Tana Howtopat

"As a co-founder of Medicine Wheel Recovery Services, my vision was to create an environment where people felt safe to be vulnerable, to share, and to heal.   MWRS has evolved into a "family" and a "home" of recovery.  MWRS has her own spirit, which has grown from the love of the treatment team and the people that we serve.  I am blessed to be a servant to my community and to MWRS."

​

Education

Arizona State University

Current ▪ Nonprofit Leadership and Management

Humboldt State University

June 2017 ▪ Advanced Standing Masters of Social Work

New York Council on Problem Gambling

July 2015 ▪ 60-hour Core Curriculum Training

Portland State University

June 2014 ▪ Bachelor of Science in Social Work

Portland Community College

June 2011 ▪ Associates of Applied Science in Alcohol and Drug Counseling

Professional Experience

Co-Executive Director (2015-Current)

Medicine Wheel Recovery Services • 58147 Columbia River Highway St Helens, OR 97051                                        

• Establishing the organization and completing licensure requirements

• Establishing compliance with Medicaid and various private insurances

• Program Development

• Managing and supervising all staff; Staff training

• Creating and maintaining community relationships and contracts

• Co-Occurring, Substance Abuse, Mental Health, Gambling Service Delivery

• Creating Policies and Procedures

• Creating and implementing productivity strategies

• Managing complaints and grievances

• Payroll

• Managing records requests

• Grant Writing, Grant Management

 

Quality Management Specialist (2014-2015)

NARA NW • 1310 SW 17th Portland, OR 97201

• Population management/building databases

• Creating/standardizing forms

• Policies and Procedures

• Grants/Evaluations

• Internal investigations

 

Outpatient Program Manager (2013-2014)

NARA NW Outpatient • 1631 SW Columbia Portland, OR 97201

• Program Development

• Creating and maintaining community partnerships

• Managing a program with approximately 40 staff

• Interviewing and hiring

• Clinical supervision for CADC staff

​

Addictions Counselor (2010-2013)

NARA NW Outpatient • 1631 SW Columbia Portland, OR 97201

• Case Management/Documentation

• Multidimensional assessments/ISSP treatment planning

• Resource referral and case management

• Group facilitation

• Client advocacy/community partner collaboration

• Individual therapy

• Discharges

• Curriculum Development

Volunteer Experience

Internship (2016-2017)                                                                                                                                                                  MWRS Outpatient Mental Health ▪ 58147 Columbia River Highway, Suite C, St. Helens, OR 97051

• Assessments/ISSP treatment planning

• Individual therapy (focus on historical trauma/grief and loss)

• Developing staff training regarding the role of historical trauma in mental health

• Creating hybrid, co-occurring  curriculum for sessions that incorporated DBT skills and Relapse Prevention skills

• Developed a way to use Talking Circle as a mental health process group and skills training group

​

Internship (2009 & 2013) 

NARA NW Outpatient Mental Health ▪ 1631 SW Columbia Portland, OR 97201

• Assessments/ISSP treatment planning

• Individual therapy (focus on historical trauma/grief and loss)

• Group facilitation

• Discharges

• Census data entry

 

Crisis Line Operator (2010-2011)

Oregon Partnership ▪ 5100 SW Macadam Avenue, Suite 400 Portland, OR 97239

• 56 hours of specialized training

• Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) Certificate

• 225-hour commitment to service

• Immediate assistance, referral services, and follow up

• Specialized support for military service persons and their families

• Assist callers in crisis, assess suicidal ideation, and provide unbiased support and validation of feelings.

• Access alcohol, drug and mental health referral information from data base while engaging in conversation with caller.

• Use listening skills and reflect feelings to invite self-disclosure.

• Research internet for information to supplement referral information.

• Document nature of call and follow up activities

• Participate in monthly trainings to increase knowledge of special populations and alcohol, drug and mental health concerns.

 

Veteran's Advocate (2013)

Columbia County Veteran’s Stand Down

• Assisting Veterans to access services during the Columbia County Veterans Stand Down

• Assisting with setup and break down of the service facility

• Assisted with fundraisers leading up to the Stand Down

 

Special Projects

• PPE for Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs (2020)

• Collaborative Member of the Columbia County JRI Team (2020)

• Member of the Rules Advisory Committee for OAR 309-019-0195 DUII Provider Rules (2017)

• Member of the Columbia County Substance Abuse Steering Committee (2017)

• The MWRS Participant Workbook (2017)

• Cultural consultant for research collaboration between OHSU and Columbia University (using technology to deliver Relapse Prevention Modules to Outpatient service recipients (2013-2014)

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​