Osage Nation Si-Si A-Pe-Txa Tribal 988 Response - Osage Nation Si-Si A-Pe-Txa (ONSSAPT) proposes the Tribal 988 Continuum of Care Expansion and Crisis Response Enhancement Initiative to strengthen and expand culturally responsive behavioral health crisis services throughout the Osage Nation service area and Osage County, Oklahoma. Building upon the success of ONSSAPT's previously funded Tribal 988 Response project, the proposed initiative will enhance coordination between the national 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, Tribal healthcare providers, behavioral health services, emergency responders, and community partners to improve access to timely crisis intervention and continuity of care for Tribal citizens. The project will address persistent behavioral health disparities experienced by American Indian and Alaska Native populations, including elevated rates of suicide, substance use disorders, trauma exposure, and limited access to behavioral health services in rural communities. Project activities will focus on strengthening referral coordination, implementing structured post-crisis follow-up services, increasing workforce capacity through crisis intervention and culturally responsive training, expanding public awareness of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, and integrating culturally grounded wellness activities that promote resilience and recovery. Key project personnel include a full-time Project Director, Behavioral Health Program Coordinator, Crisis Care Navigator, Peer Recovery Support Specialist, Community Outreach and Education Specialist, and a part-time Data and Evaluation Coordinator. Project implementation will be supported by contracted cultural consultants, an independent evaluator, professional graphic design services, and a comprehensive public awareness media campaign. The proposed project will conduct at least twelve community outreach and educational events annually, provide culturally responsive crisis education and prevention activities, strengthen collaboration with state and local crisis response partners, and improve referral tracking and continuity of care following behavioral health crises. Performance will be monitored through a comprehensive evaluation framework that includes referral tracking, participant follow-up, community outreach metrics, workforce development outcomes, and required SAMHSA performance reporting. Through this initiative, ONSSAPT will strengthen the Tribal behavioral health crisis continuum, increase community awareness and utilization of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, improve access to culturally responsive behavioral health services, and establish a sustainable, coordinated system of care that improves behavioral health outcomes for Osage Nation citizens and residents throughout the service area.
