The Family Support Services is comprised of multiple programs.
Healing Generations Program
The Healing Generations Program was created in response to the growing needs of American Indian parents, children and adults requesting culturally specific mental health services and support from the American Indian Family Center.
The goals of the program are:
to provide culturally meaningful programming to meet the mental health needs of families, individuals, youth and children
to provide the community with education and information on mental health through talking circles and workshops
to provide families, individuals and children with case management around their mental health needs and to serve as a linkage to other social service agencies
Services and Activities
Short and long term counseling for youth, individuals and families
Assessment and Testing
Community Education and prevention workshops
Social support for families, including outreach, case coordination and advocacy
The Healing Generations Staff include:
Therapist - Jessica Gourneau, Phd
Clinical Director - William (Bill) Fullerton
Case Manager - Maria McCoy
The Healing Generations Program is primarily funded by the Minnesota Department of Human Services, Mental Health Service Project.
Wakanyeja Kin Wakan Pi (Our Children Are Sacred) Program
The Wakanyeja Kin Wakan Pi program was created to address the complex problems resulting from substance abuse and to prevent and reduce the subsequest fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) and/or drug affected births.
Services and Activities
to provide culturally specific care coordination for women who are pregnant or parenting struggling with chemcial issues
to provide chemical health groups and parenting education support to parents, adolescents and children
to provide pre and post treatment support and recovery maintenance
to provide referrals and resources to help stabilize families
to provide access to Rule 25 Assessments and LADC counseling
The Wakanyeja Kin Wakan Pi staff include:
Wellness Case Manager - Natasha Hilt
LADC - Richard Wright
The Wakanyehau Kin Wakan Pi is funded by the Minnesota Department of Human Services, Chemical Health Division.
Twin Cities Healthy Start
The AIFC Twin Cities Health Start program is designed to reduce infant mortality in the American Indian community by providing support to expecting American Indian women.
Services and Activities
Case Management and Care Coordination
Prenatal and Childbirth Education
Parenting Education
Mother's Circle Support and Education Group
Referals and resources to help stabilize families
Public Health Home Visiting Nurse, Mary Rose and Shawn O'Connell
Community Doula Referrals for labor and delivery
Family Planning Support and Education
The AIFC- Twin Cities Healthy Start staff include:
Case Manager - Patricia Mellang
The Twin Cities Healthy Start program is funded by the City of Minneapolis - Maternal and Child Health Department.
Community Doula Program
The Community Doula Program is designed to address infant mortality in communities of color residing in Ramsey County. Community Doulas are available as labor and delivery support partners for pregnant women.
Services and Activities
Culturally specific Community Doula
One on one prenatal and childbirth education
Birth Plans
Post partum support
The Community Doula program staff include:
Doula Coordinator - Leah Loud
Program Aid - Jessica Kullander
The Community Doula Program is funded primarily by the Minnesota Department of Health - Eliminating Health Disparities Initiative.
Medicine Wheel Collaborative
The Medicine Wheel Collaborative is designed to prevent child abuse and neglect in the American Indian community. It is a formal partnership between AIFC, Ain Dah Yung and American Indian Education Program, St Paul Public School. Families struggling with attendance or parenting issues are encouraged to access services and activities.
Services and Activities
Parenting Education
Case Management - Developing a family care plan that identifies strengths and goals
Referrals and resources to help stabilize families
Advocacy and Social support
The Medicine Wheel Collaborative staff include:
Youth Worker - Lynn LaPointe, AIFC
Family Advocate - Kerri Rosebear-Channer, Indian Education
Family Advocate - Roy Roberts, Ain Dah Yung
The Medicine Wheel Program is primarily funded by the Children's Trust Fund.
Father's Circle
The Father's Circle is intended to support American Indian men in their roles as providers and fathers.
