From the moment a baby takes its first breath, early medical screenings can make a world of difference. In this episode of Black Feathers, host Dr. Crystal Hernandez talks with Shari Arceneaux, RN BSN, Newborn Screening Educator, OK State Department of Health about the critical role of newborn screenings in detecting life-altering conditions before symptoms even appear. Through expert insights, we discuss how these early interventions are saving lives, improving long-term health outcomes, and addressing disparities in healthcare access. Tune in as we discuss the science, the impact, and the future of newborn screening programs in Tribal Health Systems and throughout Oklahoma.

In this episode, host Dr. Crystal Hernandez dives into the vital topic of transition services for Native American adults with disabilities. Joined by Stephanie Ninke and Dawn Newrider from the Gateways Foundation, this conversation explores the challenges, opportunities, and resources available to support these individuals on their path to independence. Tune in for an honest, important dialogue that sheds light on the intersection of culture, community, and disability services.

In this episode, host Crystal Hernandez sits down with three esteemed disability child care experts from the Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes, Carrie F. Whitlow, Mary Davenport, LMSW u/s, and Megan Hart. They share their invaluable experiences and insights on fostering inclusive environments for children with disabilities. Join us as we explore culturally responsive strategies, community support systems, and the vital role of advocacy in helping familes with quality and affordable child care services. Tune in to discover how these experts are paving the way for empowerment and resilience in their communities!

This month host Crystal is joined by Dana Miller, a Seminole and Ojibwe citizen, who serves as Ward 1 Councilperson for the City of Seminole. In her professional career, Dana has proposed and implemented innovative strategies that have led to effective policy and best practices. Highlights of her career in Medicaid include implementing a policy that allowed for coverage of Native children residing in boarding schools. Dana has been recognized nationally for efforts to address healthcare disparities in tribal communities.  After a long tenure with state government, she now owns Dana Miller Consulting (DMC) where she provides expert guidance and advocacy for tribal health care programs. They discuss the importance of strengthening Native people: Gathering resources and knowledge about system navigation and bringing it back for the greater good.

In Episode 11, Crystal talks with Dr. Shea Tanis, from the University of Kansas, about her project the State of the States in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. The State of the States in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities project was initiated in 1982 to investigate the determinants of public spending for intellectual and developmental disabilities services in the United States. The project has developed a 40-year record of revenue, spending, and programmatic trends in the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the United States as a whole.

Crystal talks with three individuals who serve on the National Indian Council on Aging (NICOA) Larry Curley, Navajo Nation, executive director of NICOA, Desiree Lapahie, Navajo Nation, data analyst of the NICOA and Rebecca Owl Morgan, Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, project coordinator at the NICOA.  They discuss updates to the Toolkit "Understanding Disabilities in American Indian & Alaska Native Communities".

In Episode 9, hosts Crystal and Shauna are joined by special guest Kodey Toney. Kodey is the director of the Pervasive Parenting Resource Center C.P.R.C., but most importantly he is a father and husband. He and his wife Jennifer have two sons, Konner and Kruz. Konner’s diagnosis of autism at the age of three has sparked him to create a resource center to help families in eastern Oklahoma cope with disabilities. In 2015, Toney received the TARC Parent Advocate of the Year award for the state of Oklahoma. He was also named the 2019 Oklahoma Advocate of the Year for Partners in Policymaking, and the 2019 Community Health Champion for the state of Oklahoma. He sits on more than 20 boards and committees and serves as a voice for fathers and rural communities. 

You can check out Pervasive Parenting’s website by clicking here: Pervasive Parenting Website

For a full list of resources please visit: The Black Feathers Podcast

Crystal and Shauna are joined by special guest Joshua Drywater. Joshua is the Program Manager for Native Initiatives at the University of Arizona’s Sonoran Center for Excellence in Disabilities. He and his team support people overcoming barriers to employment through initiatives such as the Finds Their Way Project. The Finds Their Way Project supports Native youth with disabilities in developing knowledge to participate in competitive, integrated employment.

For a full list of resources please visit: The Black Feathers Podcast 

In episode 7, hosts Crystal and Shauna are joined by Dr. Misty Boyd and Dr. Shannon Dial. Dr. Dial received her PhD in 2014 and shortly after began her work for the Chickasaw Nation. Shannon has been with the tribe for eight years and currently works as the Executive Officer of the Integrated Services Division in the Department of Family Services. Because April is Autism Acceptance Month, they hope this episode will help raise awareness about the need for early childhood autism screening services, the importance of community and family voices, and they discuss the hurdles in setting up autism amenities in rural Tribal areas. 

For a full list of resources please visit: The Black Feathers Podcast 

Crystal and Shauna investigate the partnerships across the U.S. between state Councils on Developmental Disabilities and Tribal Nations. They were joined by joined by Sarah Young Bear-Brown a member of the Sac & Fox Tribe of the Mississippi in Iowa - the Meskwaki Nation, Dr. Cheryl Funmaker and Kody Funmaker from the Ho-Chunk Nation in Wisconsin. Darold H. Joseph, Ph.D. of Paa-Is-wung-wa (Water Coyote Clan) from the Hopi Village of Lower Moenkopi.