Using Your Tribal Values to develop an Elder Protection Code: A Step-by-Step Guide For Communities, 2nd edition

The Elder Abuse Task Force organized in 2005 to address elder abuse in New Mexico tribes and Pueblos. Through many meetings and discussions, the Task Force realized that rather than develop a model code; a process was needed by which the tribes and Pueblos of New Mexico could develop a code specific to a community’s governance, traditions, and values. Since the process may be applied to many different communities, the Task Force hopes that this workbook will be a resource used throughout Indian Country. The purpose of this workbook is to protect elders from abuse in their communities. This workbook proposes that each community develop a process to address the particular elder protection needs within that community. The result of such a process could be the development of a code or law to address the protection of the community’s elders. However, many steps can be taken to address community issues, and just beginning the dialogue is a very positive step. If a code is not immediately developed, policies can be developed to address elder protection. The sky is the limit, but it is presumed that any journey to the sky will begin on the ground

Community partnership to affect substance abuse among Native American adolescents

Background: Substance abuse is one of the nation\u27s primary health concerns. Native American youth experience higher rates of substance abuse than other youth. There is little empirical evidence that exists concerning the use of culturally-based interventions among Native American adolescents. Objectives: This study used a community-based participatory research approach to develop and evaluate an innovative school-based cultural intervention targeting substance abuse among a Native American adolescent population. Methods: A two-condition quasi-experimental study design was used to compare the Cherokee Talking Circle (CTC) culturally-based intervention condition (n 92) with the Be A Winner Standard Education (SE) condition (n 87). Data were collected at pre-intervention, immediate post-intervention, and 90-day post-intervention using the Cherokee Self-Reliance Questionnaire, Global Assessment of Individual Needs Quick, and Written Stories of Stress measures. Results: Significant improvements were found among all measurement outcomes for the CTC culturally-based intervention. Conclusions: The data provide evidence that a Native American adolescent culturally-based intervention was significantly more effective for the reduction of substance abuse and related problems than a noncultural-based intervention. Scientific Significance: This study suggests that cultural considerations may enhance the degree to which specific interventions address substance abuse problems among Native American adolescents. © 2012 Informa Healthcare USA, Inc