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April 17, 2023: IHS Updates for Tribes and Tribal and Urban Indian Organizations

This bi-weekly update provides up to date information on Indian Health Service and other federally-hosted meetings, conferences, deadlines and recognition from across the Indian health system. For more information or questions, email IHSPublicAffairsStaff@ihs.gov.

IHS Leadership Tour for 2023

IHS Director Roselyn Tso and senior staff recently visited the Portland Area as a part of the IHS leadership tour for 2023. While visiting the area, leadership met with several tribal councils and health care facility leadership teams to collaborate and share their commitment to ensuring all facilities are actively meeting the needs of the tribal communities they serve. Director Tso toured several health care facilities across Oregon and Washington to see the great work being done to raise the physical, mental, social, and spiritual health of American Indians and Alaska Natives to the highest level.

Visit to the community house on the Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua, and Siuslaw in Coos Bay Oregon

(Left) Visit to the Coquille Tribe Plankhouse (Right) Visit to the community house on the Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua, and Siuslaw in Coos Bay Oregon

(Left) Visit to the Klamath Tribal Health & Family Services (Right) Visit to the Native American Rehabilitation Association

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee on Tribal and Indian Affairs

On April 5, Director Roselyn Tso attend the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee on Tribal and Indian Affairs in Canyonville, Oregon, to provide an IHS update. During her remarks, Director Tso shared the IHS’ ongoing commitment to serving Native veterans and strengthening the agency-to-agency relationship with the Department of Veterans Affairs. Through strong collaboration and resource-sharing, the IHS and the VA will continue to ensure equitable access to care and services for American Indian and Alaska Native veterans throughout Indian Country.

Director Roselyn Tso and Veterans Affairs Secretary McDonough at the Department of Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee on Tribal and Indian Affairs

Tribal Delegation Meetings

The IHS frequently hosts tribal delegation meetings with tribal leaders and tribal organization representatives from across Indian Country to create a space for IHS and tribal leadership to directly discuss individual issues or concerns while renewing and strengthening partnerships. Last week, the IHS had a meeting with the Oglala Sioux Tribe in Washington, D.C.

Tribal delegation meeting with the Oglala Sioux Tribe

IHS Launches New Sanitation Facilities Construction Map Website

The IHS recently launched a new interactive website to provide information on Division of Sanitation Facilities Construction projects funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. In 2022, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law appropriated $3.5 billion to the Indian Health Service from FY 2022 through FY 2026 to build the infrastructure necessary to ensure a safe supply of drinking water, reliable sewage systems, and solid waste disposal facilities. This new website demonstrates the IHS’ commitment to transparency and reporting on progress to complete projects that support improved public health for American Indian and Alaska Native homes and communities. To learn more, read the press release.

IHS Launches New Sanitation Facilities Construction Projects Website

IHS Strategic Initiative - Asthma Control in Tribal Communities

According to data from the CDC, American Indian and Alaska Native people suffer a higher prevalence of asthma than any other specific racial or ethnic group in the U.S. IHS Chief Medical Officer Dr. Loretta Christensen has announced the Asthma Control in Tribal communities, or ACT, strategic initiative to reduce the burden of asthma-related illness and death in American Indian and Alaska Native populations. In the coming weeks and months, the IHS will be providing resources to support asthma-related care in tribal communities.

IHS Job Openings

The IHS Public Affairs office is currently hiring for two positions to help manage communications with tribes and urban Indian organizations, other government agencies, media outlets and American Indians and Alaska Natives across Indian Country. Please share these opportunities with anyone who may be interested in helping to shape communications across the IHS. Applications are due by April 26 through USAJobs:

Grand Rounds Session on Outpatient Management of Stimulant Use Disorder & Cardiac Complications

On April 18, the upcoming Indian Country ECHO Grand Rounds session will provide an overview of outpatient management of stimulant use disorder, including the prevalence and consequences of stimulant misuse and use disorders across the nation. It will also evaluate the evidence supporting pharmacotherapies for stimulant use disorder and provide patient education and harm reduction strategies to prevent long-term consequences. A brief overview of cardiac considerations will be provided, which will discuss the cardiac fallouts related to stimulant misuse, clinical pearls, and the structure and practices of the San Francisco Health Network Heart Failure Program. This one-hour session includes an opportunity to engage in a didactic presentation, gain insight into how IHS, tribal and urban facilities may effectively address stimulant use disorder, and become part of a learning community. To learn more, sign up for email reminders and details for this session. For those unable to join, a recording will be available on the event web page.

