Founded in 1979, Laguna Rainbow Corporation (LRC) has reached over 40 years of service to Native elders. Established by the Pueblo of Laguna Council, the vision has been to ensure that the needs of elders are met to preserve their roles as wise keepers of our cultural values and traditions. Our mission is “Enriching our elders’ lives and health by providing quality care and services.” LRC operates as a non-profit delivering skilled nursing and long-term care through the Laguna Rainbow Nursing Center as well as community services through our K’awaika Senior Center.
The two centers work together to provide services to the community and residents. Our values and beliefs are centered around HEART.
• Honor and respect the dignity and worth of all people
• Exceed expectations of those we serve
• Achieve accountability and innovation throughout the organization
• Responsibility to manage all resources while maintaining Tribal sovereignty
• Treasure cultural values and traditions
Laguna Rainbow Nursing Center, also known as “Rainbow”, is one of about 20 Tribally owned nursing homes across the nation. Because we are located on Laguna lands within the pueblo, we are able to keep our elders close to their traditional practices, languages, families, and family homes instead of facilities off the reservation that are not culturally responsive to the Native American elder population. Main health care services we offer include long-term care, short-term care, respite care, skilled nursing, and rehabilitation services.
On July 30, 2012, after a twenty-year effort on the part of the Laguna Elder Association members to build a dedicated space the K’awaika Senior Center opened the doors at its present-day location. Prior to this, the senior center was located within the Laguna Rainbow Nursing Home. With this dedicated space the elders in the community have been able to come to a centralized meeting spot to participate in services, socialize, and gather with each to eat.
Enriching our elders lives and health by providing quality care and services.
To be a leader in elder care services while honoring unique cultural and tradition values.
Laguna Rainbow Corporation (LRC) has reached over 40 years of service to Native elders. Learn about our story here.
The Laguna Rainbow Corporation (LRC) was established by Pueblo of Laguna Council (POL) to act as an entity of the Pueblo in a manner that honors and protects the Laguna way of life, its traditions, and values by delivering culturally responsive long-term care services, residential and community-based, to Laguna Pueblo and other Native elders.
In 1990, LCR expanded from 25 beds to 50 beds at its nursing facility. From 1994-1996, LRC renovated the existing nursing home facility to achieve needed expansion. This caused an update to LRC’s POL Charter in 1994, which also stipulated that the purpose for which the Corporation was formed was not for pecuniary gain or profit. In 1996, the Board of Directors partnered with Piñon Management, a Colorado-based long-term care company, to take over management of LRC after a period of financial struggle resulting in part from declined census and failing Medicaid reimbursement rates. At the same time, LRC closed its Home Health Agency with the 40 independent elderly apartments reverting to the POL Housing Authority for management.
On July 30, 2012, after a twenty-year effort on the part of the Laguna Elder Association members to build a dedicated space the K’awaika Senior Center opened the doors at its present-day location. Prior to this, the senior center was located within the Laguna Rainbow Nursing Home. With this dedicated space the elders in the community have been able to come to a centralized meeting spot to participate in services, socialize, and gather with each to eat. Laguna Elder Association is structured to inform supportive services at the center. Outside management switches from Pinon to Heritage Management Services.
Heritage Management Services/OnPointe moves from overall management of LRC to supporting financial services solely. LRC seeks new structure with a Chief of Operations, Executive Director, Nursing Home Administrator, and Senior Center Manager as the Senior Management Team to replace outside management oversight. LRC strategic plan updated with focus on financial stewardship, workforce development, and operational efficiency. Health Quality Surcharge Act (signed by Govenor Lujan Grisham in 2019) increases funding for the nursing home based on quality measures.
LRC's nursing home closes to visitors temporarily, and the K'awaika Senior Center shuts down temporarily due to Pueblo of Laguna and state mandates given the Covid-19 threat. The K'awaika Senior Center reopens to meal service only with drive thru and meal delivery options available. The meal service during this time expands and exceeds pre-Covid service numbers. LRC Board of Directors contract with Native American Health Management to seek an Enhanced Medicaid Rate (EMR) afforded to Tribal Nursing Homes under a Tribes 638 contract. Executive Director hired August 2021 to provide support for the organization and both centers. LRC's 638 and EMR journey starts to pick up traction with Tribal Leadership support at the end of 2021. Visitor's are welcomed back into the Nursing Home at the end of 2021.
The K'awaika Senior Center reopens to in person activities and meals. They also celebrate their 10-year anniversary with tribal leadership, state representatives, board member, elders, and community members in attendance. It is concluded with a throw. The nursing home begins Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Speech Therapy services as well as providing short term services through Medicare billing. During 2022, the board along with LRC management continue to work with tribal leadership and other key tribal support towards 638 status and EMR. They are successful in obtaining a Council Resolution to start the process in December 2022. In February 2023, the Tribe and IHS hold their negotiations to include LRC into the Tribes 638 which is successful, paving the road for better funding with EMR.
Contact us at (505)552-9072, for additional information on the services provided by the K'awaika Senior Center or contact us at (505)552-6034, for additional information on the services we can provide within the Laguna Rainbow Elderly Care Center.
