and also social services to name some aspects of care that TCC coordinates.
Within TCC, there are two primary areas of Care Team focus: Nurse Care Managers and Social Advocates.
Nurse Care Managers hold Registered Nursing (RN) credentials and provide medical health care support such as advocacy for patients during medical appointments; medication management; interim wound care; basic health services (such as medical injections or vaccinations); vital signs monitoring; and help with coordinating referrals.
Nurse Care Managers are not home health care, but can provide basic care during the gap when home health staff is not yet in place.
Social Advocates have expertise in social work or psychology, and help meet the social services needs of patients, such as advocacy and coordination for housing, food security and transportation services to name some areas. Social Advocates may help patients fill out forms and applications; and assist during interactions with the Office of Public Assistance or DHRD.
There are also Community Health Representatives (CHR’s) within TCC, and of which come from the communities they serve including Dixon, Arlee, Pablo, Polson, Elmo, Dayton, St. Ignatius, Hot Springs, Camas Prairie and Perma areas. CHR’s provide an additional layer of support for patients through a coordinated effort working with both the Social Advocates and Nurse Care Managers.
To learn more about the Tribal Care Coordination Division, please call Jamie Cahoon, TCC Division Director, at 406-745-3525 ext. 5046, or Jonnell Wieder, TCC Administrative Assistant at 406-745-3525 ext. 5058.
Public Health Division
The Public Health Division was also established within the Tribal Health Department in November 2021 as a means to help promote and protect the health of people and the communities where they live, learn, work, and play.
The scope of work for the Public Health Division is based upon the approach that all public health practice is population-based with interventions focused on a collection of individuals who have one or more personal or environmental characteristics in common.
Public Health Core Services:
· Maternal Health
· Child Health (including school health)
· Elder Health
· Communicable Disease and Sexually Transmitted Infections
· Immunizations
· Environmental Health
· Public Health Emergency Response
· Coalition Building and Participation
· Health Promotion and Prevention Education
The Public Health Division’s scope of work supports the Tribal Health promise to help “every Tribal Health recipient receive high-quality health care grounded in our Tribal values” including:
· Develop long term partnerships tribal communities/populations across the life span
· Establish trusting relationships through effective Public Health interventions
· Build healthy communities by promoting healthy behaviors and lifestyles to improve the quality of life and to function at the highest level of physical, mental, social, and spiritual well-being
· Facilitate access to health care through collaboration, advocacy, and partnerships with individuals, families, communities, and systems affecting health care
· Provide quality, culturally appropriate, population-based health care utilizing interventions that facilitate the prevention of disease and the promotion of health for individuals, families, communities, and systems
Program Goals:
1. To prevent the spread of communicable disease, reportable conditions, and sexually transmitted infections through investigation, education, and clinical intervention.
2. To develop and provide school health services including screenings, communicable disease control, immunizations, and health related education.
3. To enhance maternal-child health related services already provided by community partners.
4. To create community awareness and promote responsibility for wellness and disease prevention through education, promotional campaigns, and community events.
5. To prevent the use/misuse/abuse of substances among youth and prevent the use of tobacco across the lifespan.
6. To promote the prevention of vaccine-preventable diseases across the lifespan.
7. To promote food security to food sovereignty.
8. To promote food safety practices.
9. To promote nutrition related health literacy and knowledge for all ages.
10. To respond to public health emergencies competently, effectively, and efficiently.
11. To promote physical, mental, and emotional wellness among tribal elders.
To learn more about the Public Health Division, please call Chelsea Kleinmeyer, Public Health Division Director, at 406-745-3525 ext. 7362.