Health and Wellness

Courage does not always “roar” sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying “get up again tomorrow and try again”

Cwelcwelt Center
5973 Old Highway
Chase, BC V0E 1M0

 

T: 250 679 3295
F: 250 679 3288
TF: 1 800 817 1311

Melamen Center
421 First Nations Road
Salmon Arm, BC V1E 2Z6

 

T: 250 833 0202
F: 250 833 0990

Health and Wellness

Our wellness programs aim to promote physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being and healing.  Healthy families create healthy communities. Programs and services that are offered out of both our Cwelcwelt Centre and Melamen Centre.

Contact: Community Health Representative

E: communityhealth@neskonlith.net

T: 250 679 3295 ext 234

Neskonlith’s CHR plays a vital role in our Prenatal Nutrition Program to improve the health of mothers and infants by supporting community members to:

  • Promote and educate how pregnant moms can eat well so our babies have the best chance to be healthy at birth and throughout their lives
  • Promote and educate how to properly Breastfeed babies for up to two years and beyond
  • Promote and educate how to introduce healthy solid foods at 6 months of age, while continuing breastfeeding

Traditionally, it is known that what a pregnant mother surrounds herself with will affect their baby. Extensive research tells us that pregnant mothers who eat healthy, nutritious food supports long-term health of both mother and baby, also can help reduce the risk of chronic diseases like diabetes. Should you need the Prenatal Nutrition Program we encourage making an appointment, you may call or email the Community Health Representative to arrange an appointment that fits your schedule.

Contact: Community Health Representative

E: communityhealth@neskonlith.net

T: 250 679 3295 ext 234

The Children’s Oral Health Initiative (COHI) is an early childhood tooth decay prevention program for children aged 0-7.  Services are also available for the children’s parents and caregivers, and pregnant women. A dental therapist or dental hygienist will be scheduled and our COHI aide to deliver this program is our Community Health Representative.  

COHI services may include:

  • Annual screening
  • Fluoride varnish applications
  • Sealants and temporary fillings

The Community Health Representative supports the dental professional and may be able to provide some COHI services independently.  The services provided by COHI aides include: obtaining authorization from families to enroll children in COHI; giving one-on-one oral health education to children and adults; and doing community health promotion.

COHI supports and encourages families to make oral health and oral care a regular part of family life, and to make healthy choices in caring for their young children. Families receive excellent resources from our Community Health Representative.

Should you need the COHI Program we encourage making an appointment, you may call or email the Community Health Representative to arrange an appointment that fits your schedule.

Contact: Community Health Representative

E: communityhealth@neskonlith.net

T: 250 679 3295 ext 234

Neskonlith’s CHR runs the Diabetes programming.   This initiative provides ongoing education to increase awareness, increase knowledge of risk factors, ways to prevent diabetes, and provide access to health promotion initiatives targeted at diabetes prevention such as screening and management.

Objectives

  • Increase awareness of diabetes, diabetes risk factors and complications as well as ways to prevent diabetes and diabetes complications in Neskonlith Community.  
  • Support activities targeting healthy eating and food security.
  • Increase physical activity as a healthy living practice.
  • Increase the early detection and screening for complications of diabetes in Neskonlith Community.
  • Increase our member’s capacity to prevent and self-manage diabetes.  Assist and recommend health providers to support members towards effective diabetes care.

Should you need the Diabetes Program we encourage making an appointment, you may call or email the Community Health Representative to arrange an appointment that fits your schedule.

Contact: Family Support/Social Worker

E: familysupport@neskonlith.net   

Emergency: 778 220 9488

T: 250 679 3295 ext 229

The Family Support Worker works for Neskonlith, in collaboration with the Ministry of Children and Family Development (“MCFD”), and Secwepemc Child & Family while supporting families and children that are at risk or involved with Child Welfare.  With ongoing intervention, prevention, education, and support to the families and children. Family Supports mandate is to reduce and improve outcomes for children and families involved with both MCFD and SC&F.

