Web-based Training: Improving Services to Native American Social Security Beneficiaries with Disabilities in Tribal and Urban Areas

 

Training Dates: July 21 - August 8

Instructor: Katja Stromnes-Elias (katja@sio.midco.net)

Co-facilitators: Julie Clay (jclay@ruralinstitute.umt.edu) and Jeanie Castillo (castillo@ruralinstitute.umt.edu)

Online Discussion Board Address: http://ruralinstitute.umt.edu/cgi-bin/discus/discus.cgi

Please read our Welcome Message


Web Course Guidelines:
For Effective On-line Communication
For Participation and Discussion Questions
For Using On-line Discussion Boards

Page quicklinks

Training Goal
Training Objectives
Training Prerequisites
Certificate of Completion
Training Materials
Instructional Media
Course Requirements
Training Schedule
Week One Description
Week Two Description
Week Three Description

 

Training Goal

Through this web-based course, CWICs will gain a basic understanding of cultural issues and concerns of Native American Social Security beneficiaries and learn effective outreach techniques to improve services.


Training Objectives

By the end of the CWIC training course, participants will do the following:

  • Learn statistical and historical information on the diversity of indigenous peoples in the United States and the different degrees to which they have adopted mainstream cultural patterns (acculturation);
  • Understand the concept of tribal sovereignty and how it affects accessibility for people with disabilities;
  • Examine differences in communication styles and social protocols and learn guidelines for effective and respectful cross-cultural communication in order to facilitate outreach in Native communities;
  • Learn strategies for conducting outreach in Native communities including how to make contact and partner with tribal liaisons;
  • Learn why Talking Circles are an effective outreach tool and how to implement one in their service area.


Training Prerequisites

Participants in this training course are expected to have attended at least one teleconference hosted by the American Indian Disability Technical Assistance Center since 2006.


Certificate of Completion

Upon completion of the three-week training, participants will receive a certificate acknowledging their successful completion of the course.


Training Materials

Stromnes-Elias, K. (2007). TANAC: A Field Guide for Community Work Incentives Coordinators: How to Improve Services to Native American Social Security Beneficiaries with Disabilities in Tribal and Urban Areas. Missoula, Montana: AIDTAC.

Payne, B. (2007). TANAC: Outreach to Native Americans with Disabilities: Organizations and Resources for Collaboration . Missoula, Montana: AIDTAC.


Instructional Media

Participants will use several methods to access and discuss instructional materials:


Course Requirements

In order to benefit fully from the course, participants are asked to read course materials, respond to discussion questions, participate regularly in online discussions, and complete three weekly assignments.

  • Discussion questions – Each week, participants will be asked to read chapters from the fieldguide and write a 100 to 200 word response to the discussion question listed in the syllabus. This response will be posted to the online forum allowing participants the opportunity to learn from each other’s expertise and knowledge.
  • Participation in online discussions – One of the drawbacks of web-based instruction is the lack of interaction with fellow classmates and the instructor. To make the course more interactive, we have added a discussion-question component to allow participants the opportunity to write about the readings and respond to classmates’ ideas. Therefore, participation in the online discussion forum is key to the design of this course, and participants are required to post at least three substantive messages each week responding to their classmates’ discussion-question answers. Substantive messages are more than “I agree” or “good point.” To be substantive, a message should advance the dialogue on that topic by adding personal perspective or relevant resources.
  • Weekly assignments – Participants are asked to complete a short assignment each week and email it directly to the instructor for feedback. These assignments are designed to help participants identify and make contacts in their service areas.


Training Schedule

  • Week One Topics:
    • Diversity of indigenous people in the United States
    • Varying degrees to which native peoples have assimilated to mainstream culture also known as acculturation
    • Tribal sovereignty and how it affects accessibility for people with disabilities
  • Week Two Topics:
    • Differences in communication styles and social protocols
    • Achieving cultural competency
  • Week Three Topics:
    • Partnering with tribal liaisons
    • Effective outreach strategies
    • Holding a Talking Circle

Week One

  • Readings:
    • Chapters One, Two & Three of A Field Guide for Community Work Incentives Coordinators.
  • Discussion Questions:
    • Discussion Question One: Due to discussion board by Tuesday of Week One
      • Based on information you read in Chapter Three of A Field Guide for Community Work Incentives Coordinators, is the impact of tribal sovereignty on disability programs an issue for the American Indians, Alaska Natives, or Native Hawaiians living in your service area? Why or why not? If yes, how are they impacted?
    • Discussion Question Two: Due to discussion board by Thursday of Week One
      • List the American Indian, Alaska Native, or Native Hawaiian groups living in your service area. What are some of the challenges faced by the groups living in your area? Consider differences in acculturation, rural vs. urban, and other factors discussed in Chapters One & Two.
  • Assignment:

Week Two

  • Readings:
    • Chapter Four of A Field Guide for Community Work Incentives Coordinators.
  • Discussion Questions:
    • Discussion Question One: Due to discussion board by Tuesday of Week Two
      • Reflect on a time in the past when differences in communication styles made it difficult for you to effectively communicate with another person. Looking back on the interaction, can you relate to any of the concepts discussed in Chapter Four? How do you think the information in Chapter Four might have helped make the communication more effective?
    • Discussion Question Two: Due to discussion board by Thursday of Week Two
      • Pick one protocol, guideline, value or communication style presented in Chapter Four that you found particularly interesting or useful. Explain which you chose and how do you plan to incorporate this knowledge in your outreach to American Indians, Alaska Natives, or Native Hawaiians living in your service area?
  • Assignment:
    • Assignment Two: Due to instructor’s email by Wednesday of Week Two
      • Use information from Appendix II of A Field Guide for Community Work Incentives Coordinators and the TANAC Fact Sheet Outreach to Native Americans with Disabilities: Organizations and Resources for Collaboration to discover and research community events in your area that are likely to be attended by American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians.
      • Make a list of three events you would be interested in attending and discuss what resources you will need to attend/participate in these events.

Week Three

  • Readings:
    • Chapters Five & Six of A Field Guide for Community Work Incentives Coordinators.
  • Discussion Questions:
    • Discussion Question One: Due to discussion board by Tuesday of Week Three
      • What are some outreach strategies discussed in Chapter Five? Discuss the strategies you feel would be the most effective in reaching out to American Indians, Alaska Natives, or Native Hawaiians living in your service area and why.
    • Discussion Question Two: Due to discussion board by Thursday of Week Three
      • What is a Talking Circle? What are some questions you have about how to set one up in your area? Do you feel you have the information you need to successfully facilitate such a meeting?
  • Assignment:
    • Assignment Three: Due to instructor’s email by Friday of Week Three
      • Chapter Six discusses how to hold a Talking Circle and outlines steps for implementing in your area. For this assignment, write a welcome letter to one of the contacts you identified for Assignment One from Week One. In your letter, introduce yourself and explain the purpose of the meeting you would like him/her to facilitate.