Children of the Sun Community Coalition work is made possible by HCA CPWI Grant
Children of the Sun Community Coalition meets monthly on the 1st Wednesday of the Month at 1pm. We are currently doing virtual meetings. Please contact Kim Norman at kimn@spokanetribalnetwork.org to be added to the agenda and to receive an invitation to the meetings. We have started to add the meeting information online, here. If you would like information from previous meetings please contact Kim.
Our projects include: *Mentoring Program: We ask the mentors to spend at least 2 hours a month with their mentee. We provide a monthly event for all mentors and mentees. Each mentor and mentee in attendance receives a stipend for their attendance. Also, we provide opportunities for mentors to do individual relationship building on their own time and do reimbursement of supplies.
*Strengthening Families program is for Parents and Youth 10-14 and is a nationally recognized curriculum that provides parent, youth and family education. The model is designed to be delivered in local communiteis for groups of 7-12 families. In our case, our goal is 2-3 but will take all that apply. Strengthening Families training is provided by WSU.
*SPORT Prevention Plus Wellness (PPW) is the nation's only easy to use, single-session substance use prevention program desined to increase fitness, health and performance-enhancing behaviors like physical activity, sports participaiton, healthy eating, getting adequate sleep, and practicing streess control for youth.
*GONA (Gathering of Native Americans) is a journey of healing and tranformation. It is as much about healing the past as it is about building the future. It is used to provide training and build resources around mental and substance use disorders, suicide prevention & mental health promotion. We have been able to use GONA tools in many ways to help bring awareness around bullying, lateral violence and also for strategic planning. GONA focuses on 4 themes of Belonging, Mastery, Interdependence and Generosity.
*Spokane Tribal Youth Council is a youth group that encourages all youth on or near the Spokane Reservation to join. They attend the Northwest Indian Youth Conference & other conferences. This year we are excited to attend the UNITY (United National Indian Tribal Youth) National Conference.
The Coalition offers substance use disorder trainings in the community. We participate in Red Ribbon Week, May Prevention Week, November Drug Abuse & Prevention Month and annual Drug Take back programs. We have Medicine Lock boxes available. Please contact Kim Norman @ kimn@spokanetribalnetwork.org or 509 258 4535 ext 4006.
Our Positive Social Norms advertising is provided monthly to share out results of the Washington State Healthy Youth Survey and other surveys. Staff and Coalition members also take part in policy work through Wellpinit School PBIS (Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports) and the CSP (Community School Partnership) meetings and the Spokane Tribe Law & Order Code revision work. We are also doing our own Tribal Action Plan.