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NACA Board Meeting June 16th 2021

Native Americans for Community Action, Inc.

Monthly Meeting of the Board of Directors

Virtual Meeting over Zoom Platform

June 16, 2021 at 5:30 p.m.

Meeting ID: 983 4236 9182

Passcode: 065038

AGENDA

Notice is hereby given to the members of the Board of Directors and to the general public that the Board of Directors, Native Americans for Community Action, Inc. will hold a Board Meeting. The Native Americans for Community Action, Inc. Board of Directors may vote to go into Executive Session, which will not be open to the public, to discuss certain matters.

Call to Order:

REGULAR MEETING

Roll Call: Board Members

Liv Knoki, President Carmenlita Chief, Vice-President Juliette Roddy, Treasurer

Celia Barotz, Secretary Jacque Gencarelle Larry Etcitty

NACA Mission Statement:

The mission of Native Americans for Community Action, Inc., is to provide preventive wellness strategies, empower, and advocate for Native people and others in need to create a healthy community based on Harmony, Respect, and Indigenous Values.

1. Prayer -

2. Agenda – Adoption of the agenda, as submitted, is recommended. (ACTION)

June 16, 2021 Board Agenda

3. Minutes – Approval of Minutes (ACTION) – Estimate 3 minutes:

May 19, 2021 Board Minutes

4. Public Participation

5. Announcements (NON-ACTION) –

New NACA Staff: Jacqueline Kelly, Accounting Technician

6. Consent Items (ACTION/NON-ACTION)

Items for consideration, discussion, direction, and possible approval. Items on consent agenda are considered routine and unless otherwise indicated, expenditures approved by the Board are budgeted items.

A. Presentation and Acceptance of “FY 2020 Financial Audit and 990 Report” (ACTION) – Andrew Gill and Colette Kamp, Henry and Horne

B. Review and Approval of “NACA Organizational Chart Change” (ACTION) – Cynthia Little, Human Resources Director

8. Regular Items (ACTION/NON-ACTION)

Financial Report:

· May 2021 Financial Report (ACTION) - Gerald Clark, CFO

B. CEO/NACA Program Reports (NON-ACTION)

9. Old Business

A. NACA COVID-19 Operational Plan Update – All Participants

B. NACA 50th Anniversary Planning Committee Update

C. 2021 NACA Strategic Planning Work Session Date Selection

10. New Business

A. Navajo Area IHS Site Visit Report – Jeff Axtell, CEO

B. Association of Diabetes Care and Education Accreditation – Sheila Walsh, RD

C. L.I.F.E. Summer Events – Carrie Dallas

D. Return to NACA Board In-Person Meetings Discussion

Next Board Meeting Date: July 21, 2021

Adjournment of Meeting:

NACA Board Meeting April 21st

Native Americans for Community Action, Inc

Monthly Meeting of the Board of Directors

Virtual Meeting over Zoom Platform

April 21, 2021 at 5:30 p.m.

Meeting ID: 934 4059 6329

Passcode: 987591

AGENDA

Call to Order:

REGULAR MEETING

Roll Call: Board Members

Liv Knoki, President Carmenlita Chief, Vice-President Juliette Roddy, Treasurer

Celia Barotz, Secretary Jacque Gencarelle Larry Etcitty

NACA Mission Statement:

1. Prayer -

2. Agenda – Adoption of the agenda, as submitted, is recommended. (ACTION)

April 21, 2021 Board Agenda

3. Minutes – Approval of Minutes (ACTION) – Estimate 3 minutes:

March 24, 2021 Board Minutes

4. Public Participation

5. Announcements (NON-ACTION) –

New NACA Staff: Tavanne Sousa, Director of Operations; Aldin Tunney, Outpatient Coder;

Sara Sprague, Garden Resource Worker;

6. Consent Items (ACTION/NON-ACTION)

A. Review and Approval of the “HP Community Health Representatives Policy and Procedures” (ACTION) – Tenillya Cody, Interim Health Promotion Manager

B. Review and Approval of “BH Policy # 130 Treatment Planning” (ACTION) – Curtis Randolph, Behavioral Health Director

C. Review and Approval of “Revised HR #113 Chain of Command” - (ACTION) – Cynthia Little, HR Director

D. Review and Approval of “HR #213 Immunization Policy” - (ACTION) - Jeff Axtell, CEO

7. Regular Items (ACTION/NON-ACTION)

Financial Report:

· March 2021 Financial Report (ACTION) - Gerald Clark, CFO

B. CEO/NACA Program Reports (NON-ACTION)

8. Old Business

A. NACA COVID-19 Operational Plan Update – All Participants

B. NACA 50th Anniversary Planning Committee – Liv Knoki, Board President

C. 2021 NACA Strategic Planning Work Session

9. New Business

A. NACA Scholarship Program – Tallerita Rogers, Community Development Director

B. Community Development Block Grant - Tallerita Rogers, Community Development Director

Next Board Meeting Date: May Board Meeting – May 19, 2021

Adjournment of Meeting:

10. Executive Session:

Letter to the Editor: NACA expresses gratitude for donation, support as it celebrates 50th year

n behalf of the entire Native Americans for Community Action (NACA) organization, we extend our sincere appreciation to Desert Financial Credit Union and the Fiesta Bowl for the very generous donation of $10,000. We intend to use this funding as seed money to support the vital work of our NACA Unsheltered Relatives Task Force, which strives to advocate for, and provide culturally responsive resources to, Indigenous relatives experiencing unsheltered realities in Flagstaff.

