Sunday, April 6, 2025
4/6/2025
Special Diabetes Program for Indians - The Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida (MTIF) is a federally recognized Tribe located in a rural area of South Florida within the confines of the Everglades. The MTIF currently operates a Tribal Health Department, which provides on-site multi-disciplinary services, such as Urgent Care, Family Medicine, Home Visiting Program, Pharmacy, Dental Health Care, Behavioral Health (Alcohol & Substance Abuse and Mental Health), Diabetes and Metabolism Clinic, Health and Wellness Education, Fitness, Massage Therapy, Physical Therapy and In-Home Nursing Care (24/7) which are primarily housed in the Health Clinic. There are several components housed in what is called the Wellness Center. The Wellness Center operates numerous outreach programs with a focus on a collaborative approach to disease prevention through diabetes prevention, management and treatment, health education, fitness and nutrition. The Wellness Center is staffed with a full-time Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist, Health Education Coordinator, Assistant Health Education Coordinator, Certified Fitness Instructor, Massage Therapist and Physical Therapist. On-site specialty care is also provided through contracted services which include podiatry, optometry, nutrition services, psychiatry and Angio-screen (a screening designed to indicate risk of heart disease and stroke). Patients are referred off-site for specialty care such as cardiology, nephrology, endocrinology, neurology, and orthopedics services in the surrounding area. The Miccosukee Tribe has successfully administered the Special Diabetes Project for Indians since 1997 as a sub grantee through the United Southern Eastern Tribes (USET). The grant has provided the means for the Miccosukee Health Department to target activities specifically towards optimizing patient care and establishing community based diabetes prevention and management programs. The Miccosukee Tribe is seeking a continuation of the SDPI funding for program continuation and expansion. The ability for tribal members to access diabetes and disease prevention programs are limited. Geographical proximity to Diabetes Self-Management Education Programs has been identified as a challenge. The Miccosukee community is strong in culture and located in the Everglades. The use of Traditional Indian Medicine and cultural considerations are at times a challenge for the administering of programs and/or activities, i.e. death in clan, activity & diet restrictions. Historical mistrust of western medicine is also prevalent. The continuation of the SDPI funds will provide the opportunity for the Miccosukee Tribe to maintain current diabetes patient care practices and expand upon diabetes prevention and management programs based within the local tribal community. Providing opportunities for programs developed and administered at the local level will facilitate ownership of these programs by the tribal members. The SDPI grant funding allows our tribal health system to implement high quality interventions to the target population through programs based on diabetes best practice guidelines. These interventions improve diabetes care resulting in improved clinical outcomes for our patients. The funding has made it possible to improve the lives of our community specifically those living with diabetes and those at risk for developing diabetes.
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).