Friday, May 9, 2025
5/9/2025
SAMHSA Emergency COVID-19 Grant - To address co-morbid mental illness and substance use disorders expected to be exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic within the 15,000-person service area of Indian Health Council, Inc. (IHC), a Tribal clinic serving a consortium of nine governing Federally recognized California Indian tribes, proposes to conduct an evidence-based program incorporating cognitive behavioral therapy and trauma-informed care via telemedicine as well as in-person by experienced therapists. Indian Health Council’s proposed SAMHSA Emergency COVID-19 Project will serve three largely distinct population subgroups: (1) Adults and Transition-Aged Youth (ages 16-99) with mental health problems and substance use disorders (70% of the team’s effort will be devoted to serving the first group). The second subgroup consists of healthcare providers from all IHC departments including Behavioral Health but also Medical and Dental (10% of team effort) who will be coping with traumatic experiences in serving clients who become incapacitated or die as a result of contracting the Covid-19 virus; a key partner in treating these providers is an existing Employee Assistance Program and treatment contractor, the Holman Group. The third subpopulation will receive treatment services for less severe mental health problems (20% of team effort). Following extensive outreach for treatment via local reservation radio stations and social media (e.g., Instagram and Facebook) as well as clinician calls to former clients, the Emergency Project Team will use evidence-based practices including cognitive behavioral therapy with telehealth and eventually in-person meetings. Trauma-informed care techniques will be bolstered through staff training and incorporation in treatment team checklists. The expansion of IHC’s existing telehealth capabilities will offer long-term value to the geographically widely-dispersed reservations, because they will increase availability of mental health and substance use treatment for these rural residents. Evaluation of client treatment progress will rely upon the analysis of pre- and post- use of survey instruments (GPRA, PHQ-2 and PHQ-9, and ANSA in addition to ACES at the outset of treatment).
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).