Family and Youth Services, Youth Residential Services Highlights

• Completed a SAMSHA Tribal Opioid Response grant (Harvesting Our Wellness through Cultural knowledge). Several “Culture Days” were hosted for the community including; camas harvesting, wild greens and beaches and Cooking in traditional earthen ovens. 10 staff completed a 72 hour apprenticeship with Plant Teachings expert Val Segrest. Apprentices’ learned about different indigenous plants and the corresponding medicinal and social-emotional qualities. Traditional medicine Apothecaries were set up in 3 BHP locations to be utilized by staff and clients. Traditional Medicine First Aide kits were distributed at Tonanamus Days and at the Community Health Fair. Behavioral Health has adopted the Plant Teachings for Social Emotional Skills as an important tool to assist prevention and intervention.
• Collaborated with the Youth Development Department to provide culture based prevention education to youth. Co-produced and end of summer field day.
• Positive Indian Parenting Classes offered in Fall of 2022, along with new training for staff and community members.
• Participated in prevention activities with Muckleshoot Tribal School including during Red Ribbon week (October Drug and Alcohol prevention month) sharing plant medicine information, and, made Huckleberry sodas for 250 Muckleshoot Tribal School students.

General Behavioral Health Program Highlights

Apothecary with Valerie Segrest

BHP staff members participated in a six month Herbal Foundation Apprenticeship instructed by Valerie Segrest. Two mental health counselors and one outreach aid (Muckleshoot Tribal Member) participated to gain field experience harvesting, identifying traditional plants of the Muckleshoot People to gain an understanding of how plant teachings offer support with social and emotional health. The course was supported by SAMSHA Harvesting Our Wellness Grant. The second phase of this program includes the addition of apothecary cabinets at Adult BHP, FYS, and Sacred House to offer traditional medicines and incorporate more holistic methods of healing.

Overdose Prevention Training and Narcan Distribution

Distributed close to 1400 Narcan kits from January to October 2022 in an initiative to increase awareness and to prevent overdoses in the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe through community engagement and support events.

Deployment of the Behavioral Health After-Hours Helpline: (253) 290-2824

Muckleshoot clinical staff are now available to help callers with emotional distress and find assistance if needed. 

In January 2022, the Muckleshoot Behavioral Health Program and Family and Youth Services launched an after-hours phone line for urgent mental health or chemical dependency needs.

The After-Hours Helpline was developed in response to community feedback and is monitored by BHP mental health and substance use disorder professionals.

Community members are encouraged to call BHP during business hours for urgent support at (253) 804-8752, but the After-Hours Helpline is available to the Muckleshoot community 7 days a week outside of regular business hours, including weekends, evenings, holidays and closures.