Monday, April 28, 2025
4/28/2025
Oneida Indian Nation Special Diabetes Program - The Oneida Indian Nation (the “Nation”) is a federally recognized sovereign Indian nation (see 87 Fed. Reg. 4636, 4638 (January 28, 2022)) with many Nation Members residing on or near the Nation’s ancestral homelands in Central New York State. The Nation provides comprehensive health services, including primary, diagnostic, and specialty care, at its Oneida Indian Nation Health Services (OINHS) facility to Nation Members, their families, and members of other Indian tribes. Health-related outreach and education activities are conducted at the OINHS facility and other Nation facilities throughout Nation lands. With a population that is disproportionally affected by diabetes, OINHS programs prioritize care for those with a diabetes or pre-diabetes diagnosis. The Nation proposes to continue its participation in the Special Diabetes Program for Indians (SDPI) as an individual awardee after many years as a sub-awardee under United South and Eastern Tribes, Inc. (USET). The Nation understands the importance of maintaining this program as it strives to support the good health of Nation Members and other eligible participants, which includes those who have been diagnosed with diabetes or pre-diabetes and who benefit from preventive and treatment services to help them avoid the health complications that can result from diabetes. The comprehensive services provided to OINHS patients and their families by the Diabetes Team, which includes the OINHS personnel and contracted specialty medical providers, have had a positive impact on the lives of program participants. Based upon data collected by the OINHS Diabetes Program, OINHS has identified the need to perform Hepatitis C screening services for patients with diabetes and has selected Hepatitis C screening as the Best Practice to track during this project. The Diabetes Team will work to ensure that patients with a diagnosis of diabetes are screened for Hepatitis C as part of their regular health care services. In addition, the Diabetes Team will continue to coordinate specialty medical visits, as needed, with the dentist, endocrinologist, podiatrist, and retinal imaging to help patients maintain their good health and to identify problems that can be caused by diabetes. Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support and Medical Nutrition Therapy are available, by referral, for all patients who are diagnosed with diabetes or pre-diabetes as part of their primary care regimen. The Nation proposes to provide additional related services using SDPI funds to support diabetes prevention and treatment. These include (1) tracking of patient glucose data which includes downloading data from glucometers or continuing glucose monitoring (CGM) devices to assist health care providers to make informed decisions about ongoing diabetes care; (2) coordination of the annual Three Sisters Dinner, which features traditional Native foods and highlights nutrition education and the importance of physical activity; (3) trips to the local farmers’ market for Elders during the summer months in which each participant is given a token to be used to purchase fruits/vegetables at the market; and, (4) continuation of cooking classes for youth who participate in the Nation’s summer recreation program in which participants learn cooking skills, food safety, and healthy eating practices. The SDPI funding is an essential component to the overall effort by the Nation and its Diabetes Program to support the health and well-being of the members of its community. The development of a Best Practice strategy including its implementation, the provision of specialty medical services, and additional activities to help increase the awareness of diabetes and its prevention and treatment serve to improve the outcomes for individuals diagnosed with diabetes or pre-diabetes. OINHS firmly believes that SDPI fills a gap to underserved populations, such as AI/AN, and supports a well-rounded, comprehensive approach to health care.
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).