Outpatient Management of Stimulant Use Disorder & Cardiac Complications
April 18 at 3:00 p.m. ET – Join the meeting

IHS 2023 Dementia Funding Webinar

On April 21 at 3:00 p.m. ET, the IHS Elder Health team will host a webinar on current funding available from the IHS Alzheimer’s Grant Program for tribes and urban organizations. To learn more about the funding opportunities, check out last month’s blog: $1.8M in IHS Funding Provides Additional Resources to Address Alzheimer’s and Dementia. During the webinar, panelists will offer an overview of the current notice of funding opportunity, followed by a Q&A session. For more information, please contact Jolie.Crowder@ihs.gov. Register now!

Autism Awareness Month Webinar

One of the many goals of Autism Awareness Month is to recommit ourselves to providing people with autism and their families with the support and quality health care needed to thrive. On April 27, join the IHS for a webinar focused on developing providers’ skills in the early identification of autism spectrum disorder markers, understanding of ASD-specific screening tools, with an in-depth discussion on the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers and utilizing ASD screening tools in clinics.

Child and Adolescent Behavioral Health Series: The Importance of Screening for Autism Spectrum Disorder and Use of the M-CHAT
April 27 from 2:00-3:00 p.m. ET – Register now

Buy Indian Native American Small Business Industry Day

In collaboration with the HHS Office of Small Disadvantaged Business Utilization, the U.S. Department of the Interior OSDBU, and the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the IHS will co-host and participate in the inaugural Buy Indian Native American Small Business Industry Day Event on April 25. The event will bring together HHS and DOI leadership, and contracting and program officials to promote the Buy Indian Act and successfully connect Native American owned small businesses with federal contract and program staff. Earlier this year, IHS announced the IHS Buy Indian goal for FY23 is that 20 percent of all commercial contract spending will be set-aside to companies who qualify under the Buy Indian Act requirement.

The event will take place at the Universities at Shady Grove in Rockville, Maryland, from 1:00-4:00 p.m. ET. Following the main event, there will be an in-person federal agency marketplace and trade show and an HHS/DOI Buy Indian Native American Small Business Industry Day Virtual Matchmaking session.

Registration links:

Industry Day: Tuesday, April 25, 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. ET
Password: buyindian2023 (all lowercase)
Register now!
Marketplace: Tuesday, April, 25 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. ET
Register now!
Virtual Matchmaking Session: Wednesday, April 26, 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. ET
Register now!

Telebehavioral Health Center of Excellence Self-Paced Trainings

The IHS Telebehavioral Health Center of Excellence Tele-Education Program is hosting the following trainings for health care providers over the next two weeks:

Treating PTSD within the Criminal Justice System
April 25, 2023, at 12:00 p.m. ET | Register now
The Importance of Screening for Autism Spectrum Disorder and Use of the M-CHAT: Office Hours
May 4, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. ET | Register now

Save the Date

April 17: Direct Service Tribes Advisory Committee Monthly Meeting
April 18-19: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Tribal Budget Consultation
April 20-21: IHS Director's Advisory Workgroup on Tribal Consultation Meeting
April 25-26: HHS/DOI Buy Indian Small Business Industry Day
April 25-27: California Area IHS Annual Tribal Consultation
April 26-27: IHS Director’s Workgroup on Improving Purchased/Referred Care
April 27: Community Health Aide Program Tribal Advisory Group Meeting

Latest IHS Blogs

Other News

HHS Emergency Planning Toolkits for Child and Adolescent Health and Maternal-Child Health

The new U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Emergency Planning Toolkits for Child and Adolescent Health and Maternal-Child Health address health equity and emergency preparedness, response, recovery and resilience for children and youth with special health needs, as well as for maternal health. Both toolkits outline basic planning steps and key resources available for integration into emergency planning for health care and social service providers.

