Thursday, November 21, 2024
11/21/2024
Ketchikan Indian Community (KIC) is a Federally Recognized Tribe that serves over 6,000 Tribal Members. Since the first Novel Corona Virus (COVID-19) case was reported in Ketchikan, Alaska on March, 17, 2020 the KIC Behavioral Health Department has experienced a daily increase of 1-2 new clients per day seeking behavioral health assistance with depression, isolation, anxiety, and suicidal ideation. Clients have been struggling with increased levels of stress, fear, trauma and uncertainty because of the sudden and hazardous arrival of COVID-19. Moreover, the growing number of social distancing mandates has had a negative impact on the social environment in Ketchikan, particularly for people with a Substance Use Disorder (SUD) . KIC plans to use Emergency COVID-19 grant funds to evaluate, refine and enhance the overall delivery of treatment services for clients with substance use disorders and/or mental health illness. Emergency COVID-19 grant funds would assist the behavioral health staff develop and implement healthier changes to treatment programs and services in order to respond COVID-19 and assist the increased needs of SUD and/or mental health illness clients this pandemic has created. COVID-19 has reduced the ability of the KIC Behavioral Health Department to provide services for existing clients during an increased time of behavioral health need. Client access to health care has been significantly impacted by COVID-19 causing a negative impact on revenues the Tribe depends on to operate. Until the threat of COVID-19 is significantly mitigated or eliminated the KIC Behavioral Health Department estimates serving 75 new clients in Ketchikan over the next 16 months while simultaneously developing new telehealth pandemic protocol and processes.
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).