The timing of this charitable gift could not be more perfect as NACA prepares to celebrate its 50th anniversary advocating for the Indigenous community while providing holistic healthcare, including COVID-19 vaccinations and wellness and supportive services, to the greater Northern Arizona community. In the coming months we will announce the schedule of events to mark this important milestone. We warmly welcome everyone in Flagstaff and beyond to join us in this celebration and learn more about NACA’s exceptional and important work over the past 50 years and into the future.

LIV KNOKI, president of the board; CARMENLITA CHIEF, vice president; JULIETTE RODDY, treasurer; Celia Barotz, secretary; JACQUE GENCARELLE, board member; LARRY ETCITTY, board member

https://azdailysun.com/opinion/letters/letter-to-the-editor-naca-expresses-gratitude-for-donation-support-as-it-celebrates-50th-year/article_42764dfd-33ab-5e70-8b8c-e3d99393a52d.html#tncms-source=login

Flagstaff proposes new alternate response center

The City of Flagstaff and Flagstaff Police Department are aiming to reduce the number of arrests related to intoxication, mental health and petty crimes by implementing an alternate response program run by a social service agency, but the effort has several local service providers concerned over the city’s process for developing the proposal and the direction they are taking.

And some local service providers say the city appears to be moving forward without a clear idea of what they want.

Likewise, providers say the city is moving forward without having consulted the critical stakeholders being impacted, or those currently on the ground doing social service work with unsheltered populations who appear to be the program’s main targets.

Earlier this month, the city released a request for proposals to social service agencies related to the proposed alternate response. The request asked agencies to propose a program that would create either a new brick and mortar care center, a mobile response unit, or both.

The city’s request outlined that a new care center should include an area where law enforcement or firefighters could take community members who may be intoxicated or suffering from mental health problems, many of whom may be unsheltered, to receive care.

The center would also need to provide emergency, daytime and permanent housing.

article continued on the AZ Daily Sun website here:

https://azdailysun.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/local-service-providers-left-with-questions-after-flagstaff-proposes-alt-response-center/article_6c42eab2-e131-5f1b-9ca3-d3588489d071.html

Fiesta Bowl & Desert Financial Donate Big to NACA Flagstaff

As part of its Kindness Arizona Tour, Fiesta Bowl and Desert Financial on Tuesday morning gave a check for $10,000 to the Native Americans for Community Action wellness center. Also, as part of the 24-stop tour across the state, Spirit, the Fiesta Bowl mascot, and staff from the Fiesta Bowl made several stops in Flagstaff to drop off gifts to local organizations.

See pictures and the rest of the article here:

https://azdailysun.com/news/local/fiesta-bowl-desert-financial-donate-big-to-naca-in-flagstaff/collection_17f609f4-a8c5-5850-9a87-67a6e626b03e.html#1

NACA CELEBRATES 50 YEARS OF SERVICE IN 2021 - NEWS RELEASE

Victoria Taylor

Marketing and Public Relations Officer

Native Americans for Community Action

[email protected]

(928) 526-2968

www.nacainc.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 19th, 2021

Native Americans for Community Action, Inc. Celebrates 50th Anniversary in 2021

Agency Achieves Milestone with Intent for Progression, Community Involvement

Flagstaff, Arizona – Native Americans for Community Action, Inc. is celebrating an important community achievement – 50 years in community engagement and services in Flagstaff, Arizona. From the agency’s inception, NACA has strived to be the leader for Indigenous communities with offering a wide array of services for the people in and around the region.

NACA’s CEO Jeff Axtell, reminds us that Native Americans for Community Action continues to focus on servicing and supporting the health and wellbeing of all communities of Northern Arizona with Indigenous values. While NACA begins an enhanced journey of supportive community health and wellness care into the next 50 years, we are sure to dedicate time and energy into cultivating recognition of Native wisdom into all of our efforts.

Please contact Victoria Taylor at [email protected] with further questions or inquiries.

NACA (Native Americans for Community Action Inc.) The mission of Native Americans for Community Action Inc. is to provide preventive wellness strategies, empower, and advocate for Native peoples and others in need to create a healthy community based on Harmony, Respect, and Indigenous Values.

###

Native Americans for Community Action Inc.,

2717 N. Steves Blvd,. Suite 11, Flagstaff, Arizona 86004

The Shot Felt Around the World

“On Tuesday, Dec. 15, medical staff members at Native Americans for Community Action (NACA) began receiving the first round of the Pfizer vaccine. NACA Family Health Center Medical Director Dr. George Hershey, D.O., smiled under his facemask as Verity Quiroz, R.N., administered the shot. He received the second dose on Jan. 5. “Doing my part, as everyone should, to eliminate this dastardly disease!” he said.“

See the full article on Flagstaff Business News here:

https://www.flagstaffbusinessnews.com/the-shot-felt-round-the-world/

#covidvaccine #nativehealth #nativeamerican

COVID-19 Vaccine FAQ

Answers to your most pressing vaccine questions can be found on the IHS and CDC websites here:

https://www.ihs.gov/coronavirus/vaccine/

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/faq.html

Q: What is Operation Warp Speed ? And what is the Indian Health Service’s role?

