Southcentral Foundation Celebrates 20th Anniversary of Dena A Coy Program

It provides both residential and outpatient services for Native women struggling with addiction while preparing to give birth or already raising small children.

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By Bill McAllister
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Story Created: Jul 11, 2011 at 4:25 PM AKDT

Story Updated: Jul 11, 2011 at 5:15 PM AKDT

It's a program that has served more than 1,500 women and nearly 500 toddlers or newborns.

And today Southcentral Foundation celebrated the 20th anniversary of Dena A Coy, the program named after the Athabascan phrase for "the people's grandchildren."

They say it was the first treatment program in the United States aimed at preventing Fetal Alcohol Syndrome -- and the first to admit young children with their mothers.

"Today Dena A Coy remains the only program in the state that provides comprehensive residential and out-patient services to meet the specific needs of pregnant and parenting women,” said Kathleen Gottlieb, president/CEO of Southcentral Foundation.

Southcentral foundation, the non-profit health care affiliate of Cook Inlet Region Inc., began the Dena A Coy program in 1991, with a congressional appropriation engineered by the late Senator Ted Stevens.

It provides both residential and outpatient services for Native women struggling with addiction while preparing to give birth or already raising small children.

"Dena A Coy looks at all the needs of our women -- physical, mental, emotional and spiritual -- for the women and families that we serve," said Michelle Baker, operations director of the Behavioral Services Division of Southcentral Foundation.

Ravin Brightwater, 23, is in the program with her three-year-old son Dameon, who was born testing positive for THC, the active ingredient in marijuana.

Brightwater says that Dena A Coy provides more one-on-one treatment than a previous residential program she was in.

"Like with me, they help you get coping skills to deal with situations. They help you understand your triggers to relapsing and help you prevent that."

And the clients are an inspiration to the staff.

"I sat down with the women last week and listened to their stories and what impressed me the most was their absolute optimism at what their life can be in recovery,” said Tara Curry, manager of Dena A Coy.

With a song and a dance, Southcentral Foundation celebrated a program that has changed hundreds of lives ... and that 20 years later, is still going strong.

 

 

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