Health &
Family services

We are proud to provide health and family services to our community members.

Health and Family Services

The Gwa'sala-'Nakwaxda'xw Health & Family Services Department provides health care and family services to Gwa'sala-'Nakwaxda'xw community members. Our many teams provide programs and services according to their mandates.

Rosie Dugas

Director of Health and Child and Family Services

Thelma Nolie

Receptionist

Vonita Hill

Office Manager

Child and Family Services

Bette Belanger

Namima Case Worker

Henrietta Coffie

Namima Case Worker

Nora Funk

Family Support Worker

Maggie Jack

Family Support Worker

Darryl Coon

Youth Team Lead

Wes Walkus

Youth Cultural Worker

Leroy Wiks

Youth Engagement Worker

Kayla Fernandes

Youth Counsellor

Community Health

Jessica Hawley- MacLeod

Community Health Nurse

Alex Oyesiku

Addictions Counsellor

Jolene Jack

Aunty Support Worker

Nana Nyintsoe

Mental Health Outreach Worker

Valena George

Janitor

Home and Community Care

Cassidy Walkus

Elder’s Coordinator

Echo May

Registered Care Aid

Chelsey Johnny

Registered Care Aid

Sally George

Homemaker

Gwa'dzi Managed Alcohol Program

Maureen Hanuse

Team Lead

Eileen Rufus

Outreach Worker

Helen Nguyen

Registered Nurse

Alice Munn

Outreach Worker

Jade McComber

Registered Nurse

Elizabeth Lytwyn

Outreach Worker

Ḵ̓wa̱la'sta Healing Centre

Cathie Wilson

Healing Centre Manager

Crystal Walkus

Lead Healing Facilitator

Shannon Henderson

Healing Facilitator

Charlene Cook

Elder/Facilitator

Jill Laviolette

Guest Support Worker

Ally Henderson

Guest Support Worker

Ravena Coon

Community Liaison Worker

Taylor Masales

Intake Coordinator

Maternal Child Health

Debbie Pickwick

Maternal Child and Health Team Lead

Patricia Walkus

Maternal Child and Health Worker

Robin King

Maternal Child and Health Worker

Diana Charlie

Maternal Child and Health Worker

Melissa Allen

Jordan’s Principle Coordinator

Eleanor Wilson

Jordan’s Principle Coordinator

Stephanie Nelson

Building Blocks Coordinator

Dale Kneller

Building Blocks Facilitator

Tracy Dick

Outreach Worker

Scarlet Stevens

Support Worker

Laura Joe

Outreach Worker

DEPARTMENT GOALS

The primary task of our department is to serve the Gwa’sala-‘Nakwaxda’xw Nations members.  Our top priority is the safety and well-being of children.

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DEPARTMENT Services
We have a number of services that directly contribute to the health and well-being of our community.

Our Department is the delegated authority within the Nationa structure to provide these services, in accordance with our funding agreements from the First Nations Health Authority, the Ministry for Children & Family Services, and others. Services are provided according to the regulations of professional bodies (e.g. the College of Nurses), and other relevant legislation.

Department Resources
  • The Community Health Team is responsible for the following activities:
    Immunizations of pre-school children – ongoing throughout the year (CCP Health Goal 3)
  • Immunizations of school-aged children – ongoing throughout the year (CCP Health Goal 3)
  • School Head checks and Nurse visits to school – ongoing throughout the year (CCP Health Goal 5)
  • Pediatrician Clinic – (CCP Health Goal 3)
  • Optometrist Clinic – (CCP Health Goal 3)
  • Vision Clinic – (CCP Health Goal 3)
  • TB Testing at the clinic for individuals (and follow up tracking & medication administration if required) (CCP Health Goal 3)
  • Coordinating weekly appointments with the Nurse Practitioner and Physicians in our office (CCP Health Goal 3)
  • Nurse appointments for confidential services for Healthy Life Choices, Pregnancy testing & Counselling, PAP tests, male & female STI testing, birth control, emergency contraception (CCP Health Goal 3)
  • Flu shot clinics (Elders, community, staff) – (CCP Health Goal 3)
  • Nurse clinical appointments – visits for support around community health issues, education, follow, and referrals.
  • Services to Diabetics – educational workshops, cooking workshops, referrals for footcare/eyecare/etc.
  • Medical Transportation Program – providing a supplement to eligible community members who live on reserve, and off reserve members who live in the Port Hardy area, and who must travel out of the area for medical appointments.
  • Youth activities such as workshops, field trips, youth conferences, and fun activities – for educational purposes and alternatives to at risk activities.

