Wednesday, February 5, 2025
2/5/2025
Indian Health Council, Inc. (IHC) is a nonprofit Federally Qualified Health Center run by and serving nine Federally recognized Tribes in Northern San Diego County. Founded in 1970, IHC Provided primary care services from two clinic facilities with over 200 dedicated staff, many of whom are American Indian members of the consortium communities. Given the strong connection to community, care and empathy is woven into the framework of the services provided. The opioid crisis takes a devastating toll on not only the community but the services members of IHC. Opioids are a longstanding problem in the Northern San Diego County service area of our 50 year old clinic: One Tribal Council consortium member shared in 2016 their reservation experienced 20 overdoses. In 2022, another Tribal Council member and their fire captain shared their reservation experienced 14 overdoses. Through our own efforts, with collaboration of first responders and key community informants, for years ’22-’23, we have tracked 49 overdoses amongst our consortium community, with 5 confirmed deaths. We do our best to track every overdose, but we believe many still go unreported due to the stigma of opioid use. In harmony with IHS' COIPP Goals and Objectives, IHC has the following overarching and interlinked four objectives for the proposed program, which will increase our organization’s capacity to serve people experiencing Opioid Use Disorder and their families, and more importantly to prevent the further spread of Opioid use, overdoses and deaths: Objective 1: IHC will promote the prevention of opioid use and overdoses to youth and adults in the community, through community engagement and creative outreach. Objective 2: IHC will develop a comprehensive support team to strengthen and empower AI/AN families in its service area, in order to address the opioid and overdose crisis. Objective 3: IHC will strengthen its ongoing MAT/MOUD program and actively work to overcome barriers to its full implementation. Objective 4 : IHC will support referrals and partnerships with harm reduction efforts in the area, including Narcan dispensing machines, expanded Narcan training, and connections with local providers of syringe exchange services and test strips for fentanyl and other hazardous drug components. In alignment with community voice and one of IHC’s strategic areas of focus, IHC is eager to reach all Tribal people within the area served to be a resource in ensuring zero overdose due to opioid misuse.
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).