Family Violence Initiative
COMPENDIUM OF PROMISING PRACTICES TO REDUCE VIOLENCE AND INCREASE SAFETY OF ABORIGINAL WOMEN IN CANADA – COMPENDIUM ANNEX: DETAILED PRACTICE DESCRIPTIONS
SOCIAL CONDITIONS
Substance Abuse Intervention
- Program name:
Rising Sun Treatment Centre
- Organization:
Rising Sun Treatment Centre (Board of Directors)
- Location:
Eel Ground First Nation, New Brunswick
- Target Group:
Individuals with addictions from the participating communities.
- Contact Name:
Cindy Ginnish, Executive Director
- Phone:
N/A
- Email:
- Website:
Program Overview
- History:
The program began in 1988 and has been in continuous operation since then. Seven staff serve the in-patient component of the facility. In the fall of 2011, a day program was initiated.
Program Description
- Goals & Objectives:
To service eleven participating communities in providing alcohol and drug treatment.
- Traditional/Indigenous ways:
Access to ceremonies is provided to clients and may include: picking medicines, talking circles, smudging and traditional drumming. Elders are brought to the facility to provide guidance and teachings to participants. The inpatient program operates under the tenets of the Medicine Wheel. The centre has a Native Parenting Program; which teaches the sacredness of children through six lessons.
- Components of program:
The program operates as an inpatient setting, with a recently added day program to serve people who don't fit into an inpatient setting; such as those taking medications, and methadone. Staff have undergone training to be aware of how women are affected differently by trauma, such as violence. They focus on validating the experience and needs of the female clients. They offer help for clients to deal with trauma issues – the techniques used depend on what the trauma is.
- Services/How they work:
Services are provided on site at the facility.
- Funding:
Funding is provided by the Department of Health Canada, (First Nations and Inuit Health Branch).
Relationships and Stakeholders
- Involvement of Target Groups:
N/A
- Partners:
N/A
- Other relationships:
The program works with the 51 other native alcohol treatment centres
Details of Program Evaluation
- Evaluation:
An evaluation has been completed.
- Highlights of Evaluation Findings:
The evaluation validated the importance of spirituality in the practices of the program stating that, "The Red Road opened the door to wellness".
Program Outcomes
- Measures of Success:
Success is measured against the client's ability to continue to make healthy life choices after completing the program.
- Achievements:
Successfully retaining staff despite low financial compensation. Successfully remaining open and operating despite low funding levels.
- Challenges:
The challenge of getting people who need treatment to come to the program. Lack of a separate funding stream, and the ability to offer National beds.
Things to Know to Replicate
- Replication Advice:
The program is considered replicable. Management of the centre needs to be set up separately. If funding is under third party management it is very difficult.
- Resources:
Sufficient funding, adequate facility space and trained staff that are knowledgeable about the culture would be necessary to ensure the success of the program.
- Date modified: