By Ruby Moon, community health manager
The Siletz Community Health Clinic is pleased to announce its new Health and Wellness Center, opening Feb. 17, 2026.
The basement renovation was determined essential with the rapid growth of the clinic and the services it provides to the community. The basement had historically been used as storage for programs within the clinic but was identified as a potential space that could be developed to streamline and expand services.
In January 2024, grant funding was identified that allowed the tribe to move forward with a plan to renovate the basement space and turn it into a working service area. The full project took 13 months from formal planning to move-in ready. The Health and Wellness Center features 23 offices, two consult rooms, a community room and kitchen, designed to serve as a welcoming, multipurpose space. The Health and Wellness Center will now host a wide range of programs focused on improving health outcomes, strengthening prevention efforts and supporting overall well-being.
Central to the namesake, the newly renovated space will be home to the clinic’s community health advocates. This department offers education classes, personal medical health support and health promotion campaigns. Advocates will now have more space for distribution of car seats, helmets and emergency response.
The basement will also host STI outreach and engagement services. Providing education, testing, referrals and culturally responsive support to reduce stigma and promote sexual health.
Our team also includes the tobacco prevention program. Prevention aims to reduce tobacco usage in adults and minors through education, cessation support and community engagement.
In addition, the space will support non-emergency medical transportation services, helping Tribal Members overcome transportation barriers that often prevent them from accessing routine medical care. By improving access to appointments and essential services, the program plays a vital role in promoting continuity of care.
Alongside these great resources will be the CARE Program. CARE serves Siletz Tribal Members anywhere and other federally recognized Tribal Members who are survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, trafficking, stalking and any type of interpersonal violence. The new build-out is a dream of ours to have a secure, safe and healing environment for our clients and staff.
Chronic disease prevention and management are key focuses of the new space. Diabetes education and prevention programs will provide resources, workshops and support for individuals and families affected by diabetes. Patients will also benefit from services offered by a nutritionist, who will guide healthy eating habits tailored to cultural preferences and individual needs.
Honoring culture and tradition is central to the remodel’s vision. Healthy Traditions programming will integrate traditional knowledge with modern health practices, recognizing the importance culture has on wellness.
Lastly, complementing this approach will be the Food Sovereignty Program. Tel-tvm’ food program will emphasize community-led access to nutritious, culturally important and relevant foods. Empowering individuals to make healthy choices while strengthening food systems.
This remodel is more than a physical upgrade, it’s a long-term good faith investment in our community’s health. By bringing these programs together in one space, we’re creating easier access and strengthening connections with a more holistic approach to wellness and room to grow and expand to meet the needs of our community.
This new exciting beginnings we will see in the completion of the remodeled basement stand as a symbol of prevention, empowerment and community care, offering patients the tools, resources and support needed to lead healthier lives.
To show support for the new Health and Wellness Center, please follow our Siletz Health Clinic on Facebook. There you will find resources, event information, contact information and more. To contact community health you can call 541-444-1030, to be directed to the department you need. And always remember, our staff is a safe place for everyone we serve.
