Wednesday, May 1, 2024
5/1/2024
Project Abstract-SDPI MICMAC HEALTH DEPARTMENT 2023 The Mi’kmaq Nation (MN herein after), formerly known as the Aroostook Band of Micmacs is the most Northeasterly Federally Recognized Indian Tribe in the United Stated and is located in the most rural northern Maine; Aroostook County. MN recognizes the limited local and culturally appropriate access to medication assisted treatment and education for the Micmac community in the substance use disorder. Since our Tribal community has 1,486 members who live in a service area of 6,672 square miles within Aroostook County, MN would like to continues its efforts towards diabetes prevention, patient education and disease management. The Micmac Health Department (MHD) is a small ambulatory care facility, operating under an Indian Health Services (IHS) 638 Title 1 contract. The MHD is located in rural Northern Maine in the city of Presque Isle. We provide healthcare to members of the Aroostook Band of Micmac’s and other federally recognized tribes. MHD serves approximately 482 people. Services provided include primary care, behavioral health, tele-medicine, fitness program/consulting, and nutrition education. Challenges the MHD faces include the COVID-19 pandemic, staff recruitment/retention, patient/participant recruitment and/or retention, transportation, and location. The MHD has recently hired a Clinical Nurse and is in the process of hiring a Community Health Coordinator. The addition of the Clinical Nurse will allow the Community Health program staff to be available to perform home visits or to provide transportation for diabetic patients. Being located in Presque Isle, Maine had been a challenge for our many patients that live 30 minutes or more away. It is our belief that having the Community Health Coordinator available to provide transportation will greatly improve patient retention as well as increased participation with other programs offered for diabetics. In previous years, the MHD has been working hard on diabetic standards of care as well as diabetes prevention and treatment with the help of the Fitness Specialist. SDPI’s funding for 2023 will continue to support the medical and behavioral health teams collaborative efforts for diabetes prevention and treatment and work towards the new Best Practice: Glycemic Control, as measured by A1C, reduces the risk of diabetes complications. Our efforts will be to focus on “self-care” through proper management and control through nutrition coaching and education, mental health, physical wellness, medication and lifestyle choices, reducing their risk of diabetes related complication during the course of the SDPI 2023 Year and beyond. We look forward to meeting the needs of our diabetic patients in the coming year.
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).