Operation Warp Speed is a partnership among components of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the National Institutes of Health, and the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, and the Department of Defense. The Operation Warp Speed goal is to produce and deliver 300 million doses of safe and effective vaccines, as part of a broader strategy to accelerate the development, manufacturing, and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics. The CDC is working with other jurisdictions, including state, territorial, tribal, and local public health programs, to coordinate the distribution of COVID-19 vaccine. The CDC also recognizes the Indian Health Service (IHS) as a jurisdiction for the purpose of coordinating the distribution of COVID-19 vaccine. IHS is working with the CDC and Operation Warp Speed to distribute COVID-19 vaccine to IHS-operated facilities, as well as Tribal Health Programs and Urban Indian Organizations that choose to receive vaccine coordinated through IHS instead of their state. The IHS Incident Command Structure established a COVID-19 vaccine task force on Sep. 4, 2020, to lead the IHS’s COVID-19 vaccine activities. The task force guides development of action plans, including prioritization strategies, distribution, vaccine administration, communications, data management, safety, and monitoring

Q: What is an FDA Emergency Use Authorization and how is it being used to respond to COVID-19?

The Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) process is different than full FDA approval, clearance, or licensing because the EUA standard requires significantly less data than otherwise would be required for approval, clearance, or licensing by the FDA. An EUA will allow use of a vaccine product to be used to prevent serious or life-threatening diseases or conditions when there are no adequate, approved, or available alternatives. For more information, please visit: What is an EUA ? and the FDA in Brief: FDA Issues Guidance on Emergency Use Authorization for COVID-19 Vaccines .

Q: Are the COVID-19 vaccines safe and effective?

The FDA has granted Emergency Use Authorizations for COVID-19 vaccines that have been shown to be safe and effective as determined by data from the manufacturers and findings from large clinical trials. These data demonstrate that the known and potential benefits of this vaccine outweigh the known and potential harms of becoming infected with COVID-19. Safety and monitoring systems are in place to watch for adverse events (possible side effects). For facilities receiving vaccine through IHS, adverse events are reported to the CDC Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). IHS-operated facilities are also reporting employee adverse events to the IHS Safety Tracking and Response (I-STAR) portal. An active surveillance survey across 58 direct and Tribal Health Program facilities also report adverse events biweekly. The IHS National Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee issues COVID-19 updates.

#covidvaccine #nativehealth #native american

The Pandemic Plate: Native American Diet and COVID-19 by Rachel McKimmy

The Pandemic Plate: Native American Diet and COVID-19

Even during the pandemic, Carrie Dallas waters her Flagstaff, Arizona community garden of white and blue corn, squash, beans, gourds, kale, and native tea. Dallas is a daughter of four different Native American Tribes and a grantee of the CDC program “Tribal Practices for Wellness in Indian Country.” She has been working to build a community garden and strengthen Indigenous peoples’ knowledge and ability to practice a healthy lifestyle.

“There’s a huge wave in the Indigenous communities throughout North America toward Indigenous foods,” said Dallas. “When COVID hit, the need to connect with our community was very important, to get the word out to people… how can we get our immunity up?”

According to the CDC, the chronic illnesses (including overweight, obesity, heart disease, and type-2 diabetes) that result from a diet lacking in healthy fruits and vegetables could make one more susceptible to severe effects from COVID-19, with minority groups most adversely affected. One such group are Native Americans, who make up 1.7% of the U.S. population, according to the National Congress of American Indians. Indigenous people also die from heart disease at a rate of 1.3 times higher and from diabetes at a rate of 3.2 times higher than all other ethnic groups.

As of the end of August, 2020, Indian Country Today reported 20,405 total COVID-19 cases and 736 total deaths. According to an August 31st, interactive map from John Hopkins, there were nearly 6 million total cases in the U.S. Of those cases, 3% of those cases were deaths. In comparison, the percentage of deaths per the cases reported in Indigenous communities was 3.6%.

“While masks, [social distancing, and hand-washing] prevent the spread of infection, diet and other forms of self-care such as adequate sleep and physical activity help to reduce susceptibility to infection or severity of infection,” said Caroline Trapp, DNP, Director of Diabetes Education & Care at the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM), a nonprofit organization focused on advocating for better nutrition. She has represented the PCRM to the Navajo Nation for 10 years.

But for many Indigenous communities, these efforts have been unable to stop COVID. In May, the Navajo Nation was struck with the third highest rate of COVID-19 infections after New York and New Jersey, during the height of New York’s surge.

It has been estimated that 16 to 30% of adults from the Navajo Nation have type-2 diabetes, and as many as 75% may have pre-diabetes, putting them at risk for developing the disease, said Trapp, whose expertise lies in type-2 diabetes.

