Community Health

By Liz Leffler, community health nurse 

On Saturday, August 4 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at Rodgers Lake the Department of Health Services and the Department of Education are combining their Family Health Fair with the Back to School Day; we are calling it A Healthy Step with Education. The day will be filled with such activities—in addition to the annual back pack and school supply giveaway—as: 

• Body mass index, diet and exercise education for the whole family 
• Hearing and vision screenings, vital signs, glucose readings, foot screenings and education 
• Information  on Contract Health Services, Behavioral Health and Medicare/Medicaid  
• Haircuts, massages 
• Back health information 
• Tribal Police Department will give tips on safe driving, car seat safety and bike safety 
• Language and Culture Department staff will talk about the cultural use of tobacco 
• An ambulance team will offer walk-throughs, demonstrations on infant and adult choking and CPR, registrations for CPR and first aid classes, plus, meet Major their Saint Bernard! 
• The Indian Lake Fire Department will be on hand with their smoke house and fire prevention and safety education 

   Plus much more! Please come out and participate in this fun filled event. 

Outreach program services include:

• Community Health Nursing 
• Community Health Representatives 
• Community Health Nutritionist 
• Behavioral Health Social Workers 

    The Pokagon Band community outreach team works closely with citizens in the community and provides direct patient care in citizen’s homes. In order to qualify for an outreach visit, you must be a Pokagon Band citizen and be referred to the program from one of the providers at the Pokagon Band Clinic. Services provided include: care on diet and exercise, disease education, home safety evaluation, vital sign, disease, medication, and much more.  

    The community health nutritionist works with citizens on breastfeeding, nutrition and education. She also works with the Education Department, through the newsletter, and such various programs as summer camp, Elder’s nutrition, diabetes education, weight loss management, medical nutrition therapy and home visits by referral. She promotes physical exercise and diabetes prevention in our Walk the Path program, fun walks, and chair exercise program.  

    Two social workers who are part of the behavioral health team also see citizens in the community. Community health representatives (CHR) are trained health outreach workers who work in the community, in clinics, and in home settings with citizens to help improve their health. They can provide health screenings and health education. During the initial home visit the CHR will ask you a few questions related to your health history; this information remains confidential. The CHR will check vital signs at each visit and may perform other tests such as a glucose finger poke test.  

    The CHR works directly with the community health nurse in collaboration with your care. Two community health nurses provide skilled nursing care and community services to the citizens of the Pokagon Band. Some of these skilled services include but are not limited to performing home visits for vital sign monitoring, medication/disease monitoring, education, home safety evaluation, and overall health education. They initiate and update the plan of care, obtain physician orders, and provide care according to the plan of care. They collaborate with Pokagon Band clinic staff; setting realistic and appropriate goals and making referrals to in-house providers as needed.  They work closely with other Pokagon Band programs providing health fairs, walks, first aid and educational booths at pow wows and other community health activities. The outreach team works with the medical clinic staff, behavioral health program, and pharmacy to provide the best possible patient treatment and experience.