Nakenu Family Center
Nakenu Family Center is a comprehensive mental health and chemical dependency treatment facility. Licensed professional staff members strive to provide culturally relevant and evidence-based counseling services to local Tribal members, Alaska Natives, and the overall community.
Mental Health Services include individual and family therapy, interactive play therapy for children, crisis intervention, and a variety of therapeutic groups. Clinical staff includes Licensed Social Workers and Professional Counselors who are adept at working with adults, adolescents and children from an array of lifestyles and cultural backgrounds. Referrals to additional Tribal programs and other local agencies may be included in treatment. Mental health treatment is provided with an emphasis on healthy individuals, family and communities.
Nakenu Chemical Dependency Recovery Program works with individuals and families whose lives have been impacted by substance abuse or dependency. Certified Chemical Dependency Counselors provide assessments and placement within the appropriate level of care. Early Intervention, Outpatient, and Continuing Care services are available on-site, as well as assistance in transitioning to residential treatment facilities. Staff members focus on cultural and family strengths to assist individuals in achieving abstinence and maintaining a program of recovery. Day and evening groups facilitate the availablity of these services for both adult and adolescent populations. This program promotes increased mental, spiritual and physical health.
Clients seeking treatment at Nakenu Family Center have the benefit of comprehensive assessments, treatment recommendations formulated toward the individual's needs, and support services to assist in successful outcomes. Tribal Advocacy staff provide family support and preservation, parenting skills classes, and assist Tribal and State Courts in protecting the next generation of Native children. Incorporated within clinical services are culturally relevant experiential activities such as traditional arts and crafts, fishing, Heartbeat of Mother Earth adult drum, and talking circles.
Our staff is proud to be recognized within the State of Alaska as an effective and efficient treatment facility. In 2006, one State official is quoted as saying:
"You and your agency have achieved the highest onsite scores of any of the other agencies... It takes a lot of commitment, energy and hard work to get scores that high! I always liked the positive attitude Nakenu staff demonstrated toward their patients and the treatment provided appeared to be of good quality, but now I have a report from Program Integrity to back me up!"
Related Links
- IHS Community Suicide Prevention Website
- Online materials about Alaska Native history, education, languages, and cultures
- National Indian Child Welfare Association
- State of Alaska; Office of Children's Service
- Native Dispute Resolution Network
- Alaska Sex Offenders Registry
