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Cherokee Nation CHAP TPI aims to improve access to behavioral health services across the Reservation through partnership with Oklahoma State University to train Behavioral Health Aides.

Award Number: H1H7IHS0009
ORGANIZATION: INDIAN HEALTH SERVICE
OPDIV: IHS
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: HEALTH SERVICES
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 07/01/2026
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 06/30/2029

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Cherokee Nation CHAP TPI aims to improve access to behavioral health services across the Reservation through partnership with Oklahoma State University to train Behavioral Health Aides. - Cherokee Nation Health Services (CNHS) proposes to implement the Community Health Aide Program (CHAP) through the development and deployment of Behavioral Health Aides (BHAs) to improve access to behavioral health care across our 14-county reservation in northeast Oklahoma. Serving a predominantly rural population, CNHS faces significant behavioral health workforce shortages, long wait times, and persistent barriers to care, including transportation limitations, cost, and lack of culturally aligned services. Current provider-to-patient ratios and service gaps underscore the urgent need for scalable, community-based solutions. This project will establish a sustainable, community-rooted BHA workforce trained through a new partnership with Oklahoma State University, launching the first tribally affiliated BHA training program in the state. Over the three-years, CNHS will implement a phased approach: building infrastructure and service models in Year 1, deploying BHAs at two pilot sites in Year 2, and evaluating outcomes with expansion planning in Year 3. BHAs will be recruited primarily from Cherokee communities and will provide culturally responsive services under structured clinical supervision, improving trust and engagement while reducing access barriers. The project integrates workforce development, service delivery, and continuous quality improvement. CNHS will develop the necessary credentialing, supervision, electronic health record, and billing systems to sustain BHA services, while pursuing Medicaid reimbursement pathways, and leveraging tribal and federal funding. Evaluation will use a mixed-methods framework to measure improvements in access, service utilization, patient satisfaction, workforce capacity, and financial sustainability. By the end of the project period, CNHS will establish BHAs as permanent positions, with demonstrated improvements in behavioral health access and a scalable model for expansion. This initiative advances tribal self-determination by strengthening a culturally grounded workforce and creating a replicable framework for other tribal health systems seeking to address behavioral health disparities.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2026 ( Subtotal = $500,000 )
2026	2026	CHEROKEE NATION	17675 S MUSKOGEE AVE	TAHLEQUAH	OK	74464	CHEROKEE	USA	Indian Health Service Community Health Aide Program	00	1	7/13/2026	NEW	$500,000
														Subtotal = $500,000

Grand Total All Awards = $500,000

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Cherokee Nation CHAP TPI aims to improve access to behavioral health services across the Reservation through partnership with Oklahoma State University to train Behavioral Health Aides.

Award Number: H1H7IHS0009

ORGANIZATION: INDIAN HEALTH SERVICE

OPDIV: IHS

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: HEALTH SERVICES

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 07/01/2026

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 06/30/2029

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