North Slope Borough Health & Social Services Department
Culturally Safe Care for a Resilient Community:
The Health & Social Services Department is committed to serving the residents of the North Slope Borough by providing culturally safe and compassionate care. With a focus on holistic well-being, the department offers a wide range of services designed to promote health, safety, and resilience within the community.
Mission To deliver culturally safe care that meets the diverse needs of the North Slope Borough, fostering health and well-being across all generations.
Key Services and Programs
The Health & Social Services Department provides comprehensive care through a variety of programs designed to address physical, mental, and social health:
Behavioral Health Services The Behavioral Health Division supports individuals, families, and communities by offering quality mental health care across the North Slope. Key programs include:
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- Arctic Women in Crisis (AWIC): Support services for women facing crisis situations.
- Children & Youth Services (CYS): Behavioral health support tailored for young residents.
- Integrated Behavioral Health (IBH) & Gathering Place Day Program: Holistic mental health care services.
- Mental Health Group Home: In collaboration with Hope Community Resources Inc., this facility in Utqiagvik provides care for adults with severe mental illnesses.
Community Health Services The Community Health Division offers direct and population-based services, ensuring that residents have access to essential medical care and public health support:
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- Community Health Aide Program: Provides outpatient and emergency care in communities without hospitals, connecting patients to medical providers.
- Public Health Nursing: Offers immunizations and addresses public health concerns.
- Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Nutrition Program: Supplies nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and healthy foods to eligible participants, including pregnant women, new mothers, and children under five.
- Public Health Office/Veterinary Clinic: Delivers medical care for domesticated animals and manages rabies control.
- Emergency Shelter and Case Management: Provides temporary shelter and support for those in need.
Health Administration Health Administration manages the administrative functions across all programs, ensuring seamless operations. Responsibilities include budgeting, finance, grants, contracts, personnel management, purchasing, safety, and staff training. This division also oversees the Health Impact Assessment Program, which analyzes the effects of oil and gas projects on public health in the North Slope.
Commitment to Quality and Accreditation
The Health & Social Services Department strives to meet international standards of care and has invited surveyors to evaluate its services. This process helps the department identify strengths and areas for improvement, ensuring continuous progress and the potential to achieve or maintain accreditation.
By integrating culturally respectful practices with comprehensive care services, the North Slope Borough Health & Social Services Department aims to build a healthier, more resilient community for generations to come.
Links
Contact
Lynette Hepa, Director
Phone Number: (907) 852-0344
Fax Number: (907) 852-0389
April Phillip, Deputy Director of Community Health
Phone Number: (907) 852-0344
Fax Number: (907) 852-0389
Joshua Stein, Deputy Director of Behavioral Health
Phone Number: (907) 852-0344
Fax Number (907) 852-0268
