“Lighting the Lamp for Strength in Unity”

The Annual Rural Providers' Conference (RPC) will be held in Kodiak, Alaska for the second year in a row, this year beginning Monday June 7, 2010 with opening ceremonies and concluding on Friday, June 11, 2010 with a staking ceremony. The Kodiak Area Native Association is pleased to co-sponsor the conference.  Home of the Alutiiq culture, the “emerald isle” is located on the second largest island in America.  It is a region steeped in history as well as adventure opportunities.

The RPC is an annual gathering designed by rural Alaskans who are substance abuse service providers, youth, Elders and family members interested in celebrating and encouraging the continual growth of the Alaska Native Sobriety Movement. The RPC embraces and unites traditional Alaska Native knowledge and modern treatment methods in the battle against alcohol and drug abuse. The conference features ceremonies, talking circles and cultural events. Workshops and general sessions are geared toward clinicians working with rural Alaskans, those in recovery, as well as Elders, youth, and other adults.  UAA-Kodiak College academic credit, Alaska Commission for Behavioral Health Certification, as well as CEU credits are available for conference attendees.

Since its formation in 1984 when 60 participants gathered at Camp Carroll in Anchorage, the RPC has grown significantly with as many as 400 people attending annually. Now in its 27th year, the conference has traveled to 11 different Alaskan communities, with each hosting the conference for two consecutive years.

Early registration fees are $55 for adults and $30 for youth (ages 13-18).  After May 1, the fees will be $85 for adults and $45 for youth.  Online registration is available here:  http://rpc2010.eventbrite.com/.  There are two ways to travel to Kodiak: by plane or by the Alaska Marine Highway.  Alaska Airlines and ERA both serve Kodiak.  The ferry has routes from Whittier and Homer.  Those participants flying into Anchorage from rural communities can receive a 5-10% discount Alaska Airlines using code ECCMB1404.  Era/Frontier Airlines is offering a 15% discount.  Reservations must be made by calling 1-800-866-8394 and referencing Event ID RPC10 to receive the event fare. Travel must take place between June 4 and 14^th to receive the discount.

The conference will be held at the Kodiak High School at 722 Mill Bay Road - a central location close to downtown Kodiak.  Hotels offering RPC discounts in Kodiak are:  the Best Western Kodiak Inn and the Comfort Inn.  The Russian Heritage Inn and Shelikof Lodge are other lower cost options.  The RPC has events and activities each evening after workshops, however, if you’re looking for ideas to explore Kodiak while you’re there, click here for an online version of the Kodiak Visitor’s Guide.

Call for Workshop Proposals

Now accepting proposals for workshops from qualified presenters in the areas of traditional healing, spirituality, substance abuse recovery, prevention methods for suicide and/or domestic abuse, and programs that promote healthy lifestyles.  See list below to download workshop proposal form.

Exhibitors may also sign up for tables at the RPC by filling out the form below and sending in a $30 registration fee. 

For more information, contact Janice Berry at RurAL CAP, jberry@ruralcap.com, or (907) 865-7354 in Anchorage (toll free 1(800) 478-7227 Ext. 7354) or Margie Bezona, KANA Local Committee Co-Chair at (907) 486-9800.

There are currently 10 VISTA positions open for the 2010 Energy Program (training begins April 11)

What is RurAL CAP’s VISTA Energy Program?: Members of RurAL CAP’s VISTA Energy Program receive training on energy conservation, efficiency, and home energy usage, and then work in their communities to share the knowledge, apply for grants, and perform other activities that can help reduce energy costs.  VISTA Members are sponsored by an organization or Council in their village, RurAL CAP, and the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS). VISTA members must currently be residing in the rural community they wish to serve in.

What is the VISTA Position?: VISTA Members work full time in their villages for one year, with office space provided by a local sponsoring organization or Council.  A local Site Supervisor will oversee a VISTA Member’s day-to-day work, mentor the Member, and guide the Member to ensure that projects are appropriate for local conditions.  RurAL CAP and CNCS provide Members with a monthly stipend, benefits, training, and program management support.

Priority will be given to rural communities who currently need support on existing energy projects, such as looking into/planning renewable energy projects/options, EECBG projects, developing a community energy policy, community energy education, and so forth.

For complete program information, please refer to the letter to Councils and the Position Announcement.

If you have any further inquiries after reading through the material, please contact Chris Weatherly by phone at 1-800-478-7227 ext 7360 or by e-mail at cweatherly@ruralcap.com

Thank you!

The Rural Alaska Community Action Program, Inc. (RurAL CAP) announces that in a unanimous vote of the Board, Andrew Ebona of Juneau was recently re-elected President of the Board of Directors for the fourth consecutive year.  Mr. Ebona, a well-known Alaska Native leader, will serve his seventh term as RurAL CAP Board President, bringing his extensive experience to a demanding leadership role.  A long-time member of the RurAL CAP board, Mr. Ebona also served as President in 1983, 2004, and 2006 through 2009.

Fun, culturally relevant activities to help build babies’ brains
Guides describing activities that help build babies’ and young children’s brains are now available in Yup’ik. Copies of Mikelnguut Ayagmek Elluarrluki Anglivkallrat are available free of charge from Best Beginnings, (907) 297-3300 or www.BestBeginningsAlaska.org.  The activity guides contain fun, culturally relevant activities to help babies’ brains grow in ways that will help them succeed in school and in life. There are three guides: infant (birth to 18 months), toddler (18 months to 3 years), and preschooler (ages 3 to 5).

The Rural Alaska Community Action Program, Inc. (RurAL CAP) has launched an American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funded program to help Alaskans who are struggling to manage mortgages, rent, loans, credit card debt, and at risk of losing their home. A website www.housinghelpnowalaska.org, has been developed to provide basic information on the foreclosure process, predatory lending practices, rescue scams and tenant’s rights. A hotline phone number, 1-888-643-5725, offers free credit counseling and legal assistance.

RurAL CAP and Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium are soliciting proposals for community environmental demonstration projects that are innovative and address approaches for enhancing human health and the environment of Tribal communities in rural Alaska. Click the "Read More" link to download documents and related information.

The Rural Alaska Community Action Program, Inc. (RurAL CAP) announces the following staff who have recently completed the Family Development Credential program.  The Family Development Credential Program is a national professional development course and credentialing program developed by Cornell University to provide frontline workers with the skills and competencies they need to empower families.