Thursday, November 21, 2024
11/21/2024
The Tule River Indian Health Center, Inc. (TRIHC) will implement the Youth Connections Project. The Youth Connections Project will provide much-needed substance abuse and suicide ideation/suicide prevention, intervention, and treatment services for Native American youth (ages 12 - 24), who reside on the Tule River Indian Reservation in Tulare County (California), as well as other Native American youth (ages 12 - 24) from throughout Tulare County. The target population reports high levels of depression and high levels of substance abuse, with alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana use reported as the most prevalent and serious problems, as well as high levels of suicide ideation. Specifically, 23.7% reported depression-related feelings in past month, 34.9% reported alcohol/drug use in past month, 9.5% reported marijuana use in past month, 31.8% reported e-cigarette use in past month, and 17.1% reported suicidal ideation in past year. The project will create an Advisory and Collaboration Council comprised of tribal and non-tribal agencies and organizations that work with Native American youth from throughout Tulare County and other interested stakeholders and, within the framework of this consortium, conduct a comprehensive analysis of the mental health, behavioral health, and substance abuse resources and needs associated with this population. The results of this comprehensive analysis will be used to identify service gaps, develop and implement plans to address identified service gaps, and develop and implement strategies designed to provide Native American youth in Tulare County with comprehensive, intensive, integrated, and seamless access to mental health, behavioral health, and substance abuse services provided in a holistic manner. The project will use two (2) evidence-based practices -- individual and family counseling using the Adolescent Community Reinforcement Approach (A-CRA) and the White Bison Medicine Wheel and 12 Steps for Adolescents Program (a modified 12-step program), as well as other evidence-based strategies to be determined through the development of an action plan. The project will also use brief screening for depression; brief counseling for alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana use; and tobacco cessation services. The goals of the project are to decrease Native American youth depression; alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana use; and suicide ideation in Tulare County. At the conclusion of the five-year project period, Native American youth in Tulare County will report at least a 15% decrease in depression related feelings, at least a 35% decrease in alcohol use, at least a 15% decrease in marijuana use, and at least a 25% decrease in tobacco use. The project will serve a minimum of 75 Native American youth in each year of project implementation -- a minimum of 375 Native American youth during the five-year project implementation period.
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).
