On Thursday, September 2, 2021, the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE), the federal agency that oversees BIE funded schools that educate American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) children in nearly two dozen states, issued a mandate, requiring COVID-19 vaccines for employees. The mandate covers more than 2,800 faculty and staff at 53 schools and dormitories operated directly by the U.S. Bureau of Education in states including Arizona, New Mexico, and the Dakotas. More than 180 schools operate under the Bureau’s umbrella, but about two-thirds are run by Tribes under contract with the federal government, or through grants.

Interior Secretary Deb Haaland said Bureau employees must be vaccinated no later than October 15, 2021, and must provide proof of vaccination. Those who don’t comply could be fired or lose their contract, the Interior Department said. Schools will consider individual requests for exemptions but could require those who are not vaccinated to follow safety measures established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This could include regular COVID-19 testing and showing proof that they have tested negative before returning to in-person schools or dormitories. Learn more.

Vaccination against COVID-19 is the strongest tool we have to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. Vaccines play a crucial role in protecting AI/AN children and Tribal communities. To learn more about what the National Indian Health Board (NIHB) is doing to encourage COVID-19 vaccination, visit our Act of Love website. 

On August 30th, the National Indian Health Board (NIHB) sent a letter to the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) on the CDC/ATSDR Tribal Consultation Policy. The letter details the need for CDC/ATSDR to update its consultation policy to include increased accountability, the acknowledgement of honoring the Tribe's right to request consultation at any time, and the establishment of continuous opportunities for meaningful engagement in policies that affect American Indian and Alaska Native people. In the letter, NIHB provided several suggestions to improve the CDC/ATSDR Tribal Consultation Policy. As CDC/ATSDR reviews the comments on its Tribal Consultation Policy, NIHB will keep Tribes informed regarding the implementation of these and other recommendations brought forth by Tribes and Tribal Organizations. Read the letter NIHB sent here. 

Tribal Health Update: CDC Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Advisory: Rapid Increase in Ivermectin Prescriptions and Reports of Severe Illness Associated with Use of Products Containing Ivermectin to Prevent or Treat COVID-19

What is ivermectin? It is a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved prescription medication used to treat certain infections caused by internal and external parasites. Ivermectin is NOT authorized or approved by the FDA for prevention or treatment of COVID-19. The National Institutes of Health’s (NIH) COVID-19 Treatment Guidelines Panel has also determined that there are currently insufficient data to recommend ivermectin for treatment of COVID-19. FDA has cautioned about the potential risks of use for prevention or treatment of COVID-19, Poison control centers are receiving increasing reports of adverse effects associated with ivermectin misuse and overdose. Read more.

National Indian Health Board (NIHB) is seeking information from Tribal environmental health professionals on how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted environmental health work in Tribal communities, especially with regards to food safety.

If you are a Tribal environmental health or food safety professional, please fill out this short survey to help guide NIHB’s work in this area. Should you be interested, NIHB staff can arrange for a follow up conversation over the phone about best practices, policies, and procedures being implemented for your ongoing COVID-19 response implementation efforts and planning activities. Please email Audrianna Marzette at [email protected] or Brett Weber at [email protected] for more information.

Are you a Native woman who has embarked on a journey to quit smoking in the past year? National Indian Health Board (NIHB) would like to hear from you! If you are interested in a brief (approx. 20 minute) phone call so we can hear about your journey to stop using commercial tobacco products during the COVID-19 pandemic and what advice you’d offer to other Native women experiencing tobacco addiction, please email Brett Weber at [email protected].

Tribal healthcare workers can earn continuing education (CE) credits by taking courses available from Project Firstline (PFL). Two new courses have been added to the many infection control courses offered through PFL. Tribal healthcare workers can learn about Ventilation, Source Control, and Hand Hygiene and How COVID-19 Spreads and earn CE’s (CME, CNE, or CPE) credits. These courses and many others can be accessed at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Training and Continuing Education Online (TCEO) website HERE. Additionally, Tribal healthcare workers can earn CEs by watching Inside Infection Control, a series of short videos focused on infection control. To earn CEs for watching the videos, Tribal healthcare workers must launch the videos and print a certificate of completion from the CDC TRAIN learning network HERE.

