Southeast Alaska Independent Living (SAIL) announced a new project geared toward increasing independent living services for rural Alaska Natives who experience a disability.
SAIL was chosen as one of only three demonstration projects in the entire nation by the U.S. Department of Health and Social Services’ Administration on Community Living.
“SAIL has maintained a dream goal of providing staff in our region’s smaller communities and this moves us solidly in the direction of one day hiring and realizing that dream,” SAIL Executive Director Joan O’Keefe said.
The federally-funded, three-year demonstration project, called Independent Living Services to Alaska Natives with Disabilities, or IL STAND, will increase SAIL’s service delivery to six villages in Southeast: Hoonah, Angoon, Yakutat, Metlakatla, Kake and Klawock.
With the goal of locally hired staff in each community by year two of the project, it will allow SAIL to better understand, and respond to, the service needs of Alaska Natives with disabilities in rural Southeast and disseminate “best practices” to other centers for independent living in Alaska, Hawaii, the Lower 48 states and U.S. territories
“At the core of this demonstration project is making sure SAIL, as an agency, is in a better position to address the barriers faced by Native peoples with disabilities in rural Southeast communities,” O’Keefe said. “This includes improving cultural competency and understanding among staff while strengthening relationships with Native elders, community leaders, tribal organizations and tribal service organizations.”
SAIL is currently accepting applications for a project coordinator. For a full position description and application, visit www.sailinc.org/jobs.