On May 30, Trapp worked with Dallas to present a webinar which teaches “Cooking to Combat COVID-19” with ancestral, plant-based foods. The webinar provides information on how to help treat and prevent diseases like heart disease and diabetes, which could result in better COVID-19 outcomes. But there are still problems with access to healthy foods.

“The diet of indigenous people changed with forced relocation from their land, poverty and lack of access to health-promoting food… and provision of addictive foods such as canned meat, cheese, lard, white flour and sugar in the Commodity Boxes provided,” Trapp said.

In essence, the food assistance provided by the government is healthier now than it was in the past, but still contains foods which are not conducive to a balanced, healthy diet. Over 50% of the Navajo Nation currently receives some sort of supplemental food support, which now include some beans, fresh produce and no longer have lard, but still contain meat, cheese, and oil.

The movement towards Indigenous food sovereignty, or the right for communities to have access to and control over healthy sources of food, is one led by nonprofit and grassroots organizations, and government intervention from the CDC. But health professionals warn that this is not enough, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“At this point, it’s a grassroots effort to inform the public, especially those at highest risk of the worst outcomes,” said Susan Levin, the Director of Nutrition Education in the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine. Until large institutional changes are made to provide better access to healthier food options, she said, Indigenous people remain at high risk of diseases like heart disease and diabetes, and thus at higher risk for COVID-19.

Levin, like Trapp said that “federal food program money doesn’t make an effort to distinguish between calories and nutrition.” Furthermore, “nobody on either side of the aisle wants to go down the road of changing it. The Left doesn’t want to be patronizing and tell people what to eat. And the Right doesn’t want to mess with the bottom dollar of Coke and grocery store manufacturers.” As a result, Native American individuals and communities are taking matters into their own hands.

Vicki Wells, a citizen of the Little River Band of Odawa Indians in Michigan, recalls meeting with her doctor to discuss what could be done about her Type I diabetes. She’d been having trouble maintaining normal blood sugar levels with her current diet, which included the government’s Tribal Commodity Program. This program, she said, provided more pasta and white bread than fresh fruits and vegetables. She proposed she begin eating more native foods; her doctor was supportive.

This began Wells’s journey to decolonizing her diet. After improving the health of herself and her family through native foods, she started “Makwa Eats,” an Indigenous cooking blog. “I’m trying to teach people they can improve their health by eating better… one meal at a time,” she said. She has continued to be active in the community, encouraging people to eat better during the pandemic.

Tribal affairs journalist Sierra Clark (Odawa/Ojibwe) began her journalistic career at the height of the pandemic, publishing a piece highlighting the efforts of a handful of Michigan’s Indigenous women to heal their intergenerational trauma through Indigenous foods.

After the pandemic hit, as a sovereign nation, the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa & Chippewa Indians shut down casinos and began carefully testing and monitoring cases in the community, with help from Indian Health Services and Abbott Laboratories medical technologies, Clark said.

Due to having to close down casinos and dropping employment rates, more Indigenous people are relying on inadequate food commodities and short on money to spend on healthy food.

Despite setbacks, Indigenous people across the U.S. are taking back their ancestral food systems however they can, with many people like Carrie Dallas and Vicki Wells taking their health into their own hands and encouraging and helping others to do the same. During the coronavirus pandemic and economic depression, having access to healthy foods is an urgent need for the U.S.’s Indigenous individuals and communities.

Helpful Links for the Reader:

PCRM Cooking to Combat COVID.

Makwa Eats by Vicki Wells.

Coming home through traditional foods by Sierra Clark.

https://dissectingthenews.wordpress.com/2020/12/15/the-pandemic-plate-native-american-diet-and-covid-19/

Passing of NACA Board Member Anthony J. Secody (Tony)

Anthony (Tony) J. Secody 1981 - 2020

Navajo

From growing up in his hometown of Tuba City, Arizona, then a term in the Navy as a Hospital Corpsman, to a budding and compassionate career in healthcare in Flagstaff, Arizona, Tony Secody went above and beyond in his life to ensure the safety and health of all the patients and their families he interacted with.

A Veteran of the United States Navy, Tony spent his career helping people in his positions at hospitals, medical centers, health career services, and most recently The Peaks Senior Living Community. Tony’s passion was to serve as a patient liaison and ensure the delivery of quality care as a direct service provider. Tony obtained his Masters of Science and Bachelors in Healthcare Management, as well as a Bachelors of Science in Biology from NAU.

Tony began his tenure with the NACA Board recently as a Board member within the NACA family, Tony was actively involved in all board matters, including the recent website proposal search, bridging the communication and sharing of resources with Sacred Peaks, and the revision of the Board Bylaws. Tony is dedicated to the role of supporting, improving and growing the NACA organization for the next generations.

Tony is well loved and enjoyed a rich family life with much appreciation for Navajo culture and philosophy. Tony is known for his sense of humor and having fun with family, friends and co-workers, always leaving everyone smiling. Tony leaves behind a sister and brother who are grieving and working through the loss process, they are currently accepting donations to help fund the costs of Tony’s surviving family members and their needs.

Leander Secody (brother of Tony)

Zelle - 480-577-3868

Cash App - $leesecody

Tony was a humorous, generous and open-hearted person who loved to laugh and who will be greatly missed by the community he served.