The Indian Health Service (IHS) National Tribal Advisory Committee on Behavioral Health (NTAC) membership roster currently has ten vacancies. There are four Area Primary vacant positions and six Area Alternate positions. The following areas have vacant positions:

For more information or questions regarding these vacancies, please contact Michele Muir-Howard at [email protected].

Applications are due by September 17, 2021

National Indian Health Board (NIHB) is requesting applications for a new opportunity for supporting maternal American Indian and Alaska Native maternal health through Tribal-led Maternal Mortality Review Committees (MMRCs). NIHB anticipates funding for up to 12 proposals from Tribes, Tribal consortia, and Tribal organizations for up to $7,500 each. Through this opportunity, grantees will participate in a self-assessment over an 8-month period to explore key components of Tribal-led MMRCs and assess their readiness to establish and sustain a Tribal-led MMRC. Tribal-led MMRCs that respect American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) culture may result in identification of meaningful and effective maternal mortality prevention strategies for AI/AN communities. The intended outcomes for the Tribal-led MMRC Self-Assessment project include: Understanding the unique needs of Tribes for maintaining a successful MMRC, increasing knowledge capacity in AI/AN maternal mortality prevention efforts, and increasing partnerships among Tribes and Tribal organizations. The application deadline is Friday, September 17, 2021 at 11:59pm Eastern Time. To download the application packet and read more about the project, click here. 

Due: Friday, September 24^th 2021, at 11:59 PM ET

The National Indian Health Board (NIHB) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are pleased to announce the fourth cycle of funding for Strong Systems, Stronger Communities (SSSC) for Tribes. Through this opportunity, grantees will participate in self-assessment of capacity and departmental needs or perform work by choosing projects related to performance improvement or systems improvement. NIHB anticipates funding up to 8 proposals under 2 categories:

The application deadline is Friday, September 24, 2021, at 11:59 PM Eastern Time. Please read the full funding description and download the application packages here.

NIH Maternal Health Funding for Prevention of Perinatal Depression: Improving Intervention Delivery for At-Risk Individuals

Due date: October 9, 2021

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) recently announced two funding opportunities for applications to refine and examine preliminary effectiveness of perinatal depression preventive interventions in settings where women receive perinatal care. Tribal entities are encouraged to apply. Read more on RFA-MH-21-240 or RFA-MH-21-241.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) released a “Community Development Block Grant Program for Indian Tribes and Alaska Native Villages.” This grant program will provide funds for housing rehabilitation, economic development projects, healthcare facilities, correctional facilities, and many other infrastructure related projects within Tribal communities. For the application instructions to apply for this funding click here. To apply for this funding click here. Any questions or comments regarding this funding can be sent to [email protected]. 

On August 9, the National Institutes of Health’s (NIH) National Institute of Minority Health and Health Disparities released a funding opportunity for a selected resource center to provide both support and technical assistance for Tribal Epidemiology centers. This funding is being awarded to aid in research and data science capacity relating to American Indian and Alaska Native populations. If awarded this funding, the center would begin work in July of 2022. If you or an organization within your Tribal community is interested in receiving these funds, please submit a letter of intent by October 30, 2021. To apply online click here.

Applications close November, 15, 2021 at 7:59pm ET

The National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) will soon be offering a multi-year funding opportunity for retail food regulatory agencies in their efforts to reduce the occurrence of foodborne illness and increase conformance with the Retail Program Standards. The Grant Program has three tracks depending on the level of capacity of the applicant. Read more.

The National Indian Health Board (NIHB) is seeking qualified candidates for the following open positions in the Public Health Policy and Programs Department based in Washington, DC.

Job descriptions are available here.

One of the goals of The National Indian Health Board’s (NIHB) Project Firstline: Tribal Infection Prevention and Control Capacity Building Program is to “develop and/or adapt existing materials to inform Tribal health professionals about important components of infection prevention and control (IPC)”. To support this endeavor, NIHB is in the process of compiling current materials and plans which Tribal Health Organizations and Systems currently use or have used. NIHB is seeking assistance with gathering information about existing infection control learning materials and/or infection control response plans. Recognizing that many Tribes and Tribal organizations have set an example in their response through great planning, NIHB requests that anyone willing to share their materials to please contact Carmen Sanders at [email protected].

