Tribal Public Health Broadcast
Weekly News, Funding, Resources, and Upcoming Events in Indian Country

March 26, 2020
COVID-19 Updates

COVID-19, formerly known as 2019 Novel Coronavirus or 2019-nCoV, is a virus causing an outbreak of respiratory illness first detected in Wuhan, China in December 2019. Because the virus is newly identified, there are many unknowns and experts are unsure how it may impact health worldwide. This is a rapidly-evolving situation. However, the outbreak has been declared a public health emergency internationally and nationally. On Wednesday, March 11, The World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic.  Also on Wednesday, President Trump announced travel restrictions from Europe to the U.S. as well as other changes to mitigate the effects of the virus.   Read more here.
As of March 25, 2020*
  • 54,453 reported cases of the virus in the United States; 
  • 737 people have died from the infection in the United States.

COVID-19 News:
  • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recently distributed a "Dear Tribal Leader" letter that details a non-competitive funding opportunity for Tribes in response to COVID-19. Read more here.
  • U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announces upcoming action to provide funding to Tribes for COVID-19 response. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and agency in HHS will provide $80 million in funding to Tribes, Tribal organizations, and Urban Indian Organizations for resources in support of our nation’s response to COVID-19. Read more here.
  • Lummi Nation Takes Steps to Fight COVID-19. Read more here.
  • Navajo Nation now reporting 49 positive cases of COVID-19 and dwindling PPE supplies. Vice President Lizer urges people to "stay home, stay safe, save lives!" Read more here.
  • Update for Rural Partners and Communities on the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Response. March 23, 2020. Dr. Jay Butler, Deputy Director for Infectious Disease at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shared guidance with partners, public health practitioners, healthcare providers, and others working to protect the health of rural communities during a COVID-19 briefing on March 23, 2020. Video available here.
  • The Seattle Times – As a Coronavirus Pandemic Sweeps the World, American Indian Communities Turn to One Another, Teachings. March 24, 2020. Multiple Tribal communities have declared a state of emergency, which allows Tribal governments to utilize resource in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more here.
  • Native News Online – Indian Country Goes Live During Pandemic: Where to Watch Streaming Events. March 24, 2020. Many people across Indian Country are broadcasting live streams to help connect people while many are staying home to help stop the spread of COVID-19. Read more here.
  • Desert Sun - Coronavirus: Riverside, San Bernardino County Tribes Donate Thousands of Pounds of Food to Nonprofits. March 25, 2020. Many local Tribes in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties have opted to donate their unused food to nonprofits that can distribute it to locals in need. Thousands of pounds of food have gone to organizations such as the FIND food bank in Indio or the Little Church of the Desert in Twentynine Palms. Read more here.
  • Native News Online – More Coronavirus Cases Reported in Indian Country. March 25, 2020. As of Wednesday, March 25, 2020 additional Tribes have reported their first cases of COVID-19 where as others have reported additional cases as their numbers rise. Read more here.
COVID-19 Resources

Be sure to check resources as they are updated regularly since the situation is rapidly changing.

Guidance Updates
COVID-19 Events
  • The National Indian Health Board, along with its partners, is convening a second Tribal Leader Town Hall for Thursday, March 26 at 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM to discuss the third phase of COVID-19 stimulus legislation that the Senate is expected to pass today. Read more here.
  • Federal Update on the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) to Tribal Leaders and Urban Indian Organization Leaders call is scheduled for Thursday, March 26, 2020 at 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM (Eastern). Read more here.
  • Call/Webinar: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Clinician Outreach and Communication Activity (COCA) call - Underlying Medical Conditions and People at Higher Risk for Coronavirus Disease 2010 (COVID-19), will be Friday, March 27, 2020 at 2:00 PM (Eastern). Read more here.
  • The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) will host a weekly live Coronavirus Information Tele-Town Hall Thursdays at 1 p.m. ET. Join AARP each week online or by calling toll-free 855-274-9507.
COVID-19 Contact
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.

