Thursday, April 25, 2024
4/25/2024
The Tunica-Biloxi Tribe is seeking funding under the Indian Health Service’s (I.H.S.) Behavioral Health Integration Initiative (BH2I) to support integration of the tribe’s behavioral health services and capacities with primary care and community based services of the Tribe and other community partners. Behavioral health disease rates and co-morbidities for Tunica-Biloxi are elevated when compared to national averages, experiencing increased behavioral health disease rates and co-morbidities. According to the Louisiana Department of Health, non-medical prescription drug use among Tunica-Biloxi tribal members is estimated at 15.9%; while illicit drug use is approximately 18.4% for tribal members living on the reservation for 2020. This greatly exceeds the national average as well as the average among American Indians per SAMHSA’s 2017 National Survey on Drug Use Health. Similarly, alcohol abuse among Tunica-Biloxi Tribal adults is 22.4% per the Tunica-Biloxi Social Services Department, which is above the national average and just below the average for AI/AN populations. Other tribal survey data has demonstrated that Tunica-Biloxi has a high prevalence of depression, autism, attention deficit (hyperactivity) disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder. It is known that when one behavioral health disparity occurs, other disparities go untreated. The 2019 SAMHSA National Survey on Drug Use and Health, found that approximately 34.5% of youth aged 16 to 25 that were diagnosed with a mental health issue also have a substance abuse disorder that was not treated. Collectively, these measures highlight the unique constellation of behavioral health disparities that contribute to poor health outcomes for Tunica-Biloxi citizens. An integrated approach to behavioral healthcare, can assist in addressing many of these issues. Integrating behavioral healthcare services through the BH2I program will allow the tribe to achieve the below key goals: 1. Improve care coordination of behavioral healthcare with internal and local partners 2. Expand behavioral health care services through the use of culturally appropriate evidence-based (EBP) and practice-based models like trauma-informed care to address substance abuse issues. 3. Improve behavioral healthcare infrastructure
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).
