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Do you or someone you know need a mammogram or annual exam?  The Montana Breast and Cervical Health Program offers free or low-cost mammograms and annual exams to those who meet certain age and income guidelines!  For more information contact Sara at Partnership Health Center or by phone at 258-4167 on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays!



 

There are 3 Native American 12 Step Meetings 

Inter-tribal Circle of Recovery, Fridays at 8 P.M., Unity Church, 546 South Avenue W.,(Basement).

Talking Circle, Saturdays at 8 P.M.,  Unity Church, 546 South Avenue W.,(Basement).

Open Pathways to Recovery, Mondays at 7:30 P.M., Spirit of Peace Church 506 Toole Ave.

 

 Native American foster parents needed for Native youth in out of home placement.  

If you are interested in becoming a licensed foster parent family and 

would like more information for how to become a foster parent(s) please contact

 Shar Peppenger at Dan Fox Foster Care & Adoption Program, 543-3632 

or Loretta Rotellini at Child & Family services, 523-4100.  

 

 

 

DIABETES PROGRAM FITNESS

 

The Missoula Indian Center Diabetes Program has a referral agreement with the Body Shop and the YMCA for fitness activities.  Unfortunately this is such a popular program that we are not sponsoring any new memberships at this time.  There is one exception to this rule and that is for people with diabetes.  If you have diabetes and want to participate in a fitness program come to the office for a referral. 

 

For those of you who are current members of the YMCA through the Diabetes Program there are some rules that we have had to implement because of continued problems with billing.  In order to alleviate this problem we will not be giving out vouchers past the last day of the month.  This means that you have to pick up your November voucher by the end of October which is the 31^st.  If you do not come in to get your voucher by the last day of the month you have the option of paying for your membership (out of pocket expense from you to the YMCA) for that month.  We will pay the next month if you come in and get your voucher by the end of the month.  This is a one time chance if you do not pick up your voucher a second time you will be dropped from the program. 

 

 RISK FACTORS FOR DEVELOPING DIABETES

                                                                             People are more likely to develop diabetes if they:

 

                                                  *are heavy                                                        *are a woman with a waist size > 35 inches

                                                  *are inactive                                                     *are a man with a waist size > 40 inches

                                                 *are over the age of 30                                     *have one or both parents with diabetes

                                                 *have family members with diabetes           *had diabetes while you were pregnant

 

 

 KNOW THE SYMPTOMS OF DIABETES

                                                                               *tired all of the time                              *always thirsty

                                                                               *frequent urination                                *sores/wounds that do not heal

                                                                               *blurry vision                                        *sexual problems

                                                                               *vaginal infections                                 *numb or tingling feet

                                                                               *sudden weight loss                              *always hungry

 

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms come to the office and have your blood sugar level checked.  It is a simple finger poke and in less than a minute you get the results.  A normal blood sugar level runs between 70 and 100 and it is best to test at least two hours after you have had anything to eat or in the morning before you have had anything to eat.

 

Those who show high blood sugar levels are asked to come back to get it checked again.  If the blood sugar level shows high again we will refer you to Partnership Health Center for diabetes screening.

 

 

MANAGING YOUR TYPE 2 DIABETES – IMPORTANT TESTS AND EXAMS

 

Blood Tests:                                                                               Other Tests and Exams:

                                                            *A1c (glycated hemoglobin)                              *dilated eye exam – yearly

                                                                                                                                            - every 3 months if treatment changes            

                                                            *weight – each regular diabetes visit                      or patient is not meeting goals

                                                           *blood pressure – each regular diabetes visit

                                                           - at least 2 times/year if stable                            *foot exams – check feet at each doctor visit

                                                           *lipid profile – yearly (less frequently                     - comprehensive foot exam at least yearly

                                                                    if normal)                                                          (more often in patients with high risk foot

                                                            *microalbumin measurement- yearly (if indicated)             conditions)

 

 

DO YOU HAVE DIABETES AND DO NOT HAVE ANY HEALTH COVERAGE?

 

If you are Native American with diabetes and do not have health insurance the Missoula Indian Center Diabetes Program has funds available to pay for regular diabetes care.

We have a referral agreement with Partnership Health Center our Community Health Center.  We also provide transportation to Tribal Health in St. Ignatius to access pharmacy, dental and medical services.  If you are not signed up for services at Tribal Health yet it is a good idea to do it right away.  We have applications available in the Health Program at the Center.

 

 

Project Action

Project Action, currently a substance abuse prevention program, has been in the high schools in Missoula since December of 2002.  It is a federally funded program through Missoula County Public Schools, Turning Point and the Missoula Indian Center.  There are currently four counselors, one in each of the high schools to help students and families deal with substance abuse issues.  Jennifer Tverraa, is the counselor at Willard High School.  Her duties involve individual counseling, groups and family therapy.  Project Action sponsors two beading classes, helps with the Willard Native Culture Group, the Sentinel Indian Club and offers other activities.  Some of those activities involve fry bread sales on Fridays, fund raising at community events and selling of craft items to community members.  For further information, contact the Project Action counselor at your child’s high school.

 

       

The Missoula Indian Center HIV/AIDS program continues to provide FREE and anonymous testing , and you get a free T-Shirt when you test. We also do education in the community, at High schools, and community events. Anyone wanting any information about HIV/AIDS, or STD’s please contact Karen Neumiller at 829-9515

 

  

  MONTANA CANCER CONTROL COALITION

 

A Plan to Reduce Cancer in Montana

 

As most of us know, significant progress has been made in improving cancer prevention, early detection, treatment, quality of life, and survivability.  Yet, despite these many advances, cancer continues to cause too much death and heartache in Montana.

 

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in Montana, taking the lives of over 1,800 Montanans each year.  An estimated 5,000 new cancer cases will be diagnosed annually, and the economic burden of cancer in Montana exceeds $588 million annually.  Certainly, there is more that can be done.

 

Rates among American Indians tend to be higher than rates among all other races and American Indian men exhibit the highest incidence of all Montanans.

 

More is being done.

 

   CHIP PROGRAM

 

More children to be enrolled in CHIP and new, easier CHIP Application.

 

The Children’s Health Insurance Plan (CHIP) began increasing its enrollment that began July 1, 2005.  Due in large part to the passage of the Tobacco Tax Increase last fall and support by Governor Schweitzer and the legislature, additional funding will allow CHIP to cover more children above the current enrollment of 10,900.

 

 

CHIP eliminated the waiting list July 1, 2005.  Newly eligible children will receive coverage beginning the first of the following month after their application has been approved.  The goal is to enroll an additional 3,000 children.

 

CHIP created a new application!  It will be a four-page application that will be simpler, quicker, and easier for families to understand.  We have applications available here at MIC.

 

If you have any questions about the CHIP Program, please call toll-free at 1-877-543-7669 or e-mail at chip@mt.gov or visit the website at www.chip.mt.gov.