Chickaloon school, health department annouce plans

Chickaloon Views by Patricia Wade

Chickaloon Village's health department became part of three community organizations and participates in community planning efforts for FAS/FAE, tobacco, and rural health providers.

Goals for fiscal year 2002 will be to address clinical services utilizing physicians and/or mid-level practitioners, Medicaid and Medicare eligibility, billing systems and process, technology and communications with Rural Providers Management System (RPMS), and enhancing elder care.

Housing -- The CV Transitional House is 90-percent complete. Work continues with current weatherization and rehabilitation-qualified clients. More clients are needed and welcome. Housing director Todd Erickson said we need a waiting list of qualified low-income rental housing candidates prior to investment in homes.

Johnson O'Malley -- JOM staff is connecting with schools to let them know about presenters and programs. They have visited Sutton and Glacier View Schools.

Ya Ne Dah Ah School -- A picnic was held prior to Ya Ne Dah Ah School opening on Sept. 10. Marky D. Clown performed for the 10 children enrolled in kindergarten through fifth grade. Some activities this year are: Monday -- cultural, Tuesday -- art lessons, Wednesday -- PE, Thursday -- swimming, Friday -- library and singing. Every morning we have prayer, Ahtna language and singing.

The forestry department has been revising policy and procedure to add accountability, structure, and safety to their daily routine, both in the field and at the office. Officers have been patrolling tribal lands in an effort to limit trespass activity and enforce the moose hunt closure on tribal lands on the south side of the Matanuska River. They have been replacing old "no trespass" signs. Law enforcement logged 46 hours of patrol from Farm Loop Road to King River and all subdivisions along the Glenn Highway. They had a request for patrol along Soapstone Road and the Farm Loop area.

It Is Time to Share Our History education department has eighth grade and high school history units ready to turn over to the Mat-Su Borough School District for pilot. Multimedia director Tom Brannen is putting the finishing touches to the potlatch, snowshoe, and birch bark basket videos. Curriculum director Donita Peter has been writing the final curricula for the song and dance, Yenida'a stories, and potlatch units.