U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Newsroom

May 15, 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.

Public Health Emergency Ended on May 11

The COVID-19 Public Health Emergency ended on May 11. Visit the IHS Medicaid Unwinding webpage for more information that can be shared with patients to make sure they avoid interruptions in Medicaid and CHIP coverage.

FY24 Budget Hearings for IHS and Indian Country

IHS Director Roselyn Tso recently the opportunity to testify before Congress on the President’s Fiscal Year 2024 Budget Request for IHS and Indian Country. The FY24 Budget makes bold strides toward ensuring stable and predictable funding to improve the overall health status of tribal communities. The budget is a historic step, and the start of an ongoing conversation with tribes to ensure the IHS system is meeting the health care needs in Indian Country. The IHS looks forward to working in consultation with tribes, urban Indian organizations, and Congress to refine this proposal through the legislative process to strengthen nation-to-nation relationships. To learn more, watch Wednesday’s hearing and Thursday’s hearing online.

National Indian Health Board 2023 National Tribal Health Conference

On May 4, Director Roselyn Tso attended the National Indian Health Board Tribal Health Conference in Anchorage, Alaska, to listen and share with tribal leadership the agency’s priorities to best serve American Indians and Alaska Natives through the Indian health system. During her remarks, Director Tso acknowledged that tribal leaders and tribal members are in the best position to understand their communities' health care needs and priorities, and that collective presence and discussion is critical to continue forming strong partnerships throughout Indian Country. She also re-established the two priorities that guide the work of the IHS – providing safe, quality health care and protecting relationships with tribes, urban Indian organizations and other key partners.

IHS Funding Opportunities Support Tribal Self-Governance Planning and Negotiation Activities

Funding opportunities for the FY23 Tribal Self-Governance Planning and Negotiation Cooperative Agreements administered by the Office of Tribal Self-Governance are now available and published in the Federal Register. The Planning Cooperative Agreement application deadline is June 20, and the Negotiation Cooperative Agreement application deadline is June 30. These annual IHS cooperative agreement awards support tribes and tribal organizations with the planning and preparation necessary to assume responsibility for providing health care to tribal members through the Tribal Self-Governance Program. To learn more, read the IHS blog.

National Nurses Week

Last week, the IHS celebrated the many contributions of dedicated nurses. The week-long celebration of National Nurses Week allowed the agency to raise awareness of the value of nursing and educate the public on the critical role nurses play in meeting the health care needs of patients throughout the Indian health system. This year's theme, "You Make a Difference," spotlights nurses' positive impacts while serving in various roles, often in rural, hard-to-fill and challenging environments. View the highlighted nurses on the IHS Facebook page.

Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

The IHS joins the nation in observing Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Throughout May, the IHS pays tribute to the remarkable achievements made by AANHPIs in advancing the future of our country, and we reflect on the leadership, resilience and courage shown by members of the AANHPI community.

This year’s theme, “Advancing Leaders through Opportunity,” chosen by the Federal Asian Pacific American Council, recognizes that intentional efforts to build leaders helps advance innovation and drives progress. Investing in professional development and providing opportunities for employees to refine their leadership skills and abilities is an important business strategy for the success of any organization. At the IHS, improving leadership capacity is among the agency’s top priorities. In support of this effort, the IHS launched a new executive development program in April 2023. To learn more, read President Biden’s Proclamation on Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.

National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month

In recognition of National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month, on May 1, Dr. Matthew Clark, chief medical officer of the Alaska Area and chair of the IHS National Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee, participated as a panelist on the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute’s Learn More, Breath Better webinar. Dr. Clark provided a detailed overview of the recently launched IHS national strategic initiative, Asthma Control in Tribal communities (ACT), which encourages action to raise asthma awareness, promote early recognition and diagnosis of asthma, support asthma control and improve asthma-related health outcomes in Indian Country.

On May 2, IHS Chief Medical Officer Dr. Loretta Christensen announced the roll-out of the IHS ACT Ambassadors Pilot Program. The IHS encourages participation in this program by clinical, public health, and environmental health professionals and teams as we seek to mitigate the impacts of asthma in tribal communities. Application for designation as an ACT ambassador is simple and can be accessed on the NPTC webpage.

Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week

In partnership with the Administration for Children and Families and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, last week, the IHS hosted a two-part webinar series focusing on children's behavioral health in tribal communities. During Thursday’s webinar to recognize Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week, Chief of Staff Capt. Carmen Clelland provided remarks alongside a number of federal leaders, community-based programs and national organizations to share the IHS’ unwavering commitment to investing in children’s behavioral health.

IHS Awards $449,360 in Grants to Support Urban Indian Organizations

The Office of Urban Indian Health Programs has awarded grants totaling $449,360 to Native American Lifelines in Baltimore and South Dakota Urban Indian Health in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, through the 4-in-1 grant program. These grants will make health care services more accessible for American Indians and Alaska Natives residing in urban areas and support operations at urban health care facilities. Funding provided through the 4-in-1 grant program will be used to support four health program areas: health promotion and disease prevention services; immunization services; alcohol and substance abuse-related services; and mental health services. Read more in yesterday’s press release.