On the National Indian Health Board’s (NIHB) Brain Health for Tribal Nations webpage, you can now submit a request for technical assistance for implementing the Roadmap to Indian Country strategies, hosting a Brain Health Action Institute, locating resources, starting conversations on brain health in your community, and more. Read more here.

The National Indian Health Board (NIHB) created a response plan template as a resource for Tribes, Pueblos, and Nations to use in developing COVID-19 or other outbreak response plans or in cross-walking with existing plans. In recognition of Tribal sovereignty and self-governance, the response template acknowledges that Tribes, Pueblos, and Nations may differ in respect to their approaches to COVID-19-related mitigation and response. Therefore, this document serves as a starting or reference point for Tribal nations to review and determine what content may be relevant to their unique circumstances. Read more here.

Doctors, nurses, researchers and community health care workers provide facts and dispel misinformation about the COVID-19 vaccines. The latest installment about the COVID vaccines and children is created in partnership between KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation) the Black Coalition Against COVID, UnidosUS, and the American Academy of Pediatrics. The new FAQ videos featuring pediatricians is hosted by comedian and TV host, W. Kamau Bell asking questions that many parents and caregivers have about the vaccine. Tribes may benefit from these short 1-2 minute videos, featuring prominent pediatricians, addressing a variety of topics related to COVID-19 vaccines. Watch the recording and full series here. 

The National Indian Health Board is committed to serving Tribal Nations in response to the coronavirus outbreak. We welcome your requests and feedback. Contact Courtney Wheeler at [email protected] or 202-507-4081.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has a great tool to help you make decisions on when to seek testing and medical care. Tribal members who are 13 and older, and parents and caregivers of children ages 2 to 12 can use the tool to help decide when to seek testing or medical care if they suspect they or someone they know has contracted COVID-19 or has come into close contact with someone who has COVID-19. Tribal members can use the on-line tool to find recommended actions and resources based on their response to questions in the Self-checker tool. 

Indian Country Dementia ECHO for Health Care Workers and Caregivers 

Date: 2^nd and 4^th Thursday of every month at 2-3pm ET

The Dementia Extended Care Health Option (ECHO) Program: For Health Care Workers and Caregivers begins on September 9^th (clinical program) and September 23^rd (caregiver support program). The program is designed to support I/T/U clinicians and caregivers to strengthen the knowledge and care around dementia for Tribal patients. Learn more.

Today! Thursday, September 9, 2021, at 3:00PM ET

The National Indian Health Board is hosting the final webinar in a 3-part series on Intimate Partner Violence (IPV). This webinar will be focused on Safety Planning/Immediate Intervention after Abuse Occurs. Guest speaker, Lisa Morad-McCoy, Senior Program Therapist, will provide information on the benefits of providing skilled clinical care and addressing emotional and/or physical safety of clients who disclose abuse. The webinar is recommended for Tribal behavioral health professionals, public health professionals, education staff and anyone who works with AI/AN communities around IPV. Register here. For more information, contact Chyna Locklear at [email protected].

Today! Thursday, September 9, 2021, at 4:00 PM EST

Join Native American Journalists Association (NAJA) for a three part series focused on health equity in Indian Country. The first webinar will be a virtual roundtable discussion on the successes and challenges of vaccination programs. Presenters will share research on overcoming vaccine hesitancy in Tribal communities and the roots of lingering hesitancy. Read more. 

Today! Thursday, September 9, 2021 at 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM EST

Join the National Council of Urban Indian Health (NCUIH) for their facilitated discussion on infection prevention and control (IPC) best practices for operating Urban Indian Organizations (UIOs) during the COVID-19 pandemic and emerging variants. Read more. 

Today! Thursday, September 9, 2021, at 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM EST

Join the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for a Clinician Outreach and Communication Activity (COCA) call focused on the 2021-2022 flu vaccine season and guidance on the coadministration of flu and COVID-19 vaccines. Read more. 

