History of the Ch'eghutsen' Program

Ch’eghutsen’ was formed in 1998 as a collaborative effort between the Fairbanks
Native Association, the Tanana Chiefs Conference and the University
of Alaska Fairbanks.

Each organization is able to share their strengths. Fairbanks Native Association and
Tanana Chiefs Conference make sure Ch’eghutsen’ is a culturally based system
of care. University of Alaska Fairbanks ensures that goals and objectives are
being met through systematic evaluation.

We are a unique mental health service. We focus on a culturally-based system
of care, designed specifically by and for Alaska Native people. This is
important because the Western model of mental health does not necessarily
work with the Alaska Native community. In addition to treating Alaska
Native children with culturally appropriate care the counselors who treat
the children will be Alaska Native themselves.

Ch’eghutsen’ view’s the child as inseparable from family and
community and severe emotional disturbance as affecting not just
the individual child but also the extended family and community.

A value of the Alaska Native culture is the focus on family.
Ch’eghutsen’ collaborates with other agencies on behalf of the families
they service, but each family is responsible for selecting
the services they wish to participate in.

Ch’eghutsen’ is an Athabascan word that represents one of the culture’s
most essential values and beliefs — that Children are Precious.