The Maternal Child Health Team is responsible for (CCP social issues 2):

  • Prenatal education
  • Nutrition during pregnancy education
  • Support for birth planning
  • Infant Development assessments
  • Referrals to specialized support services when required
  • Child development support
  • Education/Support for breastfeeding
  • Nutrition for young children education

These are carried out through the following activities:

  • Pre-natal group (CCP social issues 2)
  • Cultural playgroup/Baby (CCP Culture goal 3)
  • Distributing food to pre-natal mothers (CCP social issues 2)
  • Cooking classes (CCP social issues 2)
  • Individual parent/family visits (CCP social issues 2)
  • Ages & Stages Child Development assessments (CCP social issues 2)
  • Referrals for developmental supports (CCP social issues 2)

The MCH staff also deliver the COHI program which consists of providing varnishing to children’s teeth as a measure to prevent tooth
decay. The program also brings up a dental hygienist periodically to examine teeth. Referrals are made for dental care if needed.
This is done for children attending our Gwa’sala-‘Nakwaxda’xw school. (CCP social issues 2)

The Home & Community Care Team monitors and provides care to Chronically ill community members. This includes:

  • Carry out hospital approved discharge plans
  • Monitor and assess chronically ill patients referred by physicians
  • Provide direct nursing services as directed by physician
  • Provide Footcare services to clients referred by physician
  • Work with the Elder’s Coordinator to provide Elder activities

MAP is a harm reduction strategy that may reduce consumption of alcohol and non-beverage alcohol resulting in fewer Emergency Department visits and hospital admissions while improving the health of individuals who are suffering from alcohol use disorder. MAPs are also useful for patients who are at risk for seizures and over-intoxication. 

Managed alcohol (MA) offers healthcare practitioners an opportunity to form a therapeutic relationship with patients who might have had past negative healthcare experiences. 

Goals of Providing Managed Alcohol 

  • Prevent withdrawal, 
  • Maintain or reduce alcohol in-take, 
  • Reduce non-beverage alcohol consumption, 
  • Reduce health risks and other harms, and 
  • Promote safer use through harm reduction education and self-management. 
  1. Focus is on harm reduction, peer, self-management, and education on safer drinking 
  2. Low barrier to prevent harms and increase ability of individuals to stay at home and isolate 
  3. Ideal for chronic daily users who are low to mild/moderate risk for complicated withdrawal and are able to self-manage their consumption

The Integrated Case Management team is responsible for providing Family functioning and wellness supports. This includes:

  • Addictions Counseling
  • Referrals to treatment centres
  • Mental Health Counseling
  • Mental Health Outreach
  • Suicide Responses
  • Support to families during MCFD investigations
  • Follow up teaching/education/supports to families with MCFD involvement
  • Coordination of ‘Na̱mima̱ or family meetings to develop plans to support children or families with MCFD involvement
  • Support to individuals or families involved with the court system

North Island Building Blocks Program is an outreach and support program that assists children, youth, and their families to identify, express, prioritize and achieve their personal goals in a positive way. The primary focus is on parents of young children. The Building Blocks program is operated by the Gwa’sala-‘Nakwaxda’xw Child & Family Services but serves all residents of the Mt.Waddington Regional area, aboriginal and non-aboriginal.