Community Health Care Services

At United Indian Health Services (UIHS), our Community Health Representatives (CHRs) and Nurses are committed to improving access to healthcare and building community capacity within our local communities. We strive to provide an optimum level of physical, emotional, social, and spiritual wellness for those we serve.

We are dedicated to improving the health status of American Indians through essential health
education, counseling, and direct health care services. Our CHRs and Nurses are committed to
eliminating health disparities by improving access to care and addressing the social determinants
of health in our communities.

Our Services

Our CHRs and Nurses provide a wide range of services to support the health and wellness of our community:

Postpartum Home Visits: General infant and postpartum assessments, infant weight checks, support, and guidance.

Prenatal Home Visits: Basic resources, referrals, new parent kits, and car seats before the birth of the baby.

Prenatal Education and Early Childhood Development: Education and support for expecting and new parents.

Transportation to Clinical Appointments: Arranged in advance depending on CHR schedules.

Medication Delivery: Arranged on an individual basis, in collaboration with the UIHS Pharmacy.

Safety Items: Items available include car seats, bicycle helmets, life jackets, and smoke alarms with education.

Elder Home Visits: Provide general assessments, support, and guidance.

Safety Checks: Home visits to identify hazards and provide resource referrals.

Assistance with Referrals: Help with completing forms and documentation.

Hearing and Vision Screenings: For Tribal Head Start Programs.

Educational Outreach: Collaboration with Tribal Head Starts and community education.

Blood Pressure & Blood Sugar Screenings: Regular health checks and monitoring.

Injury Prevention Program: Education and resources to prevent injuries.

Cultural Activities: Support and participation in community cultural activities.

Our Focus Areas

Relationship-Building

We prioritize building strong, supportive relationships with our clients and community members.

Trust-Building

We focus on identifying and addressing the specific needs of each client to foster trust.

Communication

We ensure clear, continuous communication between providers and patients, respecting traditional knowledge and language.

Social Determinants of Health

We address the conditions in which people are born, grow, work, live, and age. This includes enhancing social connectedness, preserving traditional knowledge, honoring spirituality, maintaining a healthy relationship with the environment, and acknowledging our shared history.

Accessing CHR Services

We encourage you to connect with a local Community Health Representatives (CHRs) to support your health and wellness. Here’s how you can easily connect with our CHRs:

Contact Your Local CHR

Reach out to the CHR at your nearest health clinic to discuss your needs and schedule an appointment.

  • Potawot Health Village: 707-825-5070
  • Elk Valley Health Clinic: 707-464-2919
  • Klamath Health Clinic: 707-482-2181
  • Weitchpec Health Clinic: 530-625-5413
  • Smith River: 707-487-0215
  • Eureka Health Village: 707-296-2507

Discuss Your Needs:

Share the details about what you need, whether it’s transportation, home visits, or health education.

Schedule Appointments

Work together with your CHR to find a convenient time for your appointment.

Receiving a Referral

To connect with our CHRs and nurses, you can also receive a referral from your UIHS provider. Here’s how:

Follow Up

After receiving the referral, a CHR or nurse will contact you to discuss your needs and schedule services.

Consult with Your Provider

During your appointment at UIHS, discuss your healthcare needs with your provider.

Request a Referral

If your provider determines that a CHR or nursing services are beneficial for you, they will provide a referral.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who are Community Health Representatives (CHRs)?Accordion Item

CHRs are frontline public health workers who improve access to healthcare in AI/AN community and build community capacity. They are trained in health care provision, disease control, and prevention.

What services do CHRs provide?

CHRs provide a variety of services, including postpartum and prenatal home visits, transportation to clinical appointments, medication delivery, safety item provision, elder safety checks, assistance with referrals, and health education.

Can CHRs assist with completing forms for agencies like WIC?

Yes, CHRs can assist with completing forms and other documentation for agencies such as WIC, TANF, Cal Fresh, etc.

What should I do if I need to cancel a scheduled appointment?

If you need to cancel a scheduled service, please contact your CHR as soon as possible to inform them of the cancellation.

Community Healthcare Representatives (CHR)

Kowashay Bigpond, Klamath

Ashley Buckskin, Smith River

Tracy Crutchfield, Potawot 

Shawna Huggins, Elk Valley 

Paula Mattocks, Potawot

Tammy Wilson, Potawot

Laurie Sanderson, Weitchpec 

Shawndell Shuey, Eureka

Janaye Stevens, Weitchpec

Sandra Trabue, Potawot 

Nurses

Diane Keane, RN, Elk Valley 

Evelyn Wiebe-Anderson, Potawot