Family Support has an Emergency Line, set in place to support families in Emergency Situation or Emergent Child Welfare Occurrences.   Should you need all other Family Support services we encourage making an appointment, you may call or email the Family Support/Social Worker to arrange an appointment that fits your schedule.

Funeral Assistance

Contact: Wellness Director 

E: wellnessdirector@neskonlith.net  

T: 250 679 3295 ext 230

Neskonlith provides assistance to our Members when a family experiences the loss of a loved one. Neskonlith has implemented a Funeral Donation Policy to assist our community in these most difficult times.

The Next of Kin of deceased will be required to appoint a Designated Representative or Family Spokesperson to deal with all funeral services.  The Next of Kin and/or Designated Representative/Spokesperson first step is to gather all information needed and meet with NIB’s Social Development Intake worker.

Available assistance

Travel Costs for the immediate surviving family of the deceased Neskonlith Member by providing a financial subsidy up to a maximum payout of $500.

Wake Food Costs Financial assistant for the use of supplementing food costs for the wake, up to a maximum of $500

Funeral Food Costs Financial assistant for the use of supplementing food costs for the funeral, up to a maximum of $500

Non-Member Donation: Financial assistant for any community member residing in Neskonlith community and is not a Neskonlith Band Member we provide a financial subsidy up to a maximum of $500.

All Funeral Donations will be released to Appointed Family Representative or Spokesperson

PDF: Funeral Checklist

PDF: Neskonlith Funeral Donation Request

Should you need assistant with Funeral Services we encourage the Next of Kin or Family Representative to make an appointment, you may call or email the Communications Coordinator to arrange an appointment that fits your schedule.

SA 108 Assistance

Contact: Band Social Development Worker

E: BSDW@neskonlith.net

T: 250 679 3295 ext 215

NIB’s Band Social Development Worker is the only person qualified to submit an SA 108 form to INAC.  The process is to bring below information to our Band Social Development Worker to fill out an SA 108 form.  These documents are used to verify if deceased is eligible for INAC funding.  INAC has a very specific funeral donation policy.  Neskonlith must follow INAC’s guidelines in order to get the following donations reimbursed from INAC.

Required Information of deceased:

  • Full Legal Name of deceased
  • Birth Certificate of deceased
  • Primary Address of deceased
  • Name of Next of Kin
  • Next of Kin’s final decision regarding funeral arrangements and services
  • Statement of cost of funeral costs
  • Most recent Bank Statement of Deceased

This information is needed to fill out SA 108 Form

Should you need assistant with the SA 108 Form we encourage the Next of Kin or Family Representative to make an appointment, you may call or email the Band Social Development Worker to arrange an appointment that fits your schedule.

 

Contact: Home and Community Care Nurse

E: HCCN@neskonlith.net

T: 250 679 3295 ext 228

Home and Community Care Program that enables On-Reserve First Nations people of all ages with disabilities, chronic or acute illnesses to receive care and support in their homes and communities.  Service delivery is based on assessed need and a case management plan is created and followed. Essential services may include:

  • Client assessment, Record Keeping, and Data Collecting
  • Home care nursing​
  • Case management
  • Home support (personal care and home management)
  • In-home respite
  • Referrals to other needed health and social services
  • Access to specialized medical equipment and supplies

All services required to establish a function Home Care Plan is overseen by the Home and Community Care Nurse, additional services may be provided, depending on funding availability.

Support services may include, but are not limited to: rehabilitation and other therapies; adult day care; meal programs; in-home mental health; in-home palliative care; and specialized health promotion, wellness and fitness.

Should you need the Home and Community Care Program we encourage making an appointment, you may call or email the

Contact: Membership Clerk

E: membership@neskonlith.net

Neskonlith has a Membership Clerk.  2 year Status Cards are on back-order and has been sometime since we have been able to offer Status renewals.  So here at Neskonlith we are moving into doing Secure Status Cards.