SAMHSA Releases New Report on LGBTQ+ Youth Mental Health

A new Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration report, titled "Moving Beyond Change Efforts: Evidence and Action to Support and Affirm LGBTQ+ Youth," provides an overview of evidence-based resources to benefit LGBTQ+ youth and their families. Parents, teachers, and mental health providers, among others, will find valuable information on effective therapeutic practices to affirm and uplift LGBTQ+ youth to protect their mental health. The report discusses the critical mental health crisis facing these youth due to harassment, rejection, and bullying on a national scale, especially transgender children. It provides resources for improving access to gender-affirming care and supportive environments to help them thrive.

Public Health Nursing Case Management: Reducing Sexually Transmitted Infections

The Division of Nursing Public Health Nursing Program has awarded seven grants and three federal program awards to mitigate the prevalence of sexually transmitted infections within Indian County through a case management model utilizing the PHN as the case manager. On April 3-4, PHN program site visits were made to the Tuba City and Chinle PHN programs to support agency-wide work to take action and address STIs, particularly with community-based coordination efforts with community health teams and public health nursing programs.

(Left to right) Joette Walters, chief executive officer, Tuba City Regional Health Care Corporation; Lt. Cmdr. Annie Edleman, public health director, Tuba City Regional Health Care Corporation; Tina Tah, public health nursing consultant, IHS HQ Division of Nursing Services; and Melissa Wyaco, Navajo Area nursing consultant.

Oklahoma City Indian Clinic Acknowledged by Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care

In March, the Oklahoma City Indian Clinic was surveyed and reaccredited as an ambulatory primary care clinic by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care. OKCIC achieved additional accreditation from AAAHC as a designated medical home and dental home. These designations demonstrate ongoing commitment to improving the patient care environment and providing safe, high-quality patient care services. Congratulations to OKCIC for meeting nationally recognized standards for the provision of safety and quality care to their urban Indian population.

Patina Wellness Center Fashion Show

The Patina Fashion Show is an event put on by the Native American Connections’ Patina Wellness Center, a residential substance use disorder treatment center for women and families in Phoenix. The women who participated worked so hard behind the scenes – sewing, mending, sizing, cutting, fittings, and much more. A special thank you to Eleanor and Jenni, Patina Wellness Center staff, for all the hard work they put into this, and to the men at Patina Mountain Preserve, a men’s SUD treatment center, for the banner they created in support of this event.

Native American Connections’ Patina Wellness Center Fashion Show volunteers and participants

Phoenix Area Hosts Saint Augustine’s University

The Phoenix Area recently hosted a senior leadership team from Saint Augustine’s University, based in Raleigh, North Carolina, for an initial meet-and-greet and tour of the Phoenix Indian Medical Center. Discussions focused on potential collaboration between IHS and the university, including student opportunities for shadowing and internships through the Pathways Program, educating and informing students about careers with the IHS, serving in the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, and much more. SAU also shared one of their initiatives, ‘Beyond the Norm’, which is a partnership between the university and Native American leaders to promote access and success for Native American students, and includes a tuition waiver for Native students.

Phoenix Area HIS representatives with the Saint Augustine’s University senior leadership team

Wear Blue Day – Sexual Assault Awareness and National Child Abuse Prevention Month

The IHS recognizes April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month and National Child Abuse Prevention Month, a month to focus on prevention and identifying the ongoing issues of safety, health and well-being for patients, families and communities nationwide. To honor these observances, many IHS facilities participated by wearing blue to show ongoing support and commitment to preventing violence. Thank you for doing your part to protect patients and families. April 26 is Denim Day – please wear jeans for a purpose. You can find helpful resources to raise awareness in the latest IHS blogs.

Chinle Service Unit, IHS Navajo Area

Lawton Indian Hospital, IHS Oklahoma City Area, and Gallup Indian Medical Center Staff, IHS Navajo Area

Crow Service Unit, IHS Billings Area