NACA Board Meeting Agenda

Native Americans for Community Action, Inc.

Monthly Meeting of the Board of Directors

In-Person at FHC Hopi Conference Room

and Virtual Meeting through the Zoom Platform

https://zoom.us/j/977 5056 9896

Passcode: 346134

October 21, 2020 at 5:30 p.m. MDT

AGENDA

Call to Order:

REGULAR MEETING

1. Roll Call: Board Members

Liv Knoki, President Carmenlita Chief, Vice-President Shirley Peaches, Secretary

Juliette Roddy – Treasurer Jacque Gencarelle Anthony Secody

NACA Mission Statement:

Prayer

2. Agenda – Adoption of the agenda, as submitted, is recommended. (ACTION)

October 21, 2020 Board Agenda

3. Minutes – Approval of Minutes (ACTION) – Estimate 3 minutes:

September 16, 2020 Board Minutes

4. Public Participation

5. Announcements (NON-ACTION) –

A. Introduction of New NACA Staff Members – Jonathan Yellowhair, Psychotherapist;

Betty Hosteen, Medical Records Clerk

6. Trainings/Presentations (NON-ACTION):

A. NON-Profit Board Report: October 2020

B. NCUIH Board Training – October 21 – November 6, 2020

7. Consent Items (ACTION/NON-ACTION)

A. Review and Approval of “2020-2023 Behavioral Health Policies and Procedures” (ACTION) – Curtis Randolph, Ph.D., Director of Behavioral Health

B. Review and Approval of “Cepheid Equipment Purchase for In-House Respiratory Testing” (ACTION) – Donna Peace, MD

8.. Regular Items (ACTION/NON-ACTION)

Financial Report:

· September 2020 Financial Report (ACTION) – Gerald Clark, CFO

B. CEO/NACA Program Reports (NON-ACTION)

9. Old Business

A. COVID-19 Plan Update – All Participants

B. NACA 50th Anniversary Planning Committee – Liv Knoki, Board President

C. NACA Website Redesign RFP Update – Victoria Leone, Marketing and Public Relations Officer

D. Native American Heritage Month Activity Planning – Carrie Dallas, L.I.F.E. Program Coordinator

10. New Business

Next Board Meeting Date: November Board Meeting (November 18, 2020 @ NACA Conference Room

and Zoom)

Adjournment of Meeting:

INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAY IS OCTOBER 12th...

Contact Rose Toehe at [email protected] to register for the presentations.

#nativelivesmatter #indigenouspeoplesday wearenative indigenousvalues #nativeamerican

NACA in the News - Mental Health in a Pandemic

Check out the Arizona Daily Sun article on NACA’s partnership with Stronger As One and all the projects we are working on together!

https://azdailysun.com/news/local/sharing-mental-health-experiences-even-more-important-during-pandemic/article_d0f3fbc0-a15e-5334-ac39-9eaa02a0dbfa.html

#mentalhealth suicidepreventionmonth NACAFlagstaff StrongerAsOne

NACA Announces Brand and Website RFP up for bids

Native Americans for Community Action (NACA Inc.) _____________________________________

Logo, Brand and Website Redesign & Development Request for Proposals

This Request for Proposals (RFP) is for logo, brand and website redesign and development services for the Native Americans for Community Action website with URL; www.nacainc.org

RFP Sent: Friday, September 18th, 2020 Responses Due: Friday, October 9th, 2020 by 5pm Arizona

Send any questions on the RFP to:

Victoria Leone Marketing and Public Relations Officer [email protected] (480) 392-7324

Send proposals to:

Victoria Leone Marketing and Public Relations Officer [email protected] AND Jeff Axtell Chief Executive Officer [email protected],

Budget for new website: Please present a range of options Goal for new website launch: January 2021

NACA Overview

Native Americans for Community Action, Inc., (NACA) provides a wide array of services. These include: Wellness and Health Promotions; Mental/Behavioral Health Counseling; Suicide Prevention Programming and Counseling; Primary Health Care; substance abuse education and prevention for youth (Pathways); substance abuse; tobacco education/cessation; and, a vendor project that assists Native American artisans in economic development ventures. Most of the programs are either free-of-charge or are offered at a low cost to clients. Thousands of individuals and their families receive services from NACA each year.

NACA’s mission is to provide preventive wellness strategies, empower, and advocate for Native peoples and others in need to create a healthy community based on Harmony, Respect, and Indigenous Values. Through the provision of varied services to families and their children, NACA works to improve the overall health and well-being of the Indigenous and Flagstaff community members. Patients and their family members receive information, education, medical care and other services that can assist them in leading healthy lifestyles and in achieving greater economic independence. By ensuring that services are provided in a culturally appropriate manner, NACA also works to preserve Native American traditions, culture and language. For many Native Americans who are making the transition from reservation/rural life to an urban setting, NACA serves as a vital service link and cultural resource.

NACA promotes diversity within the workplace and seek qualified individuals to fulfill positions within our organization. NACA employs 55 staff members and continues to grow to meet the demand(s) and need(s) of the community. Our organization promotes Native Americans preference but will employ the most qualified person(s) to fulfill its mission and goals.

