Southcentral Foundation Seeks CIRI Shareholders to Serve on Board

Over the past 20 years, Southcentral Foundation, the Alaska Native non-profit regional health care corporation operating under CIRI's tribal authority, has grown immensely. Today, the organization, which has nearly 1,300 employees and administers 65 programs, provides health and related services to roughly 36,000 Alaska Natives and American Indians from Anchorage and the Mat-Su Valley, as well as primary care services to an additional 10,000 rural residents and certain statewide health services.

Since its first contract with the Alaska Area Native Health Service in 1984, Southcentral Foundation has grown to provide comprehensive health related services. The first contract included dentistry, optometry, the Community Health Representative (CHR) program and community injury prevention programming. Substance abuse treatment was added in 1987, and in 1993, Southcentral Foundation contracted to provide psychiatric care services. Gradually, Southcentral Foundation increased its contracting capacity to include family medicine and by 1994 was administering nearly half of the primary care services for Alaska Natives in the Anchorage Service Unit. In 1998, Southcentral Foundation negotiated with the Indian Health Service, obtaining ownership and management of programs located in the Anchorage Native Primary Care Center. With continual growth and expansion, in 1999, Southcentral Foundation signed an agreement to jointly own and manage all medical programs on the Alaska Native Health Campus with the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium.

Through the years, Southcentral Foundation has been governed by an all Alaska Native board appointed by the CIRI Board of Directors. The initial board consisted of five directors and was expanded to seven directors in 1994. With the growth of the organization and its programs and services, the Southcentral Foundation Board is again adding two more positions for a total of nine directors.

What is expected of a Southcentral Foundation Board Member?
Directors are responsible for determining the business affairs and policies of the corporation that further Southcentral Foundation's corporate goals and working with the Native Community to achieve wellness through health and related services. The organization's vision is to achieve a Native community that enjoys physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual wellness. The Southcentral Foundation Board meets every other month. All directors are appointed to three-year terms. In addition, the Southcentral Foundation Board appoints members to the executive, audit, and compensation committees in March.

Qualifications for Board of Directors
Southcentral Foundation encourages qualified and professional CIRI shareholders to apply for consideration. Candidates must be a voting CIRI shareholder; be at least 18 years of age; be well-rounded with a demonstrated understanding of business operations; medical or health care experience recommended; be a strong decision-maker; possess strong leadership and communication skills, demonstrate honesty and integrity; and be involved in Alaska Native issues. Interested candidates should apply in writing by sending their current resume with references to Southcentral Foundation, 4501 Diplomacy Drive, Anchorage, Alaska 99508 by Nov. 15, 2005.

The Southcentral Foundation Board of Directors will review the resumes and arrange for telephone or in-person interviews with qualified candidates. Final recommendations will then be submitted to the CIRI Board of Directors who will make the final selection and appointment. For additional information, contact Alexis K. Colberg, Southcentral Foundation Systems Administrator, at acolberg@scf.cc or call (907)729-4955.

Cook Inlet Housing Authority Selected for Focus Community Initiative

The Wells Fargo Housing Foundation has selected Anchorage as a 2005 Focus Community Initiative award winner, one of six cities nationally to be recognized. The award comes with a $100,000 challenge grant, which will be used to help income-qualified families become homeowners.

Wells Fargo recognizes Cook Inlet Housing Authority's affordable housing leadership role in the Anchorage community and has invited the Housing Authority to be the Focus Community Initiative award recipient. Cook Inlet Housing Authority has agreed to raise the minimum $100,000 challenge fund match. These funds must come from individuals, businesses, and foundations; and may be used to fund other supportive neighborhood revitalization activities.

Cook Inlet Housing Authority will use the original Foundation money for down payment assistance to help 18 families purchase single-family homes being built in Mountain View in conjunction with the Housing Authority's neighborhood revitalization efforts.

The matching funds will be used to support an affordable housing design competition - with winning design to be constructed in Mountain View in summer 2006 - as well as continued Mountain View neighborhood revitalization efforts.

To make a donation or for more information about the grant or Cook Inlet Housing Authority's current homeownership and rental opportunities in Mountain View, call (907) 793-3000.

Online Scholarship and Grant Application

The CIRI Foundation is pleased to announce that our new Online Scholarship and Grant Application is available on our website at www.ciri.com/tcf. Go to the Scholarships and Education Grants page and click on *NEW* Online TCF Scholarship and Grant Program Application.

The CIRI Foundation Hires New Program Assistant

The CIRI Foundation has hired CIRI shareholder Brianna Cannon as the program assistant for The Foundation's scholarship and grant program. Cannon, who was employed at The Foundation as the administrative assistant from 2001 to 2003, was born and raised in Carlsbad, N.M., and is of Inupiaq and Caucasian heritage. She is currently attending the University of Alaska Anchorage and majoring in applied ethics. Cannon lives in Wasilla with her husband, Ariel, and her 17-month-old son, Noah.

"It is a challenge to balance school, work, and life. But it is a privilege to be given the chance and an honor to be working with CIRI original enrollees and descendants. I am proud to be working at The CIRI Foundation again, assisting and encouraging others to achieve their goals," said Cannon.