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NORTHWEST TERRITORIES Charlotte Vehus Group Home | Billy Moore Community Group Home | Cultural and Social Sensitivity Parkland CLASS is very active in the development and delivery of services for disabled adults and children from Nunavut and the Northwest Territories in the Canadian Arctic. These services include residential group home placements, adult proprietorships, children's specialized foster care, individual apartment living, and community bridging. The Agency's programs for northern consumers are either delivered in Central Alberta, where seventeen (17) high needs children and adults are being served, or in the Inuvik Region of the Northwest Territories where thirteen (13) aboriginal adults and youth are being supported in two residential projects. The programs and services that support northern adults and children while they are living in Central Alberta are described within the Children's Services and Residential Services program areas. The agency's programs and services that support individuals living in the Arctic are described below. Parkland's northern programs include the Charlotte Vehus Group Home, and the Billy Moore Community Group Home. Both of these group homes are located in Inuvik which is the largest North American city above the Arctic Circle. Parkland CLASS developed these programs in partnership with the Inuvik Regional Health Board, the Ehdiitat Gwithcin Band Council, and the Uummarmuit (Inuvaluit) Development Corporation. Charlotte Vehus Group Home The Charlotte Vehus Group Home provides residential services for up to eight high needs, medically dependent young adults and youth. This service combines both a rehabilitation and medical support model. Medical supports are provided by a qualified nursing team who are on-site 24 hours a day. Members of the nursing team address all of the medical, dietary, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy needs of the consumers. Rehabilitation supports focus on the traditional elements of community living. Based on an individual's ability, these supports may include home and life skills development, recreation, and community involvement and participation. To facilitate community participation, the agency operates a wheelchair van at the Charlotte Vehus Home and a six passenger 4 wheel drive truck at the Billy Moore Home. Billy Moore Community Group Home The Billy Moore Community Group Home provides residential services to moderately disabled aboriginal adults from across the Inuvik and Tuktoyaktuk region. Billy Moore (pictured here at a local culture event), is an extremely well known disabled gentleman who has lived his entire life in Inuvik. Billy's life experiences and overwhelming acceptance represents the fundamental principles and goals of community living. The Billy Moore Group Home supports Inuvaluit and Gwithcin disabled adults with a primary focus on home and life skills development and full community inclusion. On any given day consumers may be involved in operating their vending machine business, working in other employment placements, participating in a vocational training activity, visiting friends or family, or going out on the land to fish or camp. Cultural and Social Sensitivity Parkland CLASS has been involved within a variety of cultural settings which range from high Arctic Inuit communities, to aboriginal reserves across Central Alberta, and with various groups and organizations in South American nations which are involved in the Latin America - ITINERIS Project. Through these experiences, the agency has gained a sensitivity and strong commitment to support both the cultural and social diversity of its consumers, families, and partners. In terms of its activities in the Arctic, our cultural awareness relates to the value associated with "the land" and the various traditions, practices, and ceremonies that are unique to the Inuvaluit and Gwithcin peoples. The agency's social sensitivity relates to its understanding of the principles of aboriginal self governance, community healing, and the accommodation of traditional values and practices within the agency's service delivery system. In support of its commitment, Parkland CLASS has a bias to respect aboriginal elders and encourage their involvement within the lives of the consumers that we serve. There is a preference to hire and train aboriginal staff whenever possible, and consumers are encouraged to participate in their traditions including facilitated activities on "the land", attendance at formal cultural events, and access to traditional country foods. |