June 12, 2024: IHS Updates for Tribes and Tribal and Urban Indian Organizations
This bi-weekly update provides up to date information on recent events, meetings, conferences, upcoming deadlines, and recognition of the work being done across the Indian Health Service, other federal agencies, and Indian Country. For more information or questions, email IHSPublicAffairsStaff@ihs.gov.
Director Tso Visits Transgender Resource Center of New Mexico as IHS Kicks Off Pride Month
“Indian Country has a rich history of recognizing the unique value of each and every member of our communities. For time immemorial, our traditions have taught us to lift up the contributions that our Two Spirit and LGBTQI+ relatives bring to our nations every day. As director of the Indian Health Service, it is an honor to uphold these ways. IHS remains ever-committed to doing all we can to ensure Two Spirit and LGBTQI+ Indigenous people have access to the highest quality health care in safe, welcoming, and comfortable environments. Across the agency, we endeavor to build the policies, protocols, opportunities, and partnerships necessary to ensure that Two Spirit and LGBTQI+ Indigenous people are respected, protected, and provided with the care they deserve.
To kick off Pride Month, this week I had the opportunity to visit the Transgender Resource Center of New Mexico, who welcomed us to deepen our understanding of our trans relatives’ health care needs, concerns, and solutions. I deeply appreciate the trust extended by staff and volunteers in sharing their stories and thanked them for all they do in the community.” -- IHS Director Roselyn Tso
Supreme Court Releases Decision Related to Contract Support Costs
On June 5, the Supreme Court decided the IHS is required to pay contract support costs on portions of tribal health programs funded with third-party revenue, such as Medicare and Medicaid expenditures. The IHS has been preparing for this possibility in order to ensure the transition to new CSC-related systems will cause minimal disruption to those we serve. In recognition of the potential budgetary impact of this decision, we urge Congress to act on the fiscal year 2025 President’s Budget proposal to shift the IHS budget from discretionary to mandatory funding starting in FY 2026 to protect the overall appropriation for the agency and create more adequate and stable funding into the future.
The IHS remains firmly committed to executing our obligations under federal law and supporting tribal self-determination and sovereignty. We look forward to working in partnership with tribal nations in the future. I encourage you to visit the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services website in the coming days for more information on the decision. See Secretary Becerra’s statement in response to the decision. Read my full statement here.
Southcentral Foundation Looks to Expand Behavioral Health Care Services with Ceremonial Groundbreaking
On May 29, IHS Director Roselyn Tso took part in a ceremonial groundbreaking for the Southcentral Foundation’s launch of a $100 million construction project to expand behavioral health care services in Alaska. The Alaska Native-owned health care provider is building a 100,000-square-foot, three-story facility to expand crisis care in the state to better support people experiencing behavioral health and substance disorder-related emergencies. This groundbreaking was not just an event, but also a powerful testament to what can be achieved together through unity, compassion, and a shared commitment to improving the lives of those we serve. Read more about the impact the new facility will have.
Following the groundbreaking event, Ms. Tso met with Anchorage/Dillingham leadership and visited the Iliamna Lake Villages, Southcentral Foundation, Tour Pedro Bay Clinic and the Nilavena Regional Health Center, Eklutna Community Clinic, Benta Nuutah Valley Native Primary Care Center, C’eyiits’ Hwnax Life House, Bristol Bay Health Corporation, and toured the Manokotak and New Stuyahok sites.
Native American Health Center Hosts Groundbreaking for New Facility and Expanded Services
On May 21, Native American Health Center hosted a groundbreaking ceremony in Oakland, California. The event featured a special performance by local Pomo Tribal dancers and motivational words from the mayor of Oakland, their local city councilmember, and leaders from other partner organizations. More than 150 people attended the event. This project, in partnership with Satellite Affordable Housing Associates, will significantly enhance the capacity of NAHC to serve the community and will feature 20 new dental operatories, a large cultural community center, and 76 units of affordable housing. Slated for completion in winter 2025, this state-of-the-art 14,000 square-foot community and clinical facility will extend services to 10,000 new members, create 52 new long-term jobs, offer extensive dental care services, and serve as a cultural cornerstone for over 3,000 community members annually.
EHR Implementation Planning: May Tribal Consultation and Urban Confer Recap and the Getting Ready to Get Ready Guide
The IHS Health IT Modernization Program hosted a Tribal Consultation and Urban Confer on May 9, focused on Deployment and Cohort Planning. The introduction of the Getting Ready to Get Ready Guide during the event highlighted the Division of Health Information Technology Modernization and Operations leadership team’s commitment to help sites as they prepare to engage in the Modernization Program. Check out this month’s IHS blog post for a recap of the May TC/UC and how sites can prepare to engage in the Program.
