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Tribal representative reports elder services, clinic and ICW cooperation with county
Summary
A newly appointed tribal representative updated the board on tribal elder services, requests for increased respite care, coordination on Indian Child Welfare (ICW) agreements, a new clinic and the Bijiki Center cultural programming and university dorm openings.
A newly appointed tribal representative, Lorraine, told the Sawyer County Health and Human Services Board Sept. 9 that she will serve on the board as the tribe’s representative and provided several community updates.
Lorraine said the tribe’s elder center is operating and that staff and tribal leaders are seeking expanded respite-care services so elders can remain at home longer and caregivers can receive temporary relief. She asked the board to consider collaborative opportunities to expand respite support.
On child‑welfare cooperation, Lorraine said the tribe and county work closely on Indian Child Welfare matters and that “the 161 agreement” (referred to in the meeting transcript as the existing ICW agreement) had not been renewed for a couple of years; she said county and tribal staff are working to finalize updates and renewal so both sides can coordinate child and family services. Lorraine asked that the tribal ICW director and the county director be present together when the agreement is finalized.
Lorraine reported that the tribal clinic is open in one building, bringing together health providers; two nurse practitioners were expected to join soon, and the tribe was seeking another medical doctor. She said the Bijiki Center was offering cultural teaching and community healing events and that the tribe’s university had opened new dorms able to house up to about 80 students.
Lorraine said she was re-engaging after time away from council and was still catching up on previous minutes and county issues. She asked the board for patience as she reconnects and volunteered to collaborate on elder and child‑welfare services.
