The CHR’s of Rapid City

The CHR’s of Rapid City

By Clara Caufield,

Native Sun News Today Staff writer

 

RAPID CITY – Approximately 25% of Rapid’s City’s population is Native American and although members of 305 Tribes reside in the city, the majority are Lakota and many of those are from the Oglala Lakota Nation.  Many in that community are of low or modest-income, without reliable transportation. Although Rapid City has a good public transportation system, it is not convenient for many elders or handicapped, especially in harsh winter conditions.  That is one reason that the Oglala Sioux Tribe, Pine Ridge Reservation through a “638” contract with the Indian Health Service to provides a Community Health Representative (CHR) program in Rapid City.

The geographic area of Rapid City is 55.9 square miles, a huge sprawling metropolis which poses a transportation/mobility challenge to people of limited means or those without vehicles.  Thus, a major service offered by the Oglala CHR program to natives who are enrolled in a Federally recognized Tribe within that area is transport.  The CHR program provides transportation by appointment for tribal elders and handicapped for medical, dental or vision appointments; they also deliver medications to those who are house-bound; provide regular check-ups and visits to monitor the house-bound, focusing on diabetic treatment; they can go grocery shopping for those who need that service and also regularly make health and welfare checks for clients in need. As one elderly client said “They are angels driving on the ground,”

Rapid City CHR Director Catherine Jefferies commented “This really isn’t a job. It is a lifestyle and calling.  Some of our staff have been doing this work for years and years and we know our community, our elders.  Actually, some like Elton Yellow Boy, are retired elders who will accommodate an early pickup at 6:15 a.m. for the ‘walk-in’ dental clinic at Oyate, but they just keep going because they love our people”.

The CHR Program is an Indian Health Service funded, primarily a tribally contracted and directed program of well-trained, community-based health paraprofessionals, who provide health care and health promotion and disease prevention services in their tribal communities.  Tribes have the flexibility to hire and design health care programs to meet Tribal members health needs through coordinated care for community members in their homes. CHRs are members of the combined health care team serving each community. Many health problems are preventable and the educational and related health services CHRs provide can result in healthier lifestyles, earlier treatment, lower morbidity and lower health care costs.

The CHRs are great advocates, in part, because they come from the communities they serve and have tribal cultural competence. Their dedicated work has assisted many to meet their healthcare needs. The health promotion and disease prevention efforts that CHRs provide have also helped people from the community improve and maintain their health. By providing health education and reducing hospital readmissions, CHRs have contributed to lowering mortality rates. The demand for CHRs continues to grow.  “We know our people,” commented Yellow Boy, who is also a lay minister, frequently assisting Oglala families with other matters outside the scope of his CHR work, often sadly including funerals.

CHRs attend a 2 week basic course emphasizing Public Health and home care concepts and skills. Completion of pre-course training modules is required prior to attending the training. Thereafter, CHRs attend a 1 week refresher training every 3 years to update their health care skills. CHR PCC software allows CHRs to document workload and direct patient activities. Basic, Refresher, First Responder and CHR PCC training are offered on an annual basis.

The Area CHR Consultant provides technical assistance regarding CHR related issues/concerns, program reviews, orientation and facilitates CHR health related trainings. There are 264 CHR Programs with over 1400 CHRs nationwide. CHRs provide 16 categories of services that make a difference in patient’s lives.

Rapid City staff members include: Director:  Catherine Jefferies, Oglala; Administrative Assistant, Amy Sherman, Oglala; CHR Specialist Elton Yellow Boy, Oglala; CHR Specialist, Milbert Cutgrass, Rosebud; RST-CHR Generalist, Caroline Two Bulls, Oglala, Data Entry/Billing, Debbe Charge on Him, Oglala; Administrative Assistant, Elana Montgomery, Oglala; CHR Specialist, Tosha Andrews,” and Patient Intake Theresa Wallowing Bull, Oglala/Northern Arapho.

Due to a crushing transport schedule, it is necessary to book a transport 24 hours in advance.  To arrange for a ride or other services, contact the Rapid City CHRs at 605-343-7832.

 

 

(Clara Caufield can be reached at acheyennevoice@gmail.com.)

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