Bethel Community Services Foundation hires new Executive Director

Bethel Community Services Foundation (BCS Foundation) has hired Michelle DeWitt to be its new Executive Director.

“We were delighted to meet Ms. DeWitt and to be able to come to an agreement with her,” said Frank Neitz, President of the Board of Directors. “We were prepared to have a long search for the right person, but were able to find the best fit with Ms. DeWitt here in Bethel.”

Ms. DeWitt came to Alaska as a Jesuit Volunteer sixteen years ago. She has worked for Tundra Women’s Coalition (TWC), serving thirteen years as Executive Director. She is widely respected statewide for her work in addressing domestic violence/sexual assault. Under her guidance, TWC raised funding for and built a shelter and outreach facility, and developed transitional housing for battered women and their children

“I care deeply about Bethel and the region, and have been privileged to work at TWC with its incredible staff, board, services and program participants for many wonderful years,” said Michelle DeWitt. “Bethel is fortunate to boast a well-established community foundation. BCS Foundation is uniquely situated to make positive impacts in our region. I look forward to working with the people of the YK Delta to develop local, long-term funds and partnerships for the issues that matter here.

Ms. DeWitt will continue her work at Tundra Women’s Coalition until October, as TWC conducts its executive search.

BCS Foundation is the community foundation serving Bethel and the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta. It was originally created to support Bethel Community Services. In 2004, Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation took on the services provided by Bethel Community Services in an effort to save state funds. The Foundation remained, and the board changed its purpose to be a community foundation: providing a vehicle for donors to make a difference in the region, and addressing regional needs.

BCS Foundation has a portfolio of cash and land assets that includes 14 properties in Bethel, valued at about $3.7 million. The Foundation holds funds to support donor intent, fields of interest, and community organizations, such as YK Delta Lifesavers Fund, Betty Guy Memorial Fund, John F. Malone Fund and the AREBT Fund. BCS Foundation makes grants from its General Fund, donor-advised funds, and organization funds within the region. It is particularly known for leveraging funds to bring in other funders’ support, including the Kellogg Foundation, to address critical regional issues like Dental Health Aide Therapist education and the Sobering Center.

From Website Philanthropynw.org – Fighting Tooth and Nail
Friday, November 12th, 2010

By Carol Lewis
CEO
Philanthropy Northwest

I think we all need to celebrate when philanthropy “gets it right.” So, join me in congratulating the Rasmuson Foundation and their partners for having the the courage (and tenacity) to stick with an innovative dental aide program.

“Mushing for Brushing” awareness event in Bethel, Alaska

Last month, a study published by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation confirmed what many already believed – high quality, cost-effective dental care can be delivered  to people living in remote rural communities. Specifically, the Kellogg study found that dental health aide therapists practicing in Alaska’s native communities provided safe, competent and appropriate dental care to their patients.

Perhaps this doesn’t seem remarkable to the casual reader. But consider that just a few years ago, a severe shortage of dentists in rural Alaska equated with tooth decay for Alaska Natives that ran at two and half times the national average.

A dental aide therapy student practices on a model in Anchorage under the supervision of Dr. Todd Smith, a national IHS Periodontal Consultant

When philanthropic leaders supported the creation of a new category of service providers to deploy into these communities, organized dentistry stood in firm opposition. The Alaska Dental Society, in conjunction with the American Dental Association, lobbied in Congress to block the program, suggesting that patient safety and care would be compromised. (Up until 2008, students interested in becoming dental health aide therapists had to fly to New Zealand for training because it was not offered through any American dental programs.) When Congress refused to block the program, the opponents went to court. Again, they were unsuccessful.

Rasmuson Foundation President Diane Kaplan, reflects on her experience this way: “We’ve learned that foundations must prepare for controversy and opposition in tackling entrenched problems such as poor oral health care in rural locations. However, despite everything you do to prepare, don’t be surprised if the opposition is stronger than you anticipate. Solutions are never as easy as they might appear.” The Rasmuson Foundation’s perseverance and commitment paid off not only for the people of Alaska, but for people in low-income rural communities around the country.

This is where a few words on “commitment to evaluation” becomes important. The two-year independent study funded by the W.K. Kellogg, Rasmuson and Bethel Community Services Foundations was expensive and time-consuming. But now, here it is for all of us to consider. The lessons of the program, run by the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, will be shared with others. As recently as last month, national funders toured Alaska communities, meeting with ANTHC service providers.

Fighting tooth and nail for change – and succeeding. Something to celebrate, for sure.