Programs and Initiatives

The IHS Division of Behavioral Health is divided into four branches:

The goal of the Mental Health Branch is to do the following:

Manage, develop, and coordinate comprehensive clinical, preventive, and community-based programs and policies related to mental health;
Provide, develops, and implements IHS guidelines, standards, policies, and procedures for professional and program standards related to mental health.
Monitor, measure, and evaluate the quality of behavioral health programs;
Develop and disseminate IHS mental health program information and materials to I/T/Us. Coordinates and collaborates with other DBH professionals on mental health related topics to develop a comprehensive approach to behavioral health;
Coordinate behavioral health professional staff recruitment, resources, technical assistance and training needs; and
To serve as a subject matter expert on mental health technical assistance, resources and training for the Behavioral Health Aide program.

The goal of the Alcohol and Substance Abuse Branch is to do the following:

Manage, develop, and coordinate comprehensive clinical, preventive, and community-based programs and policies for alcohol and substance abuse;
Provide, develop, and implement IHS guidelines, standards, policies, and procedures for professional and program standards related to alcohol and substance abuse services;
Monitor, measure, and evaluate the quality of alcohol and substance abuse programs; Develop and disseminate IHS alcohol and substance abuse program information and materials to I/T/U Organizations;
Collaborate with other DBH professionals on alcohol and substance abuse related topics to develop a comprehensive approach to behavioral health; and
To serve as a subject matter expert on alcohol and substance abuse issues for the Behavioral Health Aide (BHA) program.

The goal of the Behavioral Health Initiatives Branch is to do the following:

Develop and monitor behavioral health grants and cooperative agreements to I/T/Us;
Develop and monitor behavioral health contracts;
Collaborate with IHS facilities on implementing special projects related to behavioral health;
Develop and disseminate IHS behavioral health program information and materials to I/T/Us;
Collaborate with IHS staff to improve data collection from behavioral health initiatives and programs to evaluate progress and outcomes.
Coordinate and collaborate with other DBH professionals on specific projects and programs managed by DBH Branches to ensure a comprehensive approach to behavioral health; and
Provide technical assistance to grantees.

The goal of the TBHCE is to do the following:

Manage and operate the national TBHCE Telebehavioral Health program to provide direct telebehavioral health services for patients served at I/T/Us;
Provide technical assistance to I/T/Us behavioral health programs in the process of developing, or currently operating, telehealth programs;
Manage the TBHCE Tele-Education program to provide I/T/U healthcare providers with culturally sensitive education and training;
Oversee the Indian Children’s Program;
Collaborate with other DBH Branches as the subject matter experts on telebehavioral health and tele-education to ensure a comprehensive approach to behavioral health;
Coordinate with IHS Behavioral Health Consultants, on telebehavioral health and tele-education; and
Serve as a subject matter expert on telehealth and tele-education for the BHA program and assists with the integration of BHA staff into community programs.