Resources

Past Presentation

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
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.

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Date added: August 7, 2026