May 16, 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.
The Indian Health Service celebrated Public Service Recognition Week from May 5 – 11. Throughout the week, the agency extended its heartfelt gratitude to each of you for your dedication and service to Indian Country and the tribal and urban Indian communities whom we serve. The week provided an opportunity to celebrate not only our collective achievements across IHS and HHS, but also the individual efforts you make every day. Your work touches the lives of countless individuals across the nation, providing essential health care services to our patients. IHS Director Roselyn Tso sincerely thanks health care workers across the system for your unwavering commitment to enhance the health and wellbeing of all American Indians and Alaska Natives.
Testimonial on the President’s FY 2025 Budget Request
On May 10, Director Tso provided testimony before the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs during an oversight hearing titled “Examining the President’s FY 2025 Budget Request for the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Indian Health Service, and Office of Insular Affairs”. Ms. Tso values and appreciated the opportunity to meet with our elected officials to highlight the important work the IHS is doing every day across Indian Country. Click here to see a recording of her testimony.
IHS and USPHS Unite to Increase Safe Drinking Water and Adequate Sanitation to Tribal Communities
On May 9, IHS and the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps launched a seven-year strategic plan to improve safe drinking water access and sanitation in American Indian and Alaska Native communities. This partnership builds on opportunities created through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which provides $3.5 billion to the IHS to develop critical infrastructure, including a safe supply of drinking water, reliable sewage systems, and solid waste disposal facilities. The efforts focus on increasing staffing support for Sanitation Facilities Construction Program work at IHS through targeted recruitment and retention of Public Health Service officers, with expertise in engineering, environmental health, and health services. Recruitment and retention of qualified professionals remains a top priority for the IHS, and we are excited to partner with USPHS to address critical sanitation needs within tribal communities.
Director Addresses Tribal Public Health Conference, Visits Cherokee Nation for Care Week
On April 25, Director Tso was honored to join the Southern Plains Tribal Health Board at the Tribal Public Health Conference in Catoosa, Oklahoma. This pivotal event, themed "Connecting Communities to Create Change," emphasized the essential role of community in driving transformation within tribal public health sectors. It showcased the profound interconnectedness of tribal communities and explored ways we can all contribute to impactful change. The IHS recognizes that tribal leaders and members are most knowledgeable about their respective health care needs and values these conferences as vital opportunities to engage and learn from these communities.
To commemorate the one-year anniversary of the President signing Executive Order 14095 – Increasing Access to High-Quality Care and Supporting Caregivers, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services held Care Week from April 18 – 25 to spotlight the significant progress made by the Biden-Harris Administration to advance investments in high-quality, affordable childcare, preschool education, and long-term care services. The Administration’s efforts include enhanced affordability in care for American families, bolstered support for family caregivers, improved compensation and working conditions for care workers, and expanded care options.
As part of Care Week, Ms. Tso visited the Cherokee Nation and saw several facilities that highlight the tribe's commitment to nurturing early childhood development as part of its expansive health and social care policies. The newly constructed Kenwood Head Start is a beautiful building with innovative features that are designed to enhance care and learning. Coupled with the Cherokee Nation’s Childhood Development Center, these facilities demonstrate the importance of investing in the foundational years of children's lives as a pathway to fostering long-term health and well-being within communities. Director Tso enjoyed seeing young future leaders hard at work and being a part of their classroom experience.
Visit to the Navajo Nation with Assistant Secretary for Health Adm. Levine
Recently, Director Tso joined Assistant Secretary for Health Adm. Rachel Levine for a visit to the Navajo Nation, where they spent time with Navajo Nation Department of Health Director Kim Russell, Navajo Area leadership, and tribal health care leadership. Ms. Tso and Adm. Levine visited several federal and tribal health care facilities. On Tuesday, Levine stopped by the Navajo Area Office to meet with leadership and learn about several public health and sanitation facilities construction initiatives occurring across the area. On Wednesday, the Director joined Russell for a visit to the Crownpoint Health Care Facility, where CEO Cmdr. Daryl Dineyazhe-Toya provided updates regarding the Crownpoint South Housing Repair by Replacement Project, building of the new Pueblo Pintado Health Center, and the delivery of the new wellness center. The Crownpoint Service Unit and Navajo Nation Department of Health committed to meeting periodically to continue to strengthen our partnership. We appreciate the continued support of HHS leaders and tribal partners in our efforts.
