ABOUT NATIVE AMERICAN REHABILITATION ASSOCIATION OF THE NORTHWEST, INC.
Guided by its mission to provide culturally appropriate education and health services to Native Americans, Alaska Natives, and any individuals in need, Native American Rehabilitation Association of the Northwest (NARA) operates out of eight locations in and around Portland, Oregon.
NARA is one of Oregon’s 117 private, non-profit treatment providers, and provides residential treatment and outpatient treatment for adults, as well as age-appropriate outpatient treatment for youth ages 12 to 17. Adults seeking help with gambling problems may find treatment through the center’s outpatient program. Detox is not available on site.
TREATMENT & ASSESSMENT
Upon admission to the Native American Rehabilitation Association of the Northwest (NARA), all clients undergo a comprehensive assessment and evaluation. Adults who require a high level of structure and support may opt for residential care. Like all programs offered by NARA, residential services are overseen by a cultural director who ensures that all staff and treatments adhere to cultural competency guidelines.
Clients enrolled in the residential program receive case management and participate in a mix of individual counseling, group therapy, cultural activities, and 12-Step support groups. Case management is also an important component of treatment.
Education also plays an important role in treatment. Parenting classes are available, and children five years of age and younger may reside with their parents during treatment. Only eight of Oregon’s treatment facilities allow children to stay with their parents. Case managers can help with arrangements for medical care, mental health services, and housing support.
Outpatient treatment for both adults and adolescents is offered Monday through Friday. Adult programming addresses problems with gambling as well as substance abuse through counseling, gender-specific groups, cultural activities, DUI rehab, and educational workshops. Up to 60% of Oregon’s facilities provide gender-specific treatment options.
Specialized tracks for Two Spirit and LGBTQ clients are available, making NARA one of Oregon’s 33 facilities with a similar program. Youth programming is similar in design, but modified for adolescents. Only 34.1% of Oregon’s facilities provide treatment specifically designed for adolescents.
STAFF CREDENTIALS
NARA’s multidisciplinary staff includes psychiatrists, psychologists, nurse practitioners, master’s level counselors, certified alcohol and drug counselors, and other mental health professionals. There is also a support team filled with specialists in different areas including specialized treatment methods, administrative staff members, and facility support staff like chefs.
ACCOMMODATIONS & AMENITIES
While information is limited concerning the facility’s accommodations and amenities, the six individuals polled by Best-rehabs.com to date felt the facilities were well-maintained.
Facility Cleanliness and Upkeep: 4.3/5
WHAT ALUMNI SAY
At the time of this writing, the five alumni polled by Best-rehabs.com had mostly positive feedback about their experiences at NARA, specifically praising the facility’s staff and treatment approach. One anonymous alum praised the “great counselors,” and R.J. found the exceptional staff to be “like a family.” “NARA helped me forgive myself and let go of my self hate that fuelled my need to punish myself with altering substances,” R.J. wrote.
Holistic Offerings: 4.5/5
Staff Experience and Training: 4.4/5
Offering five-star ratings for the level of staff support and respect shown to clients, alum S.E.B added: “It was more than worth the cost. It is an amazing program that saved my life!”
On Facebook, Native American Rehabilitation Association of the Northwest, Inc. earned an average of 4.7 out of five stars from 128 reviews to date on its page, which it can manage.[1] One hundred and six of the reviews were five out of five stars. While a single reviewer wrote about difficulties discussing possible treatment, alumni overwhelmingly provided positive feedback describing an effective program, caring staff, and a faith-based focus.
On Google, NARA’s Residential Treatment Center has a perfect average of 4.8 out of five stars from 13 reviews to date.[2] The feedback echoes reviews on Facebook, with several alumni and loved ones indicating they found long-term sobriety with the program. “The culture based treatment and the fact that they treat the whole person’s needs physical mental social and spiritual,” Carol, a representative reviewer, wrote.
WHAT FRIENDS & FAMILY SAY
The single loved polled by Best-rehabs.com about NARA provided mixed feedback. The loved one would highly recommend treatment and provided four out of five stars for its holistic offerings, level of staff experience, and exercise and leisure opportunities. However, they provided just two stars for affordability and connectivity with their loved one. Citing “Native American Oriented” as a strength, the loved one wrote: “I like song and prayer sweatlodge,” but felt that adequate protection for clients (from other clients) was lacking.
WHAT STAFF SAY
On Glassdoor, seven employees left an average rating of 3.1 out of five stars to date about their experience working at the Native American Rehabilitation Association.[3] Most employees indicated that they enjoyed their jobs, particularly working with “great employees” toward a “worthwhile mission.” Criticisms tended to regard management, who some felt were disorganized and unsupportive.
FINANCING
NARA is partially funded through donations, which may affect the cost of treatment. It is also funded by several local and federal government agencies. The two alumni polled on affordability each gave the NARA five out of five stars, while the loved one gave only two out of five stars.
CONCLUSION
NARA hosts cultural events in the community as a means of promoting initiatives as well as caring for the spiritual wellness of the community. Every year, NARA hosts the Spirit of Giving Conference in the area, which serves as a means of providing spiritual healing and preserving the local culture.
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