Secure Status Card Process:

  • Fill out Secure Status Card Application
  • Get 2 passport photo’s taken
  • Make an appointment with Membership Clerk:
  • To get Passport Application Guaranteed
  • Membership Clerk will mail out Status Card Application

 

PDF-Secure Status-15 & Younger

PDF: Secure Status-16 & Older

Should you need any other assistant with Membership Services we encourage making an appointment, you may call or email the Membership Clerk to arrange an appointment that fits your schedule.

Contact: Community Health Nurse

E: Allison.dickenson@fnha.ca

T: 250 679 3295 ext 214

The Community Health Nurse (CHN) works out of both our Wellness Centre’s 10 days every month, and is provided by the FNHA Program.  The CHN focus is Preventative Health and Wellness. The CHN works with our health care team to provide services and education to our community.  Services can be accessed by anyone living on or off reserve, or even just visiting our community. The following are some of the services the CHN provides:

  • Routine Immunizations for all ages, including flu vaccinations
  • Tuberculosis Testing
  • Diabetes Education
  • Pre-pregnancy, Pregnancy, and Post-Pregnancy Care
  • Baby Weights
  • Infant and Child Development Screening and Teaching
  • Healthy Eating (Children’s Vitamins)
  • Communicable Diseases
  • Sexually Transmitted Infections/HIV Training

Should you need the Community Health Nurse we encourage making an appointment, you may call or email the Community Health Nurse to arrange an appointment that fits your schedule.

Contact: NNADAP Worker

E: nnadaphealth@neskonlith.net

T: 250 679 3295 ext 204

Individuals and families who are experiencing addictions may request counselling and/or support. This may include individual, family, or group support.  

  • Support services may include:
  • Referrals to treatment
  • Aftercare for clients
  • Prevention Workshops
  • Support and information about Addictions
  • Support and information about Suicide Prevention, Substance use, Anxiety, Depression, Indian Residential Effects, and Intergenerational Trauma

Should you need the Addiction Counselling Services we encourage making an appointment, you may call or email the NNADAP Worker to arrange an appointment that fits your schedule.

Contact: Community Health Representative

E: communityhealth@neskonlith.net

T: 250 679 3295 ext 234

The FNHA Health Benefits program provides Patient Travel to access medical services covered under the BC Medical Services Plan (MSP) or the FNHA Health Benefits Program.  Patient Travel provides access to medical services with the nearest appropriate health care professional or the nearest appropriate health care facility. The most economical and efficient means of travel will be used.  While also considering Urgency of your situation and your medical condition.

To qualify for Patient Travel benefits under the FNHA Health Benefits Program, you must meet the FNHA eligibility requirements:

  • A Registered Status Indian according to the Indian Act OR;
  • Infant (up to 1 year old) of an Eligible Registered Status Indian Parent
  • Resident of British Columbia based on the Medical Service Plan
  • Not funded or insured under any other benefit system or benefit plans

Provide the following documents:

  • Referral from a General Practitioner or Family Doctor

Pdf: Patient Travel Policy

  • Confirmation of appointment from the health care provider or facility

Pdf: Confirmation of Scheduled Appointment

  • Confirmation of attendance of appointment from your health care provider or facility

Once travel has been completed

 

IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER

Monday: Submit Patient Travel Request for processing by 3:00 pm

Tuesday: CHR will submit Patient Travel Request to Finance Department

Thursday: Approved Patient Travel cheques will be released

Patient Travel Responsibilities:  

 

