Weekly News, Funding, Resources, and Upcoming Events in Indian Country

May 28, 2020

SDPI Program Updates Released by IHS

The Indian Health Service (IHS) released a Dear Tribal Leader and Urban Indian Organization Leader Letter (DTLL/DUIOLL) on May 20 announcing several updates to the Special Diabetes Program for Indians (SDPI). SDPI was sent to conclude its current 5 year grant cycle this year. However, in light of COVID-19, IHS received an exception, and FY 2021 will now be added as a 6th year to the current grant cycle. This change will allow current grantees to complete a continuation application process, which is less demanding than applying for a new grant cycle.

While SDPI is continuing, the program has still only received $25 million of the $150 million it spends each year. This continuation process is reliant on Congress authorizing additional SDPI funds.

Read the DTTL/DUIOLL here.

Supporting Tribal Public Health Capacity in Coronavirus Preparedness and Response (CDC-RFA-OT20-2004)

Applications due Sunday, May 31, 2020

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Office for State, Tribal, Local, and Territorial Support (OSTLTS) is providing a grant opportunity to Tribal communities to strengthen their public health system and carry out surveillance, epidemiology, laboratory capacity, infection control, mitigation, communications, and other preparedness and response activities in response to COVID-19. Read more here.

HRSA FORHP Rural HIV/AIDS Planning Program

Applications due Friday, July 10, 2020

The Health Resources and Services Administration’s Federal Office of Rural Health Policy (FORHP) has issued a funding opportunity announcement under the Rural HIV/AIDS Planning Program to assist in the development of an integrated rural HIV health network for HIV care and treatment that will collaboratively plan to address key strategies identified in Ending the HIV Epidemic: A Plan for America (EHE). Read more here.

Call for Tribal COVID-19 Resources

The National Indian Health Board (NIHB) is seeking to create a pool of resources which Tribes can access when planning or implementing their own COVID-19 response.  To this end, NIHB is asking Tribes to share with us any tools, operational plans, guides, policies, communication products, etc. that has helped your Tribe combat this pandemic.  The materials can be de-identified, if needed. These resources will be placed online within NIHB’s COVID-19 Tribal Response Center alongside other community health materials. We hope this aids Tribes to build on successes and support each other in the collective effort to mitigate the impact of the pandemic on Indian Country. 



To submit any materials or resources, please email Courtney Wheeler ([email protected]). If you have any questions, please contact Courtney Wheeler. 

Three Funding Opportunities for Alzheimer’s and Related Dementias Programs

Funding for Alzheimer’s and Related Dementias programs is available for Tribal public health departments and governments:

NIHB is Seeking Indigenous Knowledge on Blood Lead Level Testing

 

NIHB is working in partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to increase the capacity of rural and non-urban Tribal communities for identifying and addressing elevated blood lead levels in Tribal children. To accomplish this, NIHB seeks to engage Tribal representatives and health professionals in 20-minute key informant interviews. The interviews will ask Tribal Health Directors or programmatic staff to describe their programs or operational plans in place for blood lead level testing and their current knowledge of lead exposure risk factors. Protecting children from exposure to lead is important to lifelong good health.

If you are interested in this opportunity, please contact Sara Zdunek at [email protected] or 202-507-4077.

NIHB is Hiring!

NIHB is seeking qualified candidates for the follow positions based in Washington, DC:

Read more here.

Tribal Maternal Mortality Review Committees Fact Sheet

To find out more about maternal mortality in Indian Country and how maternal mortality review committees address these mortality rates, read more here.

“What is a Tribal Epidemiology Center?”

What is a Tribal Epidemiology Center (TEC) and what does it do? In collaboration with the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium and the Southern Plains Tribal Health Board, staff describe in this video how the TECs serve American Indian and Alaska Native Tribes, Tribal organizations, and urban Indian organizations to improve health and well-being.

NIHB Technical Assistance Resources for CDC COVID-19 Funding

The National Indian Health Board (NIHB) has hosted several technical assistance webinars on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Tribal noncompetitive grant funding opportunity, Supporting Tribal Public Health Capacity in Coronavirus Preparedness and Response (CDC-RFA-OT20-2004). These webinars included a walkthrough of the grant application requirements, and two office-hour question and answer sessions. Recordings of the first two webinars and minutes from the sessions are now available online. The third will be posted on NIHB’s COVID-19 website under funding technical assistance.

Additionally, NIHB has prepared several documents to assist Tribal Nations in applying for federal grant funding. All NIHB COVID-19 funding technical assistance tools can be found on the NIHB website here.

COVID-19 Resources

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.

NIHB Webinar: Anxiety and COVID-19

Today! Thursday, May 28, 2020 at 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM ET

The National Indian Health Board (NIHB) is pleased to announce a Mental & Behavioral Health Webinar Series. This 4-part series will address topics such as anxiety, substance misuse, and suicide prevention among American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN). The first Mental and Behavioral Health webinar will explore anxiety and COVID-19 among AI/AN. The discussion will include general background information as well as sharing resources with attendees. The presentation will be followed by Q & A. Read more here.

NIHB Webinar: Public Health and Clean Air Presented by the National Tribal Air Association

Thursday, June 4, 2020 at 1:00 - 2:00 PM ET

Click here to register!

The National Indian Health Board (NIHB) is pleased to announce an upcoming webinar: Public Health and Clean Air. This webinar will be presented by the National Tribal Air Association and will describe the importance of clean air to public health; the basics of the landmark federal law regulating air quality, the Clean Air Act; and how Tribes can work with the Environmental Protection Agency and other partners to monitor air quality on Tribal lands.

This webinar is hosted as part of the Climate and Health Learning Community. The learning community is focused on knowledge exchange, and members are encouraged to share information and build relationships with each other and the presenters. The webinar is open to the public. Read more here.

CTCCCP Cancer Survivorship Webinar Series

The California Tribal Comprehensive Cancer Control Program (CTCCCP) under the California Rural Indian Health Board is presenting a series of webinars on cancer survivorship for the upcoming month of June. The webinar series will help to identify coping strategies for those diagnosed with cancer and prepare cancer survivors for challenges and obstacles to overcome. Read more here.  

Registration open for ALL Injury Prevention and Surveillance Discussion Sessions

Join the National Indian Health Board for a series of conversations on injury surveillance and prevention for American Indian and Alaska Native communities! These meetings are opportunities for you to share your insights and expertise on Tribal injury surveillance and to be heard by your peers, the National Indian Health Board, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Tribal service providers, public health practitioners, and subject matter experts are invited to share their insights and expertise at 1.5 day sessions in Spring and Summer 2020. All are welcome to participate.

Registration is now open for ALL SESSIONS:



You can register for all sessions here: https://survey.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3ygWaqFd8dCuxBb .

Space is limited to 50 participants per session, so sign up today! You can also register for our email list to stay up to date .

Have questions? Please contact Nina Martin ( [email protected] , 202-548-7299) or visit our website for more information.