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Resolution Health Support Worker (RHSW)

Resolution Health Support Program

The Indian Residential Schools (IRS) Resolution Health Support Program provides emotional health and wellness support to former IRS students and their families, regardless of status and place of residence, who are eligible for the Common Experience Payment (CEP) and/or resolving an IRS claim through the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) process, Independent Assessment Process (IAP) or litigation.

If you attended an Indian Residential School you may be eligible to access:

·         Professional counselling;

·         Transportation to access counselling not available in the home community;

·         Transportation to access the services of an Elder not available in the home community;

·         Emotional Support services of a community-based Resolution Health Support Worker; and

·         Cultural Support services of an Elder.

Former IRS students and their families can access these services whether you are applying for the Common Experience Payment and/or resolving your claim through Alternative Dispute Resolution, Independant Assessment Process or through the courts. These services are available before, during and after the resolution process.

APC's Role in Delivering RHSW Services in the Atlantic

APC realized early on in conducting outreach with survivors in the Atlantic that health supports were needed.   One -way this identified need was addressed was by Health Canada's implementation of the Regional Health Support Workers program.  Last year, APC has acquired funding to deliver RHSW services to the NB region.  This year, APC was successful in acquiring funding for two RHSWs.  One of the RHSWs, Connie Nevin, will continue to deliver services to former Shubenacadie Indian Residential School Students residing in New Brunswick, Gaspé Region, and the United States of America.  The second RHSW, Jean Graveline, will be working closely with all the RHSWs in the Region to provide RHSW services throughout the Atlantic region. This role is known as an Atlantic Wide RHSW.The Atlantic Wide RHSW will be called upon to work with IRS Survivors if a conflict of interest should arise, in cases of student-on-student abuse, "backfill" for existing RHSWs when on leave or unavailable; and, if requested by IRS Survivors.

Connie Nevin biography

 Connie Nevin started working in the Mental Health field in 1986, working for Child and Family Services as a counselor, and Child care worker. Along with the completion of her social work program at St. Thomas University, she has acquired training in many areas, such as: Suicide Prevention, Suicide Intervention, and Crisis Intervention, and also attended Memeramcook Institute for life skills coach training.  She has also worked as a Para Probation officer. Connie moved on to become the supervisor for the Elsipogtog Alcohol and Drug Prevention, and aftercare program, and also worked as the female counselor at the Lone Eagle Treatment Center. 

For the past eleven years Connie's focus has been on management of the White Eagle Sundance.  She has been in charge of planning, organizing, and implementing the fundraising for the Sundance, as well as funds management.  She has also been responsible for the volunteers, and their duties, along with organization of the kitchen, food, and staff. 

Connie is a strong believer of the cultural wellness of all native people. She has been married to William Nevin for twenty years and is a mother of 4 and grandmother of 3. She is looking forward to working along with the APC as the New Brunswick Regional Health Support Worker (RHSW).

You can contact Connie at on her cell phone at 506-523-3530 or by email at connienevin@live.com.  

There are also 2 other RHSW's working with IRS survivors and families that can connect you with psychological and cultural supports:

 APC's RHSW Objectives:

1.    Provide RHSW services to former IRS students and their immediate family member(s) and/or support person(s)

2.    Work in collaboration with various organizations and communities involved in work to assist the emotional well-being of Former IRS Students at the Local, Regional and Provincial level

3.    Support the emotional health and wellness of Former IRS Students and their immediate family member(s) and/or support person(s)

4.    Assess the effectiveness of the RHSW Program