TheNACAteamwillbeenteringthe50thyearoftheirnonprofitworkin2021,andislookingtoredesign our logo, brand guidelines and website to reflect the organizations’ work, growth, and vibrancy in the community over the last 50 years.

Our Audience

Our primary audience are the Indigenous communities in Northern Arizona, as well as non-Native populations, who are in need of or searching for support for preventative wellness strategies, general community health and wellness including substance abuse programs, economic development, preserving Native American traditions and culture, and those transitioning from rural reservation life into an urban setting in Northern Arizona.

People typically within lower income brackets, those without health insurance, using the AHCCCS insurance or qualify for Indian Health Services (IHS). Those living in the Northern Arizona communities, the homeless population of Flagstaff, additionally a subset of communities including people without access to internet or social media.

Additionally our online followers and demographics are women ages 25-45 belonging to Indigenous tribes and clans, and women of non-Native heritage, with an interest in preserving and bringing awareness back towards Indigenous traditions, culture, and language. People who

are passionate about supporting the whole community of Northern Arizona and upholding the traditions of Indigenous values and culture.

They enjoy spending time with their families, cooking traditional foods, maintaining their homes, feeling very fulfilled in these areas. They can be wary and untrusting of the health and medical industry and typically use Indian Health Services as an affordable option for care. They are not overly political but are highly passionate and active in person and online about Indigenous rights, preservation of culture, inequalities and Indigenous land rights. They are friendly, appreciate humor and prefer straightforward communications. They care about our organization because we offer free and affordable options for healthcare and wellness, and focus on Indigenous communities with a thorough understanding of the importance of traditions and values within Indigenous tribes and clans. They enjoy the many free services offered, programs to be a part of and appreciate the openness and connections made within all NACA has available. To our target audience, this organization is extremely important to the wellness of the whole community of Northern Arizona, is accessible and affordable, and are very likely to recommend and highlight us in their conversations with friends, family and via social media.

Our secondary audience is our potential and current donors. They are local employers, Indigenous activists, and friends of the organization, who have additional expendable income they prefer to use to support and grow our whole community of Northern Arizona. They like to know where their money is going, how it is benefiting the community and Indigenous people in particular. They like to see visual, factual information of where their monies are going.

New Logo and Brand Objectives and Requirements

Our new logo and brand guidelines should reflect the vibrancy of the organization, the Indigenous communities we serve but also be very clear to the fact that we serve the entire community, Indigenous and non-Native. It should reflect our community-mindedness, and that we are the go-to resource in the community for health and wellness and preventative services, education and the trusted source of up to date information.

- Vibrant Indigenous culture inspired color theme

- Clear and concise timeless logo reflecting the organization as a whole

- Clear brand guidelines for the organization to use for all internal design work

- Reflect our whole-community approach

- Be malleable enough to create sub-logos and design guidelines for each program, while

still providing a consistency and recognition of our organizational brand

- Community wide survey - how they perceive NACA and see the future

Our current logo does not necessarily reflect our integrated healthcare focus, and our brand has become lost within our internal organizational designs. The diluted color theme does not reflect the vibrancy of our community, and does not highlight the Indigenous and community-minded events, programs, services and resources we have to offer. The several logos we have for each

program also do not reflect the individuality of each program while also speaking to its connection to NACA as a whole. Community and connectedness are very important to the NACA mission and our team. When redesigning our brand and identity we want to be sure to connect with our community in consideration of how they perceive the work we do, and how they envision Indigenous health growing over the next 10 - 20 years.

New Website Objectives

Our website’s number one objective is to educate and inform, and provide information and support for the Indigenous and non-Native communities of Northern Arizona. To showcase all of our programs, services and resources in one succinct site, that is easy to navigate and easy for a client to source what they are looking for.

The second objective is to encourage people to participate in programs, events, services and access available resources offered by all NACA programs.

- Raise awareness - engage visitors - build community - convert to donations and participation

- Inform and educate and provide resources for interested customers

- Generate increased awareness of the organization as a whole

- Be a go-resource in the community regarding services offered

- Increase participation in programs and events offered

- To create a comprehensive listserv of contacts we can continue to keep informed of upcoming events and new services via a new newsletter

- Increase the ease for customers to donate, fundraise and sign up for newsletter

- Support services: IT and trouble ticket management options

Our third objective is to increase potential donor engagement and donations.

- Using dashboard graphics to convey our work and reach

- Testimonials from customers and clients

- Explain where donations go and how they are used

- Make it easy to donate one time or on a recurring basis

Current Website

Our current website, www.nacainc.org, is about 4 years old and does not serve us well anymore. The functionality of the website backend is not user friendly for staff, and is not on a known platform to be able to manage in house rather than outsourcing for every change and update needed. There is no one at our organization who knows how to update information on the current platform since it is a custom CMS, and lacks accessibility for employees.

We are in consideration of a brand redesign in addition to the website redesign. As our 50th year anniversary approaches we feel the need to update our brand in a vibrant and cohesive way to better project the organization’s mission and growth.

It is difficult for clients and employees to navigate through to find the program or service they are looking for as the drop down menus are not organized well. Even employees in our own company have a hard time finding things on the website. It is integral that we have a functional and intuitive navigation for customers and clients to easily find the programs and resources they are in need of.