IHS Attends White House Water Summit, Announces BIL Funding and BOR MOU
In a significant stride towards ensuring essential water and sanitation infrastructure throughout Indian Country, the IHS announced $700 million in funding allocation from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and a newly signed memorandum of understanding with the Bureau of Reclamation at the first-ever White House Clean Water Summit on April 23. Building upon the momentum set by the BIL, which provides $3.5 billion to the IHS between FY 2022 and 2026, this funding supports efforts to develop critical infrastructure, including robust drinking water sources, reliable sewage systems, and effective solid waste disposal facilities. Through a whole-of-government approach, the memorandum of understanding between IHS and BOR will allow the agencies to better collaborate to complete studies, planning, design, construction drawings, and technical specifications that can be used to construct domestic water infrastructure projects. Read more in Tuesday’s press release.
IHS Deputy Director Benjamin Smith speaks at the White House Clean Water Summit on April 23
IHS Recognizes National Infant Immunization Week
During National Infant Immunization Week from April 22 – 29, the IHS acknowledged the invaluable contributions of our health care providers who have passionately worked to protect babies from vaccine-preventable diseases. This year, we embraced the theme "You have the power to protect. Your recommendation matters." It is recognition of the trust parents and other caregivers have in you and the importance of your voice in advising patients. Your strong recommendation for vaccines helps protect babies against potentially serious diseases like flu, pertussis, and hepatitis B. Trust in vaccines is built through countless conversations between parents, doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and community members. This is also the perfect time to recognize the IHS E3 Vaccine Strategy, which continues to prioritize vaccinations across the full spectrum of age, clinical and public health settings.
National Infant Immunization Week provides an opportunity to recognize the health impact that results from your time talking with patients and their families. Vaccinations are a shared responsibility between families and health care professionals who work together to help protect the entire community. Acting Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr. Matthew Clark was recently a guest on Native America Calling to discuss the importance for everyone to stay on track with their appointments and routine vaccinations to provide protection against potentially life-threatening diseases. Thank you for all that you do every day to help protect some of our most vulnerable community members.
Thanking Nursing Staff Across the IHS During Nurses Week
Last week was Nurses Week, which honored the incredible nurses who embody the spirit of compassion and care in every health care setting. To extend the recognition and celebration of all nurses, May is also recognized as National Nurses Month! Thank you to the nurses who wake up every day to provide safe, quality care to our American Indian and Alaska Native communities and who have been inspired to share their nursing knowledge and expertise with fellow nurses and colleagues to improve patient care in innovative ways. We thank you for the exceptional care you provide to patients, families, and communities within Indian Country!
HHS Releases 2024 National Strategy for Suicide Prevention
The Department of Health and Human Services has released its 2024 National Strategy for Suicide Prevention. The 2024 National Strategy is a bold new 10-year whole-of-society approach that provides concrete recommendations for addressing gaps in the suicide prevention field. It promotes a coordinated and comprehensive approach to suicide prevention in communities across the country and at the national, state, tribal, local, and territorial levels. Click here to learn how you can achieve meaningful, equitable, and measurable advancement in suicide prevention.
Maternal Child Health Funds Programs to Improve Maternity Care Coordination in the Community
The IHS Maternal Child Health Program is pleased to announce the selection of 10 proposals to improve maternal safety and access to care during pregnancy and postpartum. The program awarded sites across six areas with $1 million over the next five years, which will reach more than 12,000 pregnant and postpartum patients and their families. Congratulations to the following teams!
