IHS Tribal Management Grant Program - The Ak-Chin Indian Community (ACIC), “Community,” is requesting a one-year Tribal Management Grant (TMG) in the amount of $100,000 to enhance and develop our health management infrastructure. The TMG will assist the ACIC to further develop and improve organizational and management capabilities as well as manage existing and additional Indian Health Service (IHS) Programs, Services, Functions and Activities; or portions thereof; (PSFAs) under our Title V Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (ISDEAA) Self-Governance Compact. ACIC negotiated our first Self-Governance Compact and Funding Agreement effective on January 1, 2019, following an extensive three-year Self-Governance planning and negotiation process. The initial 2019 ACIC Funding Agreement included assumption of the Emergency Management Services (which was previously operated by ACIC under an ISDEAA Title I contract) and the Special Diabetes Program for Indians. The following year in 2020, ACIC assumed management of the Health Education program as a new PSFA; and effective January 1, 2022, the ACIC further expanded and assumed operation of the Purchased and Referred Care (PRC) program for ACIC Community Members. The remainder of direct health care services are provided to ACIC under the Gila River Indian Community Self-Governance Multi-Year Agreement. As we plan for assumption of new PSFAs, the need for a thorough review of internal health operations is now timely and necessary to manage and organize these PSFAs. Under this TMG, ACIC intends to carefully examine and explore health management options including the establishment of a Health Board, health department organization, and financial and data systems in order to strengthen and improve internal controls and capabilities. The requested funding under this TMG application will allow the ACIC Community Council to take a more comprehensive approach in determining the best health care structure for the Tribal government. Clear project objectives, activities, deliverables and timelines have been identified for the 1-year grant period. With oversight being provided by the TMG Project Manager, ACIC plans to work with a qualified Project Consultant to research and provide the Community Council (the Tribal governing body) with options and findings to develop a Health System Management Plan. This Plan will provide clear direction and design for the delivery of health care services, hiring of staff, and management oversight for the operation of current and future PSFAs that may be assumed by 2025.