It is essential that we have a concise and user friendly backend platform for internal staff to be able to manage editing and updating web pages as needed. Wordpress or Squarespace are understood by some of our staff.

The current website is not receiving much traffic based on the size and availability of the organization, and the resources available. No SEO is currently in place or being managed.

Overall, it lacks a clear path for our visitors to follow to find what they want and contact us or learn more about the programs and services we offer. Employees are unable to update content.

New Website Functionality Requirements

Our new website will need:

· An easy-to-use, user-friendly platform (Wordpress, Squarespace etc.)

· Intuitive and minimized primary navigation

· Clean, colorful, appropriate and focused design

. Provides recognition and consistency of our brand

· All applicable content imported from current site

· Optimized with SEO best practices

· Social media integration (share buttons, follow buttons, etc.)

· Email update sign-up form

· Contact Form

. Donation function

. Easy-to-update organizational calendar showing all upcoming events

. Responsive on all screen sizes

Optional feature: We would love to have a video resource library, plus integrated search feature, that specifically develops educational videos available to the public for free. Also a blog page and newsfeed page to present press information and educational and entertaining blog posts.

Websites We Like

Redhawk Native American Arts Council

https://www.redhawkcouncil.org/

- Big bright engaging beautiful images

- Clear and concise information upfront

- Easy navigation

First Nations Development

https://www.firstnations.org/

- Great immediate calls to action

- Large eye catching images

- Space given to impact and stats

- Programs layout is clear and colorful

David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation

https://davidshepherd.org/

- Mission statement front and center

- Clean simple graphics

- Obvious newsletter sign up

Native Americans in Philanthropy

https://nativephilanthropy.org/

Maisha Website Theme

https://www.anarieldesign.com/demos/?theme=Maisha

Kickstart

http://kickstart.org/

- Visual scroll layout

- Nice flow

Voices Rise Up

https://voicesriseup.org/

- Menu layout

Budget Details

NACA Inc. is a 501c3 nonprofit organization seeking the most cost-effective solution and all proposals will be considered for reasonableness and consistency of the services offered in the submitted proposals. The costs presented in the submitted proposals that fall reasonably within this range will be considered and weighed based on their merits. Proposal content that offers flexibility in billing for non-required elements added to the website after initial launch will also be considered in the final decision. All invoices for this project must be billed within 30 days of the date of service provided.

Proposal Requirements

Please include the following in your proposal response:

· Overview of your company

· Overview of how you will meet our objectives

· Explanation of your proposed platform/CMS

· Outline of your website design & development strategy

· Proposed website timeline from kickoff to launch

· Details about your team

· Recent design & development examples

· References

· Any key differentiators about you?

. Any previous Indigenous organization experience?

. Indian Preference shall apply in the selection for this RFP

· Pricing with optional elements line-itemed

· Terms & conditions

RFP & Project Timeline Details

RFP Sent: Friday, September 18th 2020

Responses Due: Friday, October 9th, 2020 by 5pm Arizona

Winner Selected & Contacted : October 14th, 2020 Project Kick-off : November 1st, 2020 New Website Launch Target Date: January 2021

Thank you for your interest in responding to this RFP with a proposal for our logo, brand and website redesign. We look forward to your response.

If you have any questions, please contact: Victoria Leone \ Marketing and Public Relations Officer

[email protected] (480) 392-7324

DOWNLOAD PDF HERE:

https://drive.google.com/uc?export=download&id=1whb2dq7VHA5ouymAlYYrji5Xdf2Dly30

2020 Youth Suicide Prevention Conference Thank You!

On behalf of the Native Americans for Community Action, Inc. (NACA) Reach UR Life team, we want to extend a heart-felt thank you for your time and commitment to making the 2020 Northern Arizona Indigenous Youth Suicide Prevention Conference so successful. Your participation helped make our vision a reality by joining our virtual conference.

Thank you to the presenters for their dedication and hard work.

#suicidepreventionmonth

NACA Inc Monthly Meeting of the Board of Directors

Native Americans for Community Action, Inc

Monthly Meeting of the Board of Directors

In-Person at FHC Hopi Conference Room

and Virtual Meeting through the Zoom Platform

https://zoom.us/j/95177865548

September 16, 2020 at 5:30 p.m. MDT

AGENDA.

Call to Order:

REGULAR MEETING

1. Roll Call: Board Members

Liv Knoki, President

Carmenlita Chief, Vice-President

Shirley Peaches, Secretary

Juliette Roddy – Treasurer

Jacque Gencarelle

Anthony Secody

NACA Mission Statement:

Prayer

2. Agenda – Adoption of the agenda, as submitted, is recommended. (ACTION)

September 16, 2020 Board Agenda

3. Minutes – Approval of Minutes (ACTION) – Estimate 3 minutes:

August 19, 2020 Board Minutes

4. Public Participation

5. Announcements (NON-ACTION) –

A. Introduction of New NACA Staff Members – Christina Curry, RUL Brief Intervention Coordinator; Evangeline Jim, Patient Services Coordinator; Hannah Going, Youth Psychotherapist; Ashlea Lee, Recreation Assistant

