Covering Indian Country – December 2019

Spotlight: Suicide Prevention Resource Center

Amy Painter, MBA

The Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC) is devoted to advancing implementation of the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention. The SPRC supports suicide prevention efforts across all settings and age groups, including American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities. SPRC's Manager of Tribal Initiatives Amy Painter (Ho-Chunk/Dakota), MBA, notes that key partners are crucial to the success of suicide prevention initiatives. In addition to community-level partners, tribes often must collaborate with partners outside of their communities to develop a comprehensive approach to suicide prevention. "One of the things we do well is to foster collaboration between tribes and external partners, such as states or universities," says Painter. The partnerships provide opportunities for tribes to teach cultural humility while accessing technical expertise on subjects such as suicide surveillance or inpatient care. "We help facilitate the work in a way that honors tribal sovereignty." — Amy Painter, MBA, Manager of Tribal Initiatives, SPRC Notably, SPRC maintains a comprehensive online library that includes best practice models, toolkits, online trainings, research summaries, and more. The center also maintains a webpage with tips and resources specifically tailored to AI/AN settings. "We want to make sure tribal communities are aware of all the free resources on our website and can find what they need," Painter says. "To that end, we've archived the Native Connections and SPRC Websites Walk Through Webinar, which walks viewers through the resources available." SPRC is supported by a Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration grant and operated by the Education Development Center, which is headquartered in Waltham, MA.

December: Health care coverage for a healthy year

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 brief audio clips and videos, available in various Native languages and English, on your local radio station, website, and Facebook page. Audio clips Videos Tweet it Get health care coverage for a healthy 2020. https://youtu.be/QgycU-ah3fs #CMSNativeHealth Flyers and fact sheets 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. Native Communities Can Heal (PDF, 2.1 MB, 2 pp) explains which behavioral health services are available when people sign up for health care coverage. Essential Health Benefits for American Indians and Alaska Natives (PDF, 2.4 MB, 2 pp) lists free preventive services and other benefits that all plans cover. Enroll in Medicaid (PDF, 548 KB, 1 p) describes how families can qualify for Medicaid and the benefits that come with enrollment.

Health observances

Safe Toys and Celebrations Month December's increase in decorating and entertaining brings a greater risk for fires (PDF, 834 KB, 1 p). In observance of Safe Toys and Celebrations Month, help families prevent fires this holiday season (PDF, 5.6 MB, 1 p) by sharing the tips below. Test fire alarms and remind visitors to smoke outside at least 20 feet from the house Stay in the kitchen when cooking food or boiling water Consider using battery-operated candles Inspect electrical decorations to ensure cords and wires are secure and intact Avoid overloading electrical outlets and extension cords Turn off and unplug holiday lights at bedtime or when leaving home

Additional resources

Education to help prevent liver cancer and hepatitis A leading cause of death worldwide, liver cancer is more common among American Indians and Alaska Natives than in White or Black populations. This health disparity is largely due to high rates of chronic hepatitis C infections in Indian Country. As described in a recently published program evaluation brief, Cherokee Nation implemented activities to increase knowledge and awareness of hepatitis prevention and control. Health care providers who participated in the activities throughout the 8-month period were better able to identify patients at high risk for hepatitis and liver cancer. Both providers and community coalition members said they intended to mention those diseases during upcoming health care visits. Caring for people with cancer Meeting the needs of people with cancer can be challenging for caregivers. Compassionate, culturally appropriate resources are now available to help. Tips for Caring for In-Treatment American Indian Cancer Patients (PDF, 289 KB, 4 pp) covers topics such as communicating with health professionals, monitoring patients' vital signs, and seeking support as needed. American Indian End of Life Considerations (PDF, 287 KB, 4 pp) describes the various ways in which caregivers can help patients and families plan ahead and improve quality of life. Guidance on using CMS tribal outreach materials The National Indian Health Board and CMS developed 2 brief role-play videos demonstrating how to use tribal outreach and education materials. The first video is intended for patient benefits coordinators and others who host information booths at health fairs or community powwows. The second video is geared toward community health representatives, public health nurses, and community health care providers who visit patients in their homes.   Funding opportunities Rural health coordination and development Applications due: December 20, 2019 View the rural health coordination and development funding opportunity The Health Resources and Services Administration has a funding opportunity under its State Offices of Rural Health Coordination and Development Program. This opportunity aims to strengthen leadership, increase collaboration opportunities, and offer education on policy and emerging health issues for rural areas. Substance abuse and HIV prevention Applications due: December 27, 2019 View the substance abuse and HIV prevention funding opportunity The Substance Abuse and HIV Prevention Navigator Program for Racial/Ethnic Minorities increases access to services for people ages 13–24 who are at highest risk for HIV and substance use disorders. Services are delivered by community health workers, neighborhood navigators, and peer support specialists. Workforce development grants to foster opioid recovery Applications due: January 9, 2020 View the workforce development funding opportunity The Employment and Training Administration's Support to Communities: Fostering Opioid Recovery Through Workforce Development grant program addresses the economic effects of opioid use and substance misuse. Grantees will engage community partners in efforts to deliver career, training, and supportive services to workers in significantly impacted areas. Calendar of events CMS ITU Outreach and Education Trainings December 17–18, 2019 Rapid City, SD Register for the ITU training in Rapid City The target audience for CMS ITU trainings 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: February 5–6, 2020, in San Diego, CA March 2020 in Gallup, NM (Navajo) March 18–19, 2020, in Denver, CO March 31–April 1, 2020, in Seattle, WA April 21–22, 2020, in Albuquerque, NM May 2020 in Kansas City, MO May 2020 in Chicago, IL May 12–13, 2020, in Oklahoma City, OK NIHB's 11th Annual National Tribal Public Health Summit March 17–19, 2020 Omaha, NE Register for NIHB's National 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. The summit covers health promotion and disease prevention, substance misuse and behavioral health, environmental health, and more. 38th Annual Protecting Our Children Conference March 29–April 1, 2020 Denver CO Register for the Protecting Our Children Conference The theme of this year's Protecting Our Children Conference is "Honoring Our Past, Present, and Future Generations." Sponsored by the National Indian Child Welfare Association, the conference is geared toward child social service providers; legal professionals; child advocates; and tribal, state, and federal leaders. NICWA Training Institute April 1–3, 2020 Denver, CO Register for the NICWA Training Institute The National Indian Child Welfare Association (NICWA) training institutes are led by professionals with extensive experience working with tribal communities. The April NICWA training institute will focus on positive parenting and understanding the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978. Tribal Public Health Conference 2020 April 14–16, 2020 Durant, OK Register for the Tribal Public Health Conference The Southern Plains Tribal Health Board and the 7th Generation Conference are hosting this year's Tribal Public Health Conference with the theme, "Reclaiming Healthy Narratives in Indian Country." Tribal elders, tribal partners, health care providers and administrators, and public health professionals are encouraged to attend.