* Data include both confirmed and presumptive positive cases of COVID-19 reported to CDC or tested at CDC since January 21, 2020, with the exception of testing results for persons repatriated to the United States from Wuhan, China and Japan. State and local public health departments are now testing and publicly reporting their cases. In the event of a discrepancy between CDC cases and cases reported by state and local public health officials, data reported by states should be considered the most up to date.
News
CANCELLED 2020 American Indian & Alaska Native National Behavioral Health Conference

Due to concerns around the spread of the COVID-19 virus and response efforts taking place, the National Indian Health Board (NIHB) has decided to cancel the 2020 American Indian & Alaska Native National Behavioral Health Conference scheduled for June 23-25, 2020. We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause. We also sincerely hope you will plan on joining NIHB next year for 2021 American Indian & Alaska Native National Behavioral Health Conference. Read our complete statement here.
Funding & Opportunities
CDC PHAP Host Site Application
Applications open April 1-14, 202

The Public Health Association Program (PHAP) ran by the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are placed at various places in state, local, federal, and Tribal agencies. Host sites receives benefits which includes a partnership with the CDC, training support of the PHAP while allowing the PHAP to develop skill sets for early career. Read more here.
Call for Proposals - Global Ideas for U.S. Solutions: Cities Taking Action to Address Health, Equity, and Climate Change
Applications due Thursday, April 30, 2020 at 3:00 PM ET

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation is currently seeking proposals that foster learning and stimulate action in U.S. cities around smart, effective approaches from abroad that mitigate the unequal health risks posed by climate change. Successful proposals will explore changes in city planning, policies, and programs that address: buildings and energy; land use and urban planning; transportation; waste; food systems and food security; and air quality. Up to $3 million will be available for this funding opportunity. Read more here.
Tribal Opioid Response Grants
Applications due Monday, May 4, 2020

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) recently released a grant funding opportunity announcement entitled, “Tribal Opioid Response (TOR) Grants.” SAMHSA will offer a webinar on how to apply for the grants. TOR aims to address the opioid crisis in Tribal communities by increasing access to culturally appropriate and evidence-based services. Federally Recognized Tribes and Tribal organizations, including current TOR grantees, are eligible to apply. Read more here.
NIHB Seeks Director of Public Health Policy and Programs

NIHB is seeking qualified candidates for Director of Public Health Policy and Programs. This position is based in Washington, DC. NIHB encourages you to apply.  Read more here.
Resources
Native Wellness Institute offering Power Hour Workshops Daily

Times are unsettling and many people’s daily routines have been altered due to COVID-19. The non-profit Native Wellness Institute (NWI) is offering free 20-60 minute daily video workshops “ to keep healing and wellness at the forefront for individuals, families, and communities .” Presentations from NWI’s trainers and staff range from self-care to traditional storytelling to comedy and healthy cooking demonstrations.

Workshops are aired daily at 12:00 PM PST on NWI’s Facebook page. You can also view past sessions at NWI’s website.
Events
Native Center for Behavioral Health Webinar: Overview of Programs and Services
Today! Thursday, March 26, 2020 at 1:00 PM ET

The National Indian Health Board (NIHB), in collaboration with the Native Center for Behavioral Health (NCBH), will present a one hour webinar the services offered by NCBH. This presentation will also be presented by Dr. Anne Skinstad. The NCBH is a research center located within the University Of Iowa College Of Public Health. They have developed programs to assist behavioral health providers in understanding and implementing Native American & Alaskan Native cultural competency when providing services. They have transfer programs funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) in the areas of addiction ( ATTC), mental health ( MHTTC), and prevention ( PTTC), as well as tribal opioid response technical assistance (TOR TA), mental health technical assistance for K-12 schools (MHTTC-Supplement), and a Tribal College and University Initiative. Read more here.