IHS Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act Training for Federal Chief Executive Officers
On June 4, nearly 80 participants attended the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (ISDEEA) training at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The first-of-its-kind training was tailored for CEOs as part of the IHS 2024 Work Plan to improve ISDEAA operations. The focus of the training was ISDEAA authorities and processes for transferring federal programs, services, functions, and activities to tribal control. More than three dozen IHS federal CEOs in attendance took part in presentations by the Office of Human Resources on staffing transitions and the Office of Resource Access and Partnerships on transferring a Purchase/Referred Care program and working with the Business Office. There were finance discussions on identifying tribal shares and the Office of General Counsel discussing transitions from a legal perspective.
With CEOs being at the forefront of interacting with tribes at the local level, building ISDEAA awareness is critical to strengthening program management and operations. CEOs oversee the successful administration of IHS service units and manage increasingly complex and integrated health care, financial, professional, and administrative organizations. They work to uphold the special government-to-government relationship between the federal government and tribes to promote the health care needs of the populations served. CEOs are also tasked with maintaining accreditation and certification standards to ensure the highest level of quality care and safety for American Indian and Alaska Native patients.
DSTAC Holds Quarterly Meeting in Albuquerque
On June 5 – 6, the Direct Service Tribes Advisory Committee held their third quarter meeting at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where I provided updates on some of the work being done across the agency. The DSTAC was established to provide leadership, advocacy, and policy guidance to the IHS on matters related to direct service tribes. For the first time, the DSTAC engaged with area directors and chief executive officers who provide direct services. Additional agenda topics included updates from the HHS Office of Intergovernmental Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, and the Gallup Service Unit’s collaboration with the McKinley County Alcohol Taskforce. The DSTAC will reconvene at the 2024 IHS Partnership Conference and Direct Service Tribes National Meeting on August 13 – 15 in Phoenix, Arizona.
National Tribal Advisory Committee on Behavioral Health Meeting and Nomination Request
On May 16, the Division of Behavioral Health held a virtual meeting with the IHS National Tribal Advisory Committee on Behavioral Health. The committee acts as an advisory body to DBH and the IHS director to provide guidance and recommendations on programmatic issues affecting the delivery of behavioral health care for American Indians and Alaska Natives. The DBH is currently seeking nominations for select primary and alternate positions on the committee. The NTAC and DBH hope to fill vacancies by September 2024. The vacancies open for nominations are:
- Albuquerque Area: Primary and Alternate
- Billings Area: Primary and Alternate
- California Area: Primary and Alternate
- Nashville Area: Primary and Alternate
- Navajo Area: Primary
- Phoenix Area: Primary and Alternate
- Tucson Area: Primary and Alternate
Nominees must be either elected or appointed tribal officials acting in their official capacity, or be a designee authorized to act on behalf of the tribal official. If you are interested in learning more about NTAC or have any questions, please contact IHS-DBH@ihs.gov.
Return of California Healthcare Conference Attracts More than 300 Tribal and Urban Indian Organization Participants
The California Area Office and the California Rural Indian Health Board co-hosted their Annual California Healthcare Best Practices Conference on May 20 — 22 and California Diabetes Day on May 23. This was the first in-person gathering since 2019. This conference offered more than 42 presentations on a range of topics, such as health literacy, intergenerational trauma, asthma, syphilis, autism, and dementia, and included a full-day mental health first aid training. Throughout the week, members of the health care team had the opportunity to earn up to 22 hours of free continuing education. The event was attended by over 300 participants from California tribal and urban Indian health care programs and their partnering organizations.
Return of California Healthcare Conference Attracts More than 300 Tribal and Urban Indian Organization Participants
The California Area Office and the California Rural Indian Health Board co-hosted their Annual California Healthcare Best Practices Conference on May 20 — 22 and California Diabetes Day on May 23. This was the first in-person gathering since 2019. This conference offered more than 42 presentations on a range of topics, such as health literacy, intergenerational trauma, asthma, syphilis, autism, and dementia, and included a full-day mental health first aid training. Throughout the week, members of the health care team had the opportunity to earn up to 22 hours of free continuing education. The event was attended by over 300 participants from California tribal and urban Indian health care programs and their partnering organizations.
IHS Injury Prevention Program Hosts Annual Meetings in Rockville
The IHS Tribal Injury Prevention Cooperative Agreement Program hosted its annual workshop last week in Rockville, Maryland. TIPCAP coordinators and partners from 27 tribes, tribal organizations, and urban programs met to share and collaborate on their injury prevention programs and initiatives. The workshop featured panelists, a guest speaker from SAMHSA, and a poster session dedicated to demonstrating partnerships, sustainability, and best practices in addressing injuries. Thank you to Jenn Russell and her team at the Colorado School of Public Health Centers for American Indian and Alaska Native Health who were essential in delivering a successful workshop.
