Journey to Health ECHO | August 13, 2026
Date of Presentation: August 13, 2026
Type: Past Presentation
Audience: Clinical Community
Program: Journey to Health
Keywords: #american indian #boarding #indigenous #mental health #opioid #OUD #polysubstance #resilience #school #substance use disorder #wellness
In this presentation, the presenters examine the relationship between the boarding school experience, attachment, and opioid use disorder, highlighting the impact of historical trauma on substance use. They also review attachment styles, introduces the Healing from Boarding School Toolkit, and discusses the role of screening for boarding school history during intake assessments to inform culturally responsive care.
Presented by:
Colbie Caughlan, MPH
Project Director | Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board
Dolores Jimerson, LCSW
Behavioral Health Education Director | Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board

Funding for this initiative was made possible (in part) by grant no. 1H79TI088037 from SAMHSA. The views expressed in written conference materials or publications and by speakers and moderators do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services; nor does mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.
Dolores Ann Jimerson
Faculty
Dolores Jimerson, MSW, LCSW, ADS is originally from the east coast, where she grew up as an urban Indian. She was reared traditionally Seneca (bear clan) in Little Italy, which also resonated with her Italian/Irish mother. She now lives on the Olympic Peninsula, where it seems “it’s always Twilight.” Dolores is excited to lead NPAIHB in the development of culturally resonant behavioral health programming to support tribes in meeting their needs. Her lived experience pairs nicely with her three plus decade career of working in behavioral health in Pennsylvania, Wyoming, Oregon, and Washington. Some of her past tribal employment was with the Eastern Shoshone, Northern Arapaho, CTUIR, and Quileute. Her previous national level work included serving as Director of Community Development for NICWA. She is a caregiver and community organizer at heart, who is passionate about creating services that resonate with re-membering us into our greatness. She is clinically licensed in both Wyoming and Oregon, along with being a certified Acudetox Specialist (ear acupuncture) and Registered Trainer. You can find her gardening, beach combing, traveling, writing, or serving as comedic muse when she is not working.
Read the full bio …Date added: August 7, 2026



















































































