Strong Family Health Center (SFHC) is an Indian Health Service (IHS) funded organization, which is 100%
Purchase and Referred Care (PRC). We are not an Indian Health Clinic, nor do we have providers on site at
our facility. SFHC is located in rural Northeastern California in Modoc County which has a population of less
than 10,000 people. Our organization provides services to any American Indian / Alaskan Native who resides in
our service area. SFHC offers many services to our clients which include, but are not limited to, PRC, alcohol
and drug counseling, elders program, cultural youth activities, youth tutoring, after school program, victim
services program, MAT program, Community Health Representative, home visiting, transportation, Fitness
Center memberships, yoga, mental health services and the diabetes program. We serve approximately 250
clients and of those we are currently working with about 33 diabetics.
The SDPI Program is extremely important to our clients. We know that with continuing education and our
support, we will see an increase in the self-management of diabetes in our native population. We are looking to
decrease the need for complex specialty care such as dialysis, wound care, periodontal disease, retinopathy
and cardio vascular disease. Along with reducing medication costs.
The SDPI grant has allowed SFHC to build a thriving diabetic program that is focused on the diabetic clients
and their unique individual needs. The structure of our program has been met with great participation and has
shown a positive awareness of self management and a better understanding of the disease. We will continue to
provide education to our clients in a way that is measurable, appropriate and achievable. This will be done with
a variety of methods such as home visits, talking circles, case management, diabetic educators, dietitians,
physical fitness, medical professionals and screening.