Health Department Programs and Services
Programs
The Okanagan Indian Band operates community health services according to a contribution agreement with Health Canada - First Nation and Inuit Health Branch. The programs and services we offer are as follows:
Community Health Nursing
- Communicable disease control
- Emergency response planning
- Chronic disease management
- Maternal and child health
- Diabetic support program
- School health programs
- Outreach service & home visits
- Healthy lifestyle counseling
Home and Community Care
- Client needs assessment by RN
- Care coordination & management
- Home care nursing services
- Home support services
- Personal care services
- In-home respite care
- Medical supplies & equipment
- Linkage to health & social support
Community Wellness
- Health promotion programs
- Illness and injury prevention
- Drinking water quality monitoring (see bottom of page)
- Good Food Box nutrition program (see bottom of page)
- Mental health crisis management (see bottom of page)
- Addictions prevention and support (see bottom of page)
- Linkage & referral to treatment
- HIV/AIDS prevention strategy
- First Aid/CPR & Food Safe training (see bottom of page)
Clinical Services
- Well Baby and immunization
- Lab sample collection (weekly)
- Podiatry and foot care (monthly)
- Optometry and vision care (yearly)
- Registered Dietician (quarterly)
Early Childhood Development
Funding provided for the Aboriginal Head Start program operated by the Snc’c’amala?tn Centre.
Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB)
- Covers “extended” health benefits not typically provided by provincial health insurance plans which only provide hospital and physician services
- Medical transportation support for referrals to specialist appointments outside the greater Vernon area
- Information and assistance with the other Non-Insured Health Benefits:
- medical supplies and equipment
- dental treatment services
- prescription drugs
- vision care
- mental health crisis counseling
- BC MSP premiums
BC Medical Services Plan (MSP)
- Assistance with obtaining Care Cards
- Registration of young adults over 18
- Information on MSP Supplementary Benefits available to Status Indians:
- chiropractic care
- massage therapy
- naturopathy
- physiotherapy
- non-surgical podiatry
Services Offered:
Food Safe and First Aid Courses
This program is to assist individuals for their own personal gain as well as people who are seeking employment , food establishments. Theses courses are organized for groups by a request . These program have standards set by Environmental Health Services Canada and St. John Ambulance.
Mental Health
Funds are available for registered community members to receive counseling services, training and/or crisis intervention.
Outreach Worker
The main focus and responsibility is the provision of nutrition information, support and links to outside resources for Pre-natal and Post-natal women and Diabetics. The outreach worker will provide assistance to the community health nurse and participate in other programs, clinics and workshops.
Addiction Workers
The Drug and Alcohol Program has expanded over the years to include other addictions besides drug and alcohol. Community awareness of the affects of addictions on relationships are changing. Mental health is a important component of the addiction program. The information that is provided on Drugs and Alcohol, gambling and violence. This program also works with the Justice system by including Provision of Community Hours Programs and Probations. A large component is family support and crisis intervention. The program is more than assistance to attending Alcohol Treatment Centers.
Water Safety Program
The Drinking water program is set up in consultation with the Environmental Health Officer. The Environmental Technician collects the water samples following a scheduled program. A portable micro-biological lab is based on site at the Health Building. Water samples from each of the major water systems are sent to the lab in Vancouver each month as well. Individuals wells are also tested on an annual basis. The Results of water samples are monitored by the Environmental Health Officer, the Health Staff and concerns are sent to the Public Works Department.
Good Food Box Program
This Program works in conjunction with the Provincial Health Unit. The Good Food Box is a non-profit organization that buys produce wholesales and get better prices. The program is set in place to help people who are finding it hard to stretch their dollars to include fresh fruits and vegetables into their budget. The Items that are chosen according to value and season. The box is close to double the value at a regular supermarket depending mainly the store and time of year. This program is open to all community members regardless of their income. Health and Social Services Staff organize the program at the Head of the Lake Hall on the third Thursday of each month. A payment of 10 dollars($10.00) is due the second Wednesday of each month.
Elders Society
Each week the Inkampulux Elders Society meet to share a meal and visit one another. Assistance is provided with transportation and meal preparation Wednesday by the Elders Liaison. On the first Wednesday of every month, Creekside Restaurant provides a meal. On the second and fourth Wednesday - soup and sandwiches and the Third and Fifth Wednesday of the month a full meal is prepared. These weekly meetings provide the opportunity for those in attendance to gather information of activities happening in other first nation communities. Also to socialize and speak the native language, sharing of current and passed events. Funds are raised by the group with the support from the community for their activities.
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