Apply to become an Elder/Mentor to a BHA student today!
Please contact Katie Hunsberger, BHA Program Manager at khunserger@npaihb.org for more information.
Gathering of NW Elders, Knowledge Holders & Culture Keepers
The Behavioral Health Aide Program (BHAP) at the Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board (NPAIHB) would like to invite and welcome elders, knowledge holders, and culture keepers to join us in providing support to Behavioral Health Aides (BHAs) working in their Tribal communities. It is our intent to create a community of support for our BHAs to assist in their learning journey as they begin to provide behavioral health and prevention services within our communities.
We are seeking your wisdom, leadership, and experience to help guide how BHAs learn, share, and sustain culture within their communities. During these gatherings, we hope to weave your Indigenous ways of knowing with students in the development of the education curriculum. Students and mentors will share in this learning journey using this knowledge to 1) increase access to quality behavioral healthcare, and 2) help create a wraparound system of care that is unique to their tribes and communities. These Gatherings will soon be on Indian Country ECHO platforms, which will feature didactics and case presentations for BHAs.
NW Elders ECHO Sessions
Each month, Indian Country ECHO offers an NW Elders ECHO session with a multidisciplinary team focused on creating space for elders and knowledge keepers to connect and support one another. The program provides traditional and clinical education and support to DHAs, BHAs, community health students and providers.