January 14, 2019 at 4:26 p.m.
LdF Gookomis Endaad partners with Vilas County to aid inmate reintroduction into community
Thompson: 'If we want to see something different, we have to try something different'
LdF Gookomis Endaad partners with Vilas County to aid inmate reintroduction into community
By Abigail Bostwick-
"It was evident we needed to be a vehicle to help those incarcerated," observed administrator Patty Thompson of Gookomis Endaad ("Your grandmother's house").
Thompson said the Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians CARF accredited and state licensed organization Gookomis Endaad approached Vilas County law enforcement - including sheriff Joe Fath, Judge Neal Nielsen and jail administrator Bill Weiss - with the idea of a pilot program aiding inmates rejoining society.
"They were all for it," Thompson said. "They were so supportive."
The new program offers medication-assisted therapy, 90 days of in-treatment care, cognitive counseling and another 90 days of intensive out-patient care or more. Ongoing sobriety support is also an option with a housing opportunity stay at Ombedam Endaad, peer-supported transitional housing.
"This is for those who want to get help," sheriff Joe Fath said. "This is an option to change their lifestyle."
Those approved for the program must be at least 18, meet physical requirements, be able to take Naltrexone (Vivitrol), meet criteria for in-patient treatment and have been diagnosed with an opioid or alcohol dependency disorder in recent years. Participants must not be pregnant and have to be referred by the jail administration. Participants may be Native American or not, Thompson added.
"It's a community re-entry program," Thompson said. "We hope to expand it in the future. So far, it's been really successful."
The program began last fall and has had four participants thus far. Three were employed before they left the program, all committed to continuing their ongoing sobriety, counseling and aftercare, Thompson said.
The pilot program is aimed to last two years, after which time administrators hope to see a baseline and data to continue forward.
"If we want to see something different, we have to try something different," Thompson said of the pilot program.
In the rural deep woods of Lac du Flambeau, the 18-bed Gookomis Endaad offers a therapeutic setting with clinical and traditional Native American tribal healing practices that support "relatives" (called clients in other settings) for in-patient and out-patient behavioral care for alcohol and drug and co-disorders.
Services there encompass cognitive restructuring, counseling, moral recognition therapy, life skill training and aftercare support. There also are healing activities such as art therapy, chiropractic care, gardening and woodcarving. On-site are mental health and AODA counselors, a psychiatric nurse practitioner, licensed nurse, clinical social worker and culture liaison as well as recovery coaches.
"Our goal is to help them achieve their goals," Thompson said.
Area employers have been supportive of the pilot program and of patients re-entering society, indicated Thompson.
"They become part of the team," she said of employers. "These individuals have a lot of good skills."
Gookomis Endaad is on the Lac du Flambeau Healing and Wellness Campus on 40 acres along the shores of Lake Pokegama near health and dental clinics, peer-supported transitional housing, education and government services. It is meant to feel like a home, rooted in the culture of the Anishinaabeg.
"We have a really great staff here," Thompson said.
Thompson has been administrator at Gookomis Endaad for just over a year. She returned to the area after several years away, coming home to assist her mother and staying when she felt her deep roots pull once again.
"It was clear this was where I was meant to be," she said.
Thompson has earned a master's degree in counseling and business administration. She worked in the area in clinic finances before being offered the position of administrator at the CBRF.
"I absolutely love it," Thompson observed. "We're doing really well."
Most rewarding, Thompson said, is seeing the patient re-enter society with hope.
"Seeing their growth," she observed. "Working with them every day, watching them flourish and leaving with hope ... Lac du Flambeau has made an awesome investment here."
Thompson noted those wishing to help in the program are encouraged to reach out if they have unique skills they may be able to share with patients. Everyone can always help by donating funds which help residents starting over with nothing, and giving to their local Goodwill. For more information, visit gookomisendaad.com/community-reentry-program.
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