Tuesday, September 10, 2024
9/10/2024
Violence against American Indians and Alaskan Natives (AIAN) continues to be a critical public health issue. Research has found more than four in five American Indian and Alaskan Native women and men have experienced violence in their lifetime. A 2016 National Institute of Justice report states that 56% of AIAN women and 28% of men AIAN had experienced sexual violence in their lifetime. In addition, 66 % of AIAN women and 73% of AIAN men had experienced psychological aggression by an intimate partner in their lifetime, and 56% of AIAN women and 43% of AIAN men had experienced physical violence by an intimate partner. Nationwide, the yearly incidence rate of physical assaults among Native American and Alaskan Native women and men are higher than those of women and men of other ethnic and racial groups (U.S. Department of Justice, 2008; National Institute of Justice, 2016). American Indian and Alaskan Native women experience a higher level of sexual assault than non-Native women in the U.S. In fact, Native women are more than 2.5 times more likely to be raped or sexually assaulted than non-Native Women in the U.S. (U.S. Department of Justice, 2004). Addressing intimate partner and sexual violence is a priority for Fresno American Indian Health Project (FAIHP). FAIHP is an American Indian non-profit organization, recognized by The Indian Health Service (IHS) as an Urban Indian Health Program. FAIHP is based in Fresno, California. Though Native programs/services exist in Fresno County, a coordinated community response addressing intimate partner and sexual violence is not in place. FAIHP submits this proposal for a domestic violence prevention program that seeks to reduce intimate partner and sexual violence by promoting healthy relationships and lifestyles through a coordinated, community-driven, and culturally-based context program. The purpose will be to prevent intimate partner and sexual violence; break cycles of violence; minimize long-term psychological and emotional trauma and adverse life outcomes; improve safety; increase self-esteem and self-confidence, and promote the acquisition of pertinent life skills among AIAN individuals displaying early signs of risk. The program goals are as follows: Goal 1: Expand Interventions; Goal 2: Foster Coalitions and Networks; Goal 3: Educate and Train Service Providers; Goal 4: Promote Community Education; Goal 5: Improve Organizational practices; Goal 6: Establish policies, protocols, and procedures; Goal 7: Integrate Culturally Appropriate Practices; Goal 8: Implement Trauma-Informed Care. Achievement of the aforementioned goals will enhance community partnerships, increase knowledge of culture and heritage, reduce isolation and promote healthy connection, and improve health and safety outcomes for AIANs.
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).