TIPCAP coordinators, tribal partners, UCD CAIANH team, and IHS staff
IHS Injury Prevention Specialists Meeting Convened
The busy week of injury prevention ended with an annual convening for IHS Injury Prevention specialists in Rockville, Maryland, who came from across the country to share their program updates and successes. Many IHS Areas have demonstrated program growth in various areas, including overdose prevention, suicide prevention, elder fall prevention, and motor vehicle safety. Their work in addressing the injury and violence death disparities among American Indian and Alaska Native people is remarkable.
IHS and Tribal Injury Prevention Specialists and IHS HQ Staff
Registration Open: Gender-Affirming Care Conference June 25 – 27
Health care professionals (both clinical and non-clinical), health care administrators, tribal leaders, and health care professions trainees are invited to participate in a cost-free 2.5-day Gender-Affirming Care Gathering from June 25 – 27 in Boise, Idaho. The conference is designed to empower health care professionals to provide best practice gender-affirming care, explore Indigenous approaches to gender-affirming care and effectively incorporate strategies for providing care in IHS, tribal, and urban Indian clinics — with follow up virtual ECHO clinics to continue learning, knowledge sharing and support. Free CE will be provided. There is also an option to join virtually. Learn more and register here.
2024 President’s Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition Award — Nominations Due July 1
The Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, within the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health, is accepting nominations for the 2024 President’s Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition award. These awards recognize individuals or organizations that have contributed in various ways to the advancement or promotion of physical activity, fitness, sports, or nutrition. Three award categories are open in 2024:
- Lifetime Impact Award
- Community Leadership Award
- PCSFN Hero Award
Nominations will be accepted through July 1. The President’s Council will notify all individuals who submitted a nomination of their award status by August 1. Winners will receive their awards in fall 2024. For more information, visit health.gov/pcsfn/programs-awards.
2024 Indian Health Geriatric Scholars (GeriScholars) Pilot Now Accepting Applications — Deadline July 5
The Indian Health GeriScholars Pilot Program, funded by the IHS Alzheimer’s Program, invites applications to the 2024 Indian Health GeriScholars pilot. The pilot will accept up to 15 physicians, nurse practitioners, PAs, or pharmacists sponsored by their IHS, tribal, or urban Indian health program.
The Indian Health GeriScholars pilot will provide participating clinicians with an individual intensive learning track for professional continuing education, including:
- An intensive training in geriatrics from one of the Geriatrics Board Review courses.
- A mentored geriatric improvement project at their local facility.
- A clinical practicum or mentorship in geriatric practice.
- Ongoing education, training, and peer support as an Indian Health Geriatric Scholar.
Click here to learn more and download the application. The application period closes on July 5. For more information, please email IHSElderHealth@ihs.gov.
IHS Announces Funding Opportunity to Address Dementia Care — Applications Due July 16
The IHS is excited to announce a third round of grant funding designed to help develop tribal and urban-specific models of comprehensive dementia care. This funding builds on early work and lessons learned from two years of awards offered for the first time in 2022 and again in 2023. The 2024 Notice of Funding Opportunity is designed to support expansion and increase local clinical capacity for culturally relevant dementia care and services for American Indian and Alaska Native people living with dementia, their caregivers, and their communities. Applications are due by July 16 and must be submitted through Grants.gov. Join the IHS Alzheimer’s Program team for a webinar on Wednesday, May 29, at 3:00 p.m. ET. IHS staff will provide an overview of the funding opportunity and answer questions. Click here to register or learn more. Additional dementia capacity-building webinars will be offered in June and July.
Telebehavioral Health Center of Excellence Webinar Series
The Telebehavioral Health Center of Excellence Tele-Education Program is hosting the following training for health care providers:
- Behavioral Health Integration Webinar Series: “Integrated Care and Same Day Access: Access to Behavioral Health Care” on June 27 at 12:00 p.m. ET | Register here.
IHS Blogs
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- EHR Implementation Planning: May Tribal Consultation and Urban Confer Recap and the Getting Ready to Get Ready Guide
- IHS Alzheimer's Grants: Helping Put the Puzzle Together for Tribal and Urban Indian Communities
- Serving the Navajo Nation with Passion and Dedication as a Speech Language Pathologist
- Celebrating 50 Years of Emergency Medical Services Week with Tribal EMS
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