6. Trainings/Presentations (NON-ACTION):

A. NON-Profit Board Report: September 2020

7. Consent Items (ACTION/NON-ACTION)

A. Re-Appointment of “Cooper Johnson, PMHNP, FNP for Psychiatry Services” (ACTION) – Curtis Randolph, Ph.D., Director of Behavioral Health

B. Review and Approval of “2020-2021 Medical Services Policies and Procedures” (ACTION) – George Hershey, DO Medical Director

C. Review and Approval of “Single Source Justification for Loven Contracting Remodel Proposal” (ACTION) – Jeff Axtell, CEO

D. Review and Approval of “Revised NACA Board of Directors Bylaws” (ACTION) – Carmenlita Chief, Vice-President

8.. Regular Items (ACTION/NON-ACTION)

Financial Report:

· August 2020 Financial Report (ACTION) – Gerald Clark, CFO

B. CEO/NACA Program Reports (NON-ACTION)

9. Old Business

A. COVID-19 Plan Update – All Participants

10. New Business

A. NACA Board Recruitment Flyer/NACA Board Business Cards – Victoria Leone, Marketing and PR Officer

B. Native American Heritage Month Activity Planning – Tallerita Tunney Rogers, Community Development Director

Next Board Meeting Date: October Board Meeting (October 21, 2020 @ NACA Conference Room and Zoom)

Adjournment of Meeting:

Update to NACA’s operation plan in light of COVID-19 – September 1, 2020

Native Americans for Community Action, Inc. (NACA) is dedicated to both our clients and our staff. We are conducting safe practices with our staff by having those who can work from home continue to do so in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19 among our team members. The NACA staff are dedicated towards continuing their primary program objectives and the delivery of essential services for our community members.

The NACA Operational changes are listed below:

Family Health Center We are asking all clients to refrain from coming into the NACA Family Health Center without first calling in advance, (928) 773-1245. The Family Health Center is scheduling in-person visits for medical services and will continue to offer appointments through telehealth (Zoom) upon patient request. We are screening all patients for body temperature who arrive for appointments for. NACA is using telehealth for prescription refills and follow-up visits that can be accomplished using video conferencing.

Behavioral Health Behavioral Health client visits are being conducted through in-person and telehealth visits as determined by the individual providers. In-person DUI classes have started backup with limited participants, Behavioral Health Virtual Group Sessions are also offered such as substance abuse classes and Talking Circle using a secure Zoom platform. In order to participate, clients must have access to the internet, a computer and a valid email account. For more information call to schedule an appointment, 773-1245.

Community Development NACA’s Community Development and Behavioral Health Departments are conducting a weekly virtual Talking Circle, on Mondays from 5:30-6:30 PM MST. The Talking Circle is open to anyone who wants/needs to connect with others during these stressful times. The Talking Circle will be hosted and managed by NACA’s Social Support Coordinator, and a Community Elder, resources may be available dependent on the need. Participants must abide by confidentiality standards to participate. Click here to join the Zoom meeting at the scheduled time.

Wellness Center The NACA Wellness Center is opening back up to individual appointment times for clients, please contact the Fitness Specialist to schedule an appointment, [email protected] or [email protected], 773-1245 ext. #221. Many of their workout sessions can be found on YouTube by searching “NACA Wellness Center” or clicking here. If you are interested in receiving the exercise programs, please forward your request along with your email address.

Overlook Artisan Market The NACA Overlook Outdoor Artisan Market is open daily with up to ten Artisans selling their art. The Overlook is open daily from 8:30 - 4:00, a limited number of vendors participate each day while exercising safe precautions and face coverings. For more information on the Overlook program please visit the Oak Creek Overlook section of the NACA website or contact the NACA Main office, 928-526-2968.

NACA Main Office The NACA Main Office is open partially in the afternoon to the public, we still remain partially closed due to staffing. If you call the NACA Main office number at (928) 526-2968 during the closure, you will still reach a receptionist who can answer your questions, phone calls have been forwarded to the Family Health Center.

Social Support Coordinator Lucinda Yazzie is available to assist NACA clients with supportive services as they are related to Covid-19. Lucinda is working with community agencies and NACA resources to provide individuals with support towards their needs, various levels of assistance. To refer a client or to find out more information please email Lucinda at 928-526-2968 ext. #122 or [email protected].

Contacting NACA If you have any questions regarding NACA services during the COVID-19 outbreak situation, please email [email protected], or call (928) 773-1245. The NACA Family Health Center will maintain its normal operating hours during this critical period from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday thru Friday.

We encourage everyone to follow the guidance from public health experts to lessen the impact of COVID-19. Please wear a mask when out in public, stay at home and limit trips for essential items, isolate yourselves from others if you start feeling sick, keep a safe distance of 6 feet from others (social distancing), and practice healthy personal hygiene by washing your hands frequently. Together, we will get through this challenging time stronger than we were before.

Please wear a mask when in public and please, stay healthy.

Jeff Axtell Chief Executive Officer Native Americans for Community Action Inc.

#NACAflag #NACAflagstaff #nacainc #NACA #Flagstaff Arizona #Northern Arizona #2020 #covid-19

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