- Billings Area Office
- Chinle Comprehensive Care Facility – Chinle, Arizona
- Colorado River Service Unit – Peach Springs and Supai, Arizona
- Crownpoint Service Unit – Crownpoint, New Mexico
- Gallup Indian Medical Center – Gallup, New Mexico
- Great Plains Area Office
- Lawton Indian Hospital – Lawton, Oklahoma
- Northern Navajo Medical Center – Shiprock, New Mexico
- Red Lake Hospital – Red Lake, Minnesota
- Whiteriver Service Unit – Whiteriver, Arizona
IHS National E3 Vaccine Strategy Launches Pilot Community Development Project
In November 2022, IHS announced the IHS National E3 Vaccine Strategy to ensure that we offer every patient at every encounter every recommended vaccine, when appropriate. Vaccination is our agency’s clinical and public health prevention priority, as we work to mitigate the risks of vaccine-preventable illness across the age spectrum in Indian Country. While our efforts are still in the early stages, there is reason for hope. Working in collaboration with our federal, tribal, and urban Indian program partners, our efforts to promote vaccine awareness, access, and acceptance as part of the E3 Initiative are beginning to show success. Local sites and teams across Indian Country have developed innovative solutions for implementing E3. I encourage you to read updates on our progress in the latest IHS blog from Chief Medical Officer Dr. Loretta Christensen.
One-Year Anniversary of the IHS ACT Initiative Launch
In late April we marked the one-year anniversary of the launch of the IHS Strategic Initiative – Asthma Control in Tribal communities, or ACT. As a clinical and public health priority in our vulnerable service population, IHS advocates a comprehensive strategy to reduce asthma-related morbidity and mortality among American Indian and Alaska Native people. As one of our IHS National Strategic Clinical Initiatives, in collaboration with the IHS National Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee, we have developed an ACT Resource Toolbox, which includes public health, provider, and patient/community resources intended to facilitate improved asthma-related awareness, screening, treatment, and outcomes in tribal communities. We are also pleased to report that this initiative was recently included as a component of the 2024-2028 Priority Activities of the President's Task Force on Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks for Children. More information is available in the April 22 IHS-All email from Chief Medical Officer Dr. Loretta Christensen. Working together with our federal, tribal, and urban Indian program partners, we can continue to improve asthma-related outcomes for American Indians and Alaska Natives.
Ysleta Del Sur Pueblo Pharmacy Earns April 2024 Spotlight Recognition
The IHS National Pharmacy Council is proud to announce its April 2024 Spotlight — the Ysleta Del Sur Pueblo Pharmacy from the Albuquerque Area. Opened in June 2023, it is the first tribally operated pharmacy serving the Indigenous Tigua community residing in El Paso and surrounding communities. Since opening, the pharmacy has extended services to YDSP employees and their households. Pharmacy staff have adapted to the community's needs by addressing different issues, with one of the biggest being accessibility for elders. YDSP pharmacy addressed this issue by implementing an in-home delivery program utilizing their own medical transportation program to avoid additional costs. This service has delivered more than 1,000 prescriptions, improving adherence and patient outcomes.
Rick Smith Injury Prevention Award 2023 Winner Selected
Congratulations to the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate Tribal Opioid Response Team at the Asniyapi Clinic for receiving the 2023 Rick Smith Injury Prevention Award. The TOR team members include Jocelyn Deutsch Reints, certified nurse practitioner, Medication for Opioid Use Disorder provider; Aaron Erdrich, registered nurse; Kimberly Keeble, care connector; Joshua Max, project manager/data specialist; and Sara DeCoteau, project director. This award from the IHS Division of Environmental Health Services Injury Prevention Program is given to recognize the performance of special efforts and contributions in the field of injury prevention that have resulted in a significant impact and led to improved public health for American Indians and Alaska Natives. The TOR team was recognized for their work in addressing the overdose crisis in tribal communities by increasing access to FDA-approved medications for the treatment of opioid use disorder, as well as supporting the continuum of prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery support services for OUD.
DEHS recognizes the following nominees for their outstanding work in injury and violence prevention: Joseph Anderson, Bakersfield American Indian Health Project; Cmdr. David Bales, area injury prevention specialist, Oklahoma City Area IHS; Christy Hacker, Great Plains Injury Prevention Program; and Lisa Herritz, Ho-Chunk Nation Injury Prevention Program.
IHS Recognizes Alcohol Awareness Month
In April the IHS recognized Alcohol Awareness Month, a nationwide campaign intended to raise awareness about the health and social problems that excessive alcohol consumption can cause for individuals, their families, and their communities. Check out some of the helpful resources on alcohol use and misuse prevention and treatment and recovery support services that you and your community can use to support those who may be struggling.
