Southcentral Foundation (SCF) and Chickaloon Village Traditional Council were recently awarded a federal grant for the C’eyiits’ Hwnax Community Health Center (CHC) in Sutton, Alaska. “C’eyitts’ Hwnax” means “Life House,” and is pronounced “keye-eetz, haw-nah.
“A federal grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), an agency of the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, provides seed money for the existing clinic – which is owned by Chickaloon Village Traditional Council – to operate as a CHC. The additional funding will allow the center to provide medical services to everyone who wishes to be seen (Alaska Native and non-Native people from communities between Palmer and Eureka, including Sutton, Chickaloon and Glacier View, as well as visitors passing through), with charges adjusted on a sliding fee scale depending on household income and ability to pay.
“This is a very exciting advance in rural health care. We will be able to help more people get access to primary care services through a working relationship with our Tribal partner Chickaloon Village Traditional Council. It also opens doors for future funding proposals and expansions,” said CIRI shareholder and SCF President/CEO Katherine Gottlieb.
SCF has been managing CHCs in Illiamna, McGrath, Nikolai and Takotna with HRSA funding since 2002. SCF is responsible for managing the C’eyiits’ Hwnax grant and providing a primary care provider, a nurse, a case manager and support staff.
“Bringing health care to Sutton, Chickaloon and Glacier View has always been important to our Tribe, and our partnership with SCF has made this a reality,” said Chickaloon Traditional Chief and Chairman Gary Harrison, also a CIRI shareholder. “We are excited about being able to share these vital services with our friends and neighbors and improve the health status of our community.”