  • Get prior approval for all non-emergency trips
    • Only exception is a medical emergency (not pre-planned, life or death travel)
  • Must give 5-10 days’ notice before leaving the community
    • This avoids last minute confusion and gives enough time to make travel arrangements
  • Obtain all necessary paperwork before leaving the community
    • Request for Patient Travel
    • Confirmation of Scheduled Appointment
  • Attend Medical Appointment as scheduled
  • Get a signed/stamped Confirmation of attendance (COA) from your doctor or nurse confirming that you have attended your medical appointment.
  • Signed Confirmation of Appointment must be returned to Community Health Representative
  • Protect all original Purchase Orders issued to you for your medical trip
    • Please note that Purchase Orders will not be reissued if lost or stolen
  • If cancelling Appointment. Provide 24 hours’ notice to cancel hotel arrangements.
  • Collect and submit all required receipts.
How do I access my Patient Travel benefits? And how does payment work? 

 

  1. Book an appointment for a specialty doctor located outside of Chase/Salmon Arm.
  2. Contact Community Health Representative, to see if you are eligible.
  3. If eligible, then submit the following 5-10 days before appointment:  
  • Patient Travel Request
  • Confirmation of appointment
  • Relevant referral documents and other supporting medical documents
  1. Community Health Representative will review your request.
  2. If approved, travel arrangements will be made.  Using the most economical and efficient means of transportation, taking into account the urgency of your situation and your medical condition.
  3. Once travel arrangements are made, the travel itinerary is forwarded to you.

Including any purchase orders, and a confirmation of attendance form.

  1. Attend appointment as scheduled.
  2. Get the Doctor’s office to sign/stamp and date the confirmation of attendance (COA) for the appointment.
  3. Once home, return completed confirmation of attendance form to Community Health Representative. This completes the file for the Appointment.  
  4. If other appointments are needed, be aware you need to follow the entire process 1-9 for every appointment.  

Should you need Patient Travel we encourage making an appointment, you may call or email the Community Health Representative to arrange an appointment that fits your schedule.

Contact: Band Social Development Worker

E: BSDW@neskonlith.net

T: 250 679 3295 ext 230

Social Assistance includes funds for: 

  • Basic needs (such as food, clothing, and rent and utilities allowance)
  • Special needs (such as essential household items, personal incidentals and doctor-recommended diets)
  • Pre-employment and employment support to assist moving individuals toward self-sufficiency (such as life skills and job training)

Social Assistance program is a last resort for eligible individuals and their families.  Individuals should be Status and live on reserve. Individuals should be Eligible for Basic or Special Financial Assistance.  Individuals must demonstrate they have no other source of funding to meet basic needs.

What do you bring to your first appointment?

  • Your Identity (who you are)
  • Your Financial Situation (How much money you have, and what your Bills are)

To do this please bring with you:

  • One piece of Primary (Photo) ID for you, and your Spouse
    • Driver’s License, BC ID, Indian Status Card
  • One piece of Secondary ID for you, and your Spouse
    • Birth Certificate, BC Care Card/BC Services Card, Credit Card, Original Citizenship papers
  • One piece of ID for each Dependant Child
    • Birth Certificate, BC Care Card/BC Services Card
  • Social Insurance Number Card SIN Card
  • An up-to-date band statement (if you have a Bank Account)
  • Recent Rent, Fuel and Utility Bills
  • Statement showing recent income
    • Pay Stubs
  • Documents about your Workers’ Compensation or Employment Insurance benefits
  • Documents about your assets
    • Things you own such as your car, house, or boat

Take as many these documents as possible with you to your appointment.  If you can’t find them all before your appointment, apply anyway. You will need to get them to your worker to finish applying.  

Should you require Social Assistance longer than a one month period must ensure you meet qualifications deadlines:

  • Renewals Form-Due 20th of Each Month

Pdf: Renewals Form

  • Children Out of Parental Home Renewal Form-Due 20th of Each Month

Pdf: Children Out of Parental Home Renewel Form

  • Work Search-Due 20th of Each Month

Pdf: Work Search Form

Should you need temporary Social Assistance we encourage making an appointment, you may call or email the Band Social Development Worker to arrange an appointment that fits your schedule.

Organization Chart