IHS Celebrates Mental Health Awareness Month
Mental Health Awareness Month is celebrated each year in May. From May 12 – 18, we focused on mental health among pregnant and postpartum people, often known as maternal mental health. Pregnancy and childbirth are a cherished time in many Indigenous cultures, but they can also cause overwhelming emotions such as fear, depression, and anxiety. These feelings affect new parents of every culture, age, gender, race, and income level. For many people, these feelings go away on their own over time. But for some, these emotions are more serious and require assistance. Help is available and you are not alone. Asking for help can keep you and your baby as healthy as possible. The National Maternal Mental Health Hotline is staffed 24/7 and can provide immediate and confidential help by calling 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262). You can also find maternal mental health care here.
Celebrating National Women’s Health Week: May 12 – 18
National Women’s Health Week is also celebrated each year, starting on Mother’s Day, to encourage women to prioritize their health. This year’s theme is “Empowering Women, Cultivating Health: Celebrating Voices, Wellness, and Resilience.” The awareness week served as a reminder for women to take charge of their health journeys and also illuminated health issues unique to women. The American Indian Cancer Foundation website offers wellness through the “Women Screenings by Decade” infographics for women, covering prevention of breast, cervical, lung, and colorectal cancer, and infection with human papillomavirus and Hepatitis B. Help promote women’s wellness by sharing these culturally sensitive flyers that recommend screenings and vaccinations for Native women at various ages. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services also provides a Women's Health Checklist to help women ensure they are receiving all recommended preventive health services. Please bookmark these resources for yourself, your patients, or for your friends and families for National Women’s Health Week!
Office of Urban Indian Health Programs Participates in NCUIH Conference
Debi Nalwood of the Office of Urban Indian Health Programs presented at the National Council of Urban Indian Health Conference held in Washington, D.C. from April 29 – May 2. Her topic of the “Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care Contract for the Urban Indian Organizations,” explained how urban Indian organizations can become accredited for ambulatory health care through the AAAHC. OUIHP Acting Director Rick Mueller also provided a scope of objectives and strategies that the office is working on to meet the needs of UIOs. The conference is held annually and presents a wealth of knowledge on different UIO topics. This year, it focused on sustaining traditions of culture, identity, and health for urban Indians. Thank you to NCUIH for the partnership and fun-filled event to meet the needs of our urban relatives.
Urban Indian Organizations Receive Strategic National Stockpile Information at Annual Conference
During the National Council of Urban Indian Health conference, members from the Strategic National Stockpile and IHS presented on the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response approved strategy to improve tribal and urban Indian organization access to the SNS and other federal public health emergency response resources during emergencies. The presentation, “Fulfilling the Promise: Enhancing Tribal and Urban Indian Organizations’ Access to the SNS,” summarized the process undertaken by the federal interagency workgroup in developing the strategy and the pathways available to tribes and UIOs to access the SNS. It discussed the engagement efforts underway to inform tribes, their state and federal partners, and other stakeholders of pathways in order to determine the guidance and technical assistance needed to improve their readiness in responding to future public health emergencies. The strategy can be found here.
Office of Urban Indian Health Programs Acting Director Rick Mueller (second from left) and SNS staff members
Division of Oral Health Hosts Management Course
On April 15 – 18, the IHS Division of Oral Health hosted a fourth dental management course in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Taught by Drs. Tim Ricks and Damon Pope from DOH and retired IHS dentist Dr. Steve Tetrev, the Concepts of Dental Clinic Management I Course included topics on transitioning from clinician to manager, dealing with patient complaints, improving clinical efficiency and effectiveness, maximizing dental staff, budget management, standards of conduct, progressive discipline, and setting performance expectations, and more. Dental directors and deputy directors from 14 IHS, tribal, and urban dental programs participated in the training. Since 2016, 180 dental directors from the 414 IHS, tribal, and urban dental programs have completed management trainings in 15 Concepts of Dental Clinic Management courses, with 5,194 continuing dental education credits awarded.
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