Seldovia Village Tribe Health Management Modernization Initiative - Seldovia Village Tribe (SVT) is a federally recognized Alaska Native Tribe and an Indian Health Service (IHS) Title V Self-Governance tribe that provides healthcare services through SVT Health & Wellness to the rural communities of Homer, Seldovia, and Anchor Point on Alaska's southern Kenai Peninsula. SVT Health & Wellness serves approximately 2,500 patients, including about 575 American Indian and Alaska Native individuals eligible for IHS services. Geographic isolation, limited road access between service locations, workforce recruitment and retention challenges, and the need for reliable multi-site administrative and communications systems pose significant management challenges for delivering and supporting healthcare services across the region. Through the three-year Health Management Modernization Initiative, SVT proposes an eligible Health Management Structure project under Priority Four to strengthen the healthcare workforce and the management infrastructure supporting Tribal health operations. The project comprises three coordinated objectives: (1) Healthcare Workforce & Organizational Capacity, (2) Integrated Human Resources & Payroll System, and (3) VoIP Communications Infrastructure Upgrade. Together, these activities will strengthen leadership continuity, workforce development, administrative efficiency, and reliable communication across SVT's geographically separated locations. By the end of Year 3, SVT will establish a leadership continuity framework supported by a Leadership Capacity Assessment, Critical Position Matrix, Succession Planning Manual, Leadership Development Plan, operational manuals, Executive Transition Plan, and Organizational Readiness Assessment. The project will also partially support recruiting and integrating a Deputy Director and strengthen mentorship, cross-training, and recruitment and retention strategies. SVT will implement an Integrated Human Resources & Payroll System and target a 50% reduction in identified manual HR/payroll workarounds and duplicate processes. The VoIP Communications Infrastructure Upgrade will establish baseline and post-implementation measures for call quality, dropped or failed calls, routing accuracy, system reliability, and multi-site connectivity. The initiative builds on SVT's established healthcare management capacity, prior IHS Tribal Management Grant investments, and experience managing complex federal healthcare and infrastructure projects. Through monthly project oversight, measurable performance monitoring, Continuous Quality Improvement, staff training, and consultant or vendor support when specialized expertise is required, SVT will integrate project improvements into ongoing operations. The Health Management Modernization Initiative will strengthen SVT's long-term capacity to support its healthcare workforce, administer IHS programs under its Title V compact, maintain HRSA Health Center Program operations, and provide sustainable Tribal healthcare management across the southern Kenai Peninsula.
