Star Shield Family Wellness is a culture-based program designed to give support to parents, grandparents, aunties and uncles in their roles as caregivers of our little ones. We have many blessings in our lives that often go unnoticed. Tribal people believe that our children are blessings from the Creator. Sometimes we need to remember the value of our children and the important role they play in our future. They are gifts from the spirit world. In these modern times, it is easy to forget this basic principal. As American Indians and Alaska Natives living in an urban setting, we may find ourselves consumed with the tasks and stressors of surviving in the city. Take a few minutes each day to let our blessings know how much we value them.
HONOR OUR BLESSINGS.

Community Resource and Assistance Networking

We have a community resource case manager who is available to help clients find resources to help them meet their basic needs, such as rent, utilities and food.  Star Shield Family Wellness Program has limited funds available funds to offer to the community for emergency situations.  If funds run out, we can help clients find resources in the Portland Metro Area.

Home Visitation, Case Management and Health Services

Star Shield has a team of individuals who are able to provide case management and home visits.  The goal of this service is to reduce family stress, improve parenting skills, monitor and enhance child health and development and prevent child abuse and neglect.  Our team consists of three case managers, able to provide services to teen-parents, expecting mothers, and parents of children ages newborn to six years old.  We also have a nurse available to families to conduct pediatric health assessments and give referrals to our medical clinic.

Youth Groups

Star Shield offers several youth groups, specifically developed for American Indian and Alaska Natives.  The purpose of these groups is to give American Indian and Alaska Native youth a place to connect with other youth, explore American Indian and Alaska Native culture, values and beliefs, find mentorship from the community, increase self-esteem and self-confidence and come to a better understanding of who they are as Native people.  Groups are held throughout the year.  Youth are able to join a group at any time.  The following is a list of groups that are offered in the Star Shield Family Wellness Program.

      Ø      Daughters of Tradition

Ø      Sons of Tradition

Ø      Children of Addicted Parents

Ø      Strengthening Our Families

 Behavioral Health Services

The Star Shield Family Wellness team includes an Early Childhood Mental Health Specialist and a Child Psychiatrist.  These individuals are strive to provide culturally-appropriate mental health services to their clients.  Available services include:

               Ø     Individual Counseling

Ø      Family Counseling

Ø      Parent Coaching

Ø      Mental Health Assessments

Ø      Alcohol and Drug Treatment Referral

Positive Indian Parenting

This model Indian parent training curriculum draws on the cultural strengths of American Indian and Alaska Native child rearing.  The material has been developed through extensive consultation with tribal elders, American Indian and Alaska Native social welfare professionals and parents.  Focused on the positive values of the traditional ways as a model, the curriculum seeks to help parents decide for themselves what kind of parenting they want to use.  Upon completion of this class, participants are given a certificate of completion and are then eligible for continued assistance through ongoing parent support groups.

     Ø      Session I           Traditional Parenting

Ø      Session II          Lessons of the Storyteller

Ø      Session III        Lessons of the Cradleboard

Ø      Session IV        Harmony in Child Rearing

Ø      Session V         Traditional Behavior Management

Ø      Session VI        Lessons of Mother Nature

Ø      Session VII       Praise in Traditional Parenting

Ø      Session VIII      Choices in Parenting

Child Abuse Prevention