Divisions - Community Health Representatives / Emergency Medical Services (CHR/EMS) and Health Education

The Pawnee Nation Community Health Representatives/Emergency Medical Services (CHR/EMS) and Health Education Programs are Indian Health Service (IHS) funded programs consisting of well-trained, community-based, health care professionals.

The CHR/EMS/HE Program strives to provide quality outreach health care services and health promotion/disease prevention services to Native Americans. Through these services, we hope clients will increase their awareness and knowledge on health issues, and in turn, empower themselves to assume responsibility for their own health behavior and lifestyle to prevent disease and disability.

CHR/EMS
The purpose of the CHR/EMS Program is to act as an advocate and facilitator for families and individuals to gain access to comprehensive health care services as well as provide opportunities to enhance the quality of life for the people we serve. The aim is to serve eligible Native Americans residing in Pawnee County and the city limits of Stillwater in Payne County.

The following are CHR/EMS service activities:

Health Education - Designed to provide individuals, families and communities with the appropriate information to practice a healthy lifestyle.

Case Management - The development of a patient care plan in conjunction with a community health nurse or physician, deciding upon the various responsibilities for the people involved in the patient’s care. Serve as a patient advocate by arranging appointments, filing complaints, helping the patient obtain services and coordinates with various service providers to ensure continuity of care.

Monitor - Making periodic personal contact with a patient with a known health problem or is high risk for illness or disablement, by telephone or at home, to see if he/she is feeling well, has enough food and/or medicine, has unmet home health care needs, has adequate heating, etc., with immediate action taken to provide care for patient needs detected through monitoring.

Emergency Care - Providing care to a sick or injured person while arranging or waiting for transportation to a hospital or clinic, contracting an ambulance or hospital driver, transporting a seriously ill patient to medical care or performing crisis intervention with an emotionally upset or suicide patient.

Transport Patient - Transporting patient, without other means of transport, to/from an IHS or tribal hospital/clinic when necessary for routine, non-emergency problems, which includes waiting for a patient to finish treatment.

Delivery - Taking items such as medications, supplies, and equipment, to the patient’s home.

Policy and Transportation Guidelines:

Arrangements for transportation must be made through the CHR/EMS office.

The CHR/EMS office transports Monday through Friday. Evening and weekend transports are limited to hospital dismissals when no other means is available for the patient. The CHR/EMS office will not transport on Friday afternoons and when the Pawnee Nation is closed for business whether it is a holiday, inclement weather, etc.

Contract stipulations and tribal policy dictate that all medical referrals must originate from the Pawnee Indian Health Center.

Appointments for eligible client transports must be made 48 hours in advance. Eligible clients must bring a copy of their Certified Degree of Indian Blood (CDIB) and Medical Referral in order to be transported to their medical appointment to the CHR/EMS office.

All IHS facilities within the Pawnee Nation’s jurisdictional area are first priority. Due to the budget constraints, the CHR/EMS program will determine client transports to facilities outside the service area on an individual basis. The CHR/EMS Program prioritizes transportations according to the following:

1st Priority: All Indian Health Service (IHS) facilities within the Pawnee Nation’s service area.

2nd Priority: All Indian Health Service (IHS) facilities outside the Pawnee Nation’s service area.

3rd Priority: All non- Indian Health Service (IHS) facilities within the Pawnee Nation’s service area.

4th Priority: All non- Indian Health Service (IHS) facilities outside the Pawnee Nation’s service area.

Health Education
The purpose of the Health Education Program is to establish identifiable health education components within the tribal health department. The Health Education Program strives to encourage the active participation of tribal members and other clients in health care promotion and awareness, the maintenance of health and well-being, and the prevention of diseases and/or disability. Development and delivery of health education services are provided in the following settings: clinics, schools/classrooms, community/public gatherings, workshops, and health fairs. The target population is all eligible Indian People, including the non-Indigenous share, within the Pawnee Service Unit.


Direct Assistance

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)-provides assistance to low-income Native American households in meeting their immediate home energy needs. LIHEAP monies can be used to pay for electricity, gas, or propane bills. Yearly award amounts are based on the total fiscal funding and is subject to change from year to year. Clients must reside in Pawnee County, but do not have to be a member of the Pawnee Nation.

The following must be submitted for review to determine if participants are eligible: Completed LIHEAP Application, Proof of Residency (utility bill with current mailing address), Proof of Income and Certificate Degree of Indian Blood (CDIB).

Click on this link for the LIHEAP Application


Community Service Block Grant (CSBG)

Provides assistance to low-income Native Americans with housing or utility needs (current bill or deposit) and medical expenses (eyewear, dentures, and medications). The maximum amount of assistance is $100 per fiscal year (October- September). Clients must reside in Pawnee Nation Service area but do not have to be a member of the Pawnee Nation.

The following must be submitted for review to determine if participants are eligible: Completed CSBG Application, Proof of Residency, Proof of Income and a CDIB.

Click on this link for the CSBG Application


CHR Staff Includes:

Lisa Gooday, Program Coordinator

Serena Van Noy, Administrative Assistant

Ashley Pratt, Generalist

Aaron Carroll, Generalist

CHR Office Location:

Health and Community Services Center
400 Agency Road
Pawnee, OK 74058

CHR Mailing Address:

Health and Community Services Center
PO BOX 470
Pawnee, OK 74058

918-762-3873, Ext. 1

Hours: 
Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.