Community Wellness

Carlos is an enrolled tribal member with the Sherwood Valley Band of Pomo Indians and is also of Mexican descent. Originally from Northern California, he received his Chemical Dependency Studies and Human Services at the American River College.

Carlos served as a substance abuse treatment provider for 11 years for Indian Health Services in Sacramento, CA. providing services to adult men and women on parole, juvenile offenders and other referrals from the Department of Corrections. Carlos is the former Executive Director at White Bison, Inc. located in Colorado Springs, CO.  He continues to make a difference in Native/Indigenous Tribal communities serving as leadership to both companies and is passionate about developing new curriculum to better meet the needs of tribal and urban Native American communities. Carlos has also been an active committee member for the Juvenile Justice & Delinquency State Committee for California, appointed by Governor Jerry Brown.

Kiana is the Communications Coordinator for the Community Wellness Department and has been working at American Indian Health & Services since 2018. In her role, she leads collaborative efforts related to ongoing and emergent departmental and organizational programs, projects, and events. Kiana is the lead behind the Native Sun Newsletter, AIH&S Facebook Page, and other Community Wellness promotional materials.

Amy has been working at American Indian Health & Services since 2023. Her primary responsibilities include managing the AIH&S Native Connection grant, which includes providing resources for Suicide and Substance Abuse Prevention to support the cultural programs. She also helps the CW team plan, coordinate, and facilitate events and manages AIH&S’ Youth Activity Circle.

Yajaira Rangel started at AIH&S in 2023 and proudly transitions into her new role as the Grant Project Coordinator. 

Previously, Yajaira volunteered at the Santa Barbara Response Network, a non-profit organization that mobilizes caring volunteers with training in how to provide compassionate social support in the aftermath of tragic events. With training in psychological first aid, suicide prevention, stress management and response and recovery skills, Yajaira coordinated events focusing on resiliency.

Yajaira continued working within the community that earned her honorable Certificates of Recognition by Congressman Salud Carbajal and former Senator, Hannah-Beth Jackson.

In her role, Yajaira’s focal point will be on project management within the Behavioral Health Department, overseeing goals and objectives, coordinating events, and leading cultural competency trainings and advocacy efforts.