IHS Moves Closer to Build Phase of Health IT Modernization Program

To help the IHS work with partners to deliver high-quality care consistently across Indian Country through a new enterprise electronic health record system, the agency selected Native American-owned small business Totem Consulting to provide organizational change management expertise. The firm will support the multi-year Health IT Modernization Program to replace the Resource and Patient Management System with a new EHR with its culturally sensitive approach to user adoption. Their work includes a change strategy; build and execution of a change plan; engagement with partners and stakeholders; creation and distribution of communications; metrics for organizational readiness; support of user training; and a record of lessons learned activities. Read more in the latest IHS blog.

IHS Supports Tribal Communities in Addressing the Fentanyl Crisis

The IHS joined many in recognizing May 9 as National Fentanyl Awareness Day, spreading the word to educate tribal communities about the growing fentanyl crisis and how we can aim to reverse its tragic outcomes. Fentanyl remains a crisis in Indian Country and exposure can lead to overdoses and deaths. To learn more, read the latest IHS blog.

IHS Funding Opportunities Support Tribal Self-Governance Planning and Negotiation Activities

Telebehavioral Health Center of Excellence Self-Paced Training

The IHS Telebehavioral Health Center of Excellence Tele-Education Program is hosting the following training for health care providers:

Trauma & Stress Disorders Webinar Series: PTSD & Telehealth Considerations
May 23 at 12:00 p.m. ET | Register now

Save the Date

May 15-19: ATHS Final Negotiations
May 16-17: National Council of Urban Indian Health 2023 Annual Conference
May 18: Direct Service Tribes Advisory Committee Quarterly Meeting
May 18: Monthly Tribal and Urban Indian Organizations Call
May 25: CHAP Tribal Advisory Group Meeting

Latest IHS Blogs

Other News

Geriatric Emergency Department Accreditation

The IHS Geriatric Emergency Department Accreditation workgroup, led by the Division of Nursing Services, has announced that nine emergency departments that participated in the IHS Geriatric ED Accreditation Initiative have received Bronze Level – 3 Geriatric ED Accreditation. The Northern Navajo Medical Center, San Carlos Apache Healthcare Corporation, Crow Northern Cheyenne Hospital, Claremore Indian Hospital, Gallup Indian Medical Center, Parker Indian Health Center, Rosebud Hospital, Pine Ridge Hospital, and Sage Memorial Hospital will be joining a group of more than 400 GEDA-designated facilities nationwide. The IHS GEDA Initiative aims to improve care for the elderly population in IHS and tribal EDs. Each team collaborated to develop a geriatric-focused ED initiative, such as medication management, fall prevention and trauma considerations for elders ages 65 and older. Congratulations to the ED teams for setting a standard of excellence toward providing quality emergency care to elder patients in the Indian health system.

New Assistant Surgeons Generals Announcement

Please join us in congratulating two new assistant surgeons general from IHS, O-8 grade Rear Adm. Travis Watts, Oklahoma City Area director, and O-7 grade Rear Adm. Kelly Battese, Haskell Service Unit chief executive officer. Selection to the rank of rear admiral in the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps is an honor that comes with great responsibility. USPHS Commissioned flag officers also carry the title of assistant surgeon general. The assistant secretary for health, the surgeon general and the USPHS Commissioned Corps rely on flag officers to support special initiatives and exhibit the highest caliber of public health leadership.

Those chosen as flag officers provide senior executive-level decisions, advice and leadership within their departments and agencies. The officers exemplify the values of the USPHS Commissioned Corps and diligently work toward the IHS mission to protect, promote and advance the health and safety of our nation.

Rear Adm. Travis Watts, Oklahoma City Area Director, and Rear Adm. Kelly Battese, Haskell Service Unit Chief Executive Officer

Heroes in Health Award Gala Honoree – Lt. Shawnell Damon

Lt. Shawnell Damon from the Navajo Area Office was recently honored at the “Heroes in Health Award Gala,” hosted during the National Indian Health Board’s 2023 National Tribal Health Conference and Public Health Summit in Anchorage, Alaska. Lt. Damon was awarded an Area/Regional Impact Award for her exceptional work during the COVID-19 pandemic leading the public health response for the unified Navajo command.

Lt. Shawnell Damon, Navajo Area Office

Oklahoma City Indian Clinic Hosts Grand Opening for Resource and Nutrition Center

On April 28, the Oklahoma City Indian Clinic held a grand opening for the Oklahoma City Indian Clinic Bank of America Native Resource and Nutrition Center. Patient services provided by the center include free food, clothing, shoes, toiletries and blankets. Patients and Native community members are welcome to visit and speak with social services specialists to learn more about the available resources, including Native American Veterans Homeless Programs, housing, transportation and much more.

Oklahoma City Indian Clinic’s grand opening for the Oklahoma City Indian Clinic Bank of America Native Resource and Nutrition Center