March 15, 2004
The current Rural Human Services cohort will graduate in May.
by Sandra Kleven
The 4th Rural Human Service's (RHS) cohort is approaching graduation in May of 2004. This group is completing the first step in a sequence that can lead all the way to a bachelor's degree, master's degree or PhD. RHS is a two-year certificate program facilitated as a partnership between YKHC and the University of Alaska, College of Rural Alaska. It is part of a strategy that is sometimes referred to as "growing our own."
For decades professionals from outside Alaska were hired to fill open positions here. They contributed greatly to the quality of care in the region but, as a rule, they would leave after a few years, taking with them the knowledge gained here. RHS was established to build local capacity. More than 80 students have completed the program since 1986. Graduates may change jobs, but almost 100 percent are still in the region contributing to the well-being of their families and villages, as well as those they serve on the job.
The 32-credit sequence of classes focuses exclusively on content relevant to work as a human services professional. In February, the students were at Bethel's Cultural Center to spend a week studying case management methods and practices. RHS is built on a philosophy that training should combine the best of western practices with traditional approaches to helping. Toward this end, Rita Blumenstein and Sam Smith were in the classroom serving as "elders." This is a co-teaching position that helps preserve balance within the curriculum.
On Thursday, Diane McEachran, head social worker from the Lower Kuskokwim School District, was leading the class in a review of an earlier activity. Flip chart sheets papered the walls revealing the content from the morning's lesson--Cultural Awareness, Collaboration, Communication, Skills for Case Management. In the afternoon, student groups were working with scenarios--situations involving people asking for help. They will "role-play" scenarios in order to give a "real life" feel to the lesson.
Magnus Modigh has served as coordinator of the Rural Human Services program for the past two years. He recruited the students in the current cohort and offers guidance as they work through the program. In this group there are Village Wellness Counselors, Indian Child Welfare Workers, and Technicians in various programs. They are mature students ranging in age from late 20's to over 50.
Magnus describes RHS as "a unique educational platform" that students embrace to varying degrees. This particular group of students is on the front line of service delivery for the YK Delta region. According to Magnus, because of this high level of prior experience, they have "created a very special dynamic in the classroom--a truly positive milieu for learning and personal growth."
One student, Darlene Christensen, is employed by the Native Village of Kalskag as a Community Family Service Specialist. She says that the mix of cultural and "new" learning has been tremendously helpful to her, particularly in the way that Native values are studied and validated. She is often in the courtroom advocating for children. She says "It fits right in with my job." She is now able to emphasize "the importance of cultural values" with clarity and confidence.
For Sam Berlin, who works as a counselor in YKHC's Nicotine Control Project, it emphasizes what he has learned about counseling. He says that he's learned "to sit back and listen instead of lecturing" his clients.
"I used to think that's what counseling was about. Now, I know it is learning about them and not telling them how they should feel," Berlin said.
Larry Roberts serves as the Academic Coordinator for RHS. He has been part of the RHS experience for all previous classes. He described these students as "one of the best groups for love of learning." They bring "combined experience and openness to learning as well as pride in culture that sets up a tremendous environment for learning."