September 10-11, 2021 (virtual)

The 9th International Meeting on Indigenous Child Health (IMICH) – the only conference dedicated to the health and well-being of First Nations, Inuit, Métis, American Indian, Alaska Native and other Indigenous children and youth in North America and around the world - is taking place on September 10 and 11, 2021. The National Indian Health Board is pleased to serve on the planning committee for the IMICH as the work of the IMICH aligns with several NIHB public health and youth-focused strategic priorities. Those interested may register here.

The Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB) recently announced plans for the Pathways Recognition Program that will provide a guided progression through public health accreditation for interested public health departments. The Pathways Program includes two proposed models that will support performance improvement and infrastructure efforts, serve as milestones, and build accreditation readiness. The Tribal Public Health Accreditation Board (TPHAAB), coordinated by the National Indian Health Board (NIHB), has advocated for a stepped process to reduce barriers for Tribes to achieve public health accreditation. It is anticipated that the Pathways program will fulfill that need. The Tribal perspective is essential in ensuring this new program addresses gaps and challenges that impact the progression of Tribal health departments during their journey to public health accreditation.

NIHB and PHAB partnered to create opportunities for Tribes to offer their feedback. This is the last opportunity for live feedback prior to PHAB moving forward with the program. We ask that you please review the program overview (11 minute video) and models (14 minute video) prior to the call. Due to the nature of time, we will not be reviewing the models during the meeting. Contact Jessica Dean, [email protected] for questions. Registration can be completed here. If you are not able to attend the meeting and choose to do so, you may submit feedback via survey monkey here through September 15, 2021.

September 14-16, at 1:30pm-5:15pm ET

In an effort to find lasting solutions to the public safety challenges Tribal communities encounter and to protect them from violence, abuse, and exploitation, a national symposium on missing or murdered indigenous persons (MMIP) related issues for federal, state, Tribal and local stakeholders is being held September 14-16, 2021. This MMIP training is via webinar and will address important topics like data collection, victim advocacy, creating a community strategy for addressing missing persons, and working collaboratively across jurisdictions. The webinar is free. Learn more here.

National Indian Health Board Hosts Do Your Research: Empowering Native Youth to Get Vaccinated Webinar

Wednesday, September 15, 2021 at 3:30pm ET

The National Indian Health Board (NIHB), is hosting the second webinar in the #ACTOFLOVE COVID-19 Vaccine Webinar Series co-hosted with the Association of American Indian Physicians (AAIP). Native youth across the country are getting a COVID vaccine for various reasons -- going back to school, playing sports, and protecting their family and communities. Native youth and parents, young people, and Tribal community members are invited to join the webinar to hear from an American Indian physician about the science and process behind the vaccines. Vaccinated Native youth also share their own stories about doing the research and deciding to get the shot. The webinar is open to any interested person, but is likely most relevant to Youth, parents and caregivers, Tribal leaders, Tribal public health professionals, Tribal health departments, Tribal healthcare personnel, and those who want to learn more about the vaccinating AI/AN youth. Learn more about the webinar here. Register for the webinar here.

This webinar will discuss the latest developments in dental therapy policy, including emerging trends and lessons learned from existing states, and about the latest state to authorize dental therapists – Oregon. With many more states contemplating adding dental therapists to their dental teams, this timely information can help ensure advocates and policymakers develop policies that advance health equity and expand access to high-quality dental care while investing in underserved communities. Click here to register!

September 21–23, 2021

Join the Health Resources and Services Administration’s (HRSA) Office of Regional Operations (ORO) in Seattle in collaboration with Health and Human Services (HHS) operating divisions and Tribal and Urban Indian Organizations in Region 10 for the 2021 American Indian/ Alaska Native (AI/AN) multidisciplinary health summit. The summit will focus on promising practices and innovative approaches to improve AI/AN health and address disparities in the midst of COVID-19. Read more. 

The National Indian Health Board (NIHB) is excited to invite you to its annual National Tribal Health Conference (NTHC)! The theme of this year's conference is, "The Future of Native Health in Our Changing World!"

Join NIHB for 5-days of action-packed plenary sessions, informative workshops from experts across Indian Country, and consultation and listening sessions with federal agencies. Make sure to stick around for the last day of the conference for sessions dedicated to technology in American Indian and Alaska Native health systems!

The registration rate for attendees is $420. The youth (ages 18-24) registration rate is $125. Register now!