Health equity coordinator
Lucy Cannon-Neel, RN, ADN, CSN
Our new Health Equity Coordinator will engage Nulhegan tribal citizens across the state and enhance programmatic, education, and implementation strategies to help decrease health disparities in our community. This work will be in consultation with the AHA Executive Director and tribal leadership.
The Health Equity Coordinator will be engaged in the following work:
Community Engagement
The Health Equity Coordinator will create and host community engagement events to reinforce a community-wide sense of cultural awareness and food sovereignty. This may include but is not limited to the Land Link project, food shelf pantry, and activities in collaboration with community partners.
Cultural Preservation
The Health Equity Coordinator will develop and coordinate activities to revitalize cultural and spiritual connections for their citizens.
Health and Wellness Initiatives
The Health Equity Coordinator will create and host wellness events centering around strengthening protective health factors and improving long-term health outcomes in partnership with community health workers. This may include but not be limited to promoting vaccinations and other preventative resources.
Environmental Factors
The Health Equity Coordinator may travel to community sites to give talks on the environment and how it affects our health.
Copay exemptions for American Indian and Alaska Native Veterans
Beginning April 4, 2023, eligible American Indian and Alaska Native Veterans no longer have to pay a copay for VA health care services and urgent care. And we’ll review the copays we received for covered services on or after January 5, 2022. Click the “Find Out More” button below to determine your eligibility for a copay exemption.
mental health resources
Provided by the VAAA in conjunction with the Vermont Department of Mental Health
To provide services needed by the people of Vermont, the Vermont Department of Mental Health (VDM) has created the following Mental Health Hotline map with locations and numbers to reach out to those in crisis. The VDM understands that the Abenaki community is at great risk regarding metal health issues.
In addition to this map, training sessions are available to address several issues. These sessions are mainly virtual and will be available as tools by those wanting to address the needs of the Abenaki community. The links below will take you to the websites that offer the training. You will find several training sessions available over the next several months. Note that the training sessions address many different topics in respect to the recognized mental health needs in our community.
It is understood that this type of training is not a “quick fix” for the issues being faced. The VDM is working with the Abenaki community’s leadership to find solutions. This is only the beginning of what we hope to be a good partnership to help those in our community who are struggling – especially during this time when so many are suffering from sickness and even the death of loved ones due to this pandemic.
Please click here for a larger version of the map with phone numbers
802 Quits
Too many Native people lose their lives each year from recreational smoking. Learn more about ceremonial tobacco use and find culturally tailored support for quitting commercial tobacco by pressing the button below.