Outreach and Education Resources - Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

April: Behavioral Health

Outreach and Education Resources - Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

Share this ad in your newsletter or on your website. Other sizes are available on CMS's Outreach and Education Resources page. Public service announcements Share these informational audio clips and videos on your local radio station, website, and Facebook page. Audio English Lakota Navajo Ojibwe Yupik Zuni Video English Lakota Navajo Ojibwe Yupik Zuni Tweet it Find services to boost your body, mind, and spirit. Insurance covers them. Video #Nativehealth Flyers and fact sheets My Health Journey fact sheet (PDF, 1.6 MB, 2 pp) lists health insurance options that offer free preventive care services. Essential Health Benefits for American Indians and Alaska Natives (PDF, 2.4 MB, 2 pp) details benefits that all health plans must cover, including free preventive care. Native Communities Can Heal (PDF, 2.1 MB, 2 pp) provides information about the behavioral health benefits that insurance plans offer. Download these files or order copies of these resources on the Tribal Products Ordering Page. Please allow 2 weeks for your order to be completed.

Health Observances

National Infant Immunization Week Routine immunizations are covered by insurance as an essential health benefit. Help prevent outbreaks of measles and other contagious diseases by encouraging new and expectant parents to get their infants vaccinated on time and by promoting vaccinations during National Infant Immunization Week—April 27–May 4. For details, refer to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's parent-friendly 2019 vaccination schedule for infants and children through 6 years of age.

Maintaining foot health prevents amputations Foot Health Awareness Month in April is an opportunity to highlight the work podiatrists do to save the feet of people with diabetes and the importance of those patients receiving foot care. Podiatrists specialize in conditions of the foot, ankle, and lower leg. They are experts at treating foot ulcers or wounds that put patients with diabetes at risk for lower-limb amputations. To decrease that risk, patients with diabetes should see a podiatrist at least once a year. They should also avoid walking barefoot and check their feet daily for cuts, blisters, and sores—all of which could become infected and require surgery. "Sometimes patients are unaware of the significant risk a diabetic foot ulcer poses and believe a foot ulcer will heal on its own," says Parminder Jagur, a podiatrist at Sacramento Native American Health Center (SNAHC) in Sacramento, CA. "But foot ulcers tend to heal faster with wound care if they are found and treated early enough." Dr. Parminder Jagur, Sacramento Native American Health Center At SNAHC, Jagur works closely with primary care providers and a certified diabetes educator. He also walks patients through a set of diabetic foot care guidelines from the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons. "Diabetes education is crucial," Jagur explains. "We offer classes on a regular basis so that patients understand how routine podiatric care can help them live their lives and keep their feet."

Additional resources

Increasing access to healthy foods where people shop Eating nutritious foods can help prevent diabetes and lower the risk for diabetes-related complications. Programs to increase access to healthy foods wherever people buy groceries may help promote nutrition in Native communities. Locations include grocery stores, supermarkets, and convenience stores. For example, 65% of Chickasaw and Choctaw Nations of Oklahoma tribal members shop for food at a convenience store at least once weekly, and 56% travel more than 20 miles round-trip to buy groceries. Over a 14-month period, the Tribal Health and Resilience in Vulnerable Environments(THRIVE) program implemented promotion, placement, and pricing strategies in eight rural, tribally owned convenience stores in the Chickasaw and Choctaw Nations. As a result, the availability and sale of healthy food options increased in both Nations.

New podcast series, CMS: Beyond the Policy The new Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) podcast, "CMS: Beyond the Policy," seeks to demystify policy and program updates by presenting them in an easily accessible format. The first episode on Evaluation and Management Coding goes over the 2019 Physician Fee Schedule. CMS will release new episodes periodically and feature a range of subject-matter experts.

Funding Opportunities

Project LAUNCH Deadline: April 19, 2019 The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's Linking Actions for Unmet Needs in Children's Health Grant Program (also known as Project LAUNCH) will provide grants to promote healthy social and emotional development in children up to 8 years of age. At least three tribes and tribal organizations will receive awards. Learn more about Project LAUNCH.

Networks for Oral Health Integration Deadline: April 29, 2019 The Health Resources and Services Administration's Networks for Oral Health Integration (NOHI) will fund efforts to improve dental care access for children ages 17 and younger. Tribes and tribal organizations are encouraged to apply. Learn more about NOHI.

Rural Communities Opioid Response Program–Implementation Deadline: May 6, 2019 The Health Resources and Services Administration's Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP)–Implementation grants will support activities that expand access to and strengthen the quality of substance use disorder prevention, treatment, and recovery services in high-risk rural communities. Tribes and tribal organizations are encouraged to apply. Learn more about RCORP–Implementation.

Calendar of Events

Tribal Public Health Conference 2019 April 9–11, 2019 Tulsa, OK Register for the Public Health Conference The Southern Plains Tribal Health Board and the 7th Generation Conference are hosting the Tribal Public Health Conference with the theme, "Strength In Community, Power In Connection." Tribal elders, tribal partners, health care providers and administrators, and public health professionals from Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas are encouraged to attend. CMS ITU Outreach and Education Training April 23, 2019 Albuquerque, NM Register for the ITU Training The target audience for this CMS ITU training is business office staff, benefits coordinators, patient registration staff, medical records staff, and purchased/referred care services staff. Topics include CMS Tribal Affairs updates, Medicare, Medicaid, the Children's Health Insurance Program, state-administered programs, Social Security, and Veterans Affairs. Upcoming ITU Outreach and Education Trainings: May 14 in Tulsa, OK May 14 in Kansas City, MO May 30 in Bemidji, MN June 4 in Sacramento, CA June 18 in Billings, MT June 25 in Richmond, VA August 14 in Norwich, CT 7th Annual CRCAIH Summit April 30, 2019 Sioux Falls, SD Register for the CRCAIH Summit This year's Collaborative Research Center for American Indian Health (CRCAIH) Summitwill focus on youth. Its theme is, "Nurturing the Future of Native Youth Through Research." The intended audience includes health researchers, tribal leadership, health care providers, and social services workers. Online registration closes April 22. NIHB's 10th Annual National Tribal Public Health Summit May 13–15, 2019 Albuquerque, NM Register for the NIHB Tribal Public Health Summit  Sponsored by the National Indian Health Board (NIHB), the Tribal Public Health Summit attracts public health professionals, elected leaders, advocates, researchers, and community-based service providers. 2019 AI/AN National Behavioral Health Conference May 15–17, 2019 Albuquerque, NM Register for the AI/AN National Behavioral Health Conference The National Indian Health Board (NIHB) is hosting the American Indian and Alaska Native National Behavioral Health Conference with the theme, "Preserving Wisdom, Promoting Innovation." The intended audience includes behavioral health experts, public health professionals, federal employees, advocates, researchers, and community-based providers. 2019 Diabetes in Indian Country Conference Aug. 6–9, 2019 Oklahoma City, OK Register for the Diabetes Conference Health care providers and Special Diabetes Program for Indians grantees are encouraged to attend the Indian Health Service 2019 Diabetes in Indian Country Conference for updates on addressing diabetes.