Wednesday, January 15, 2025
1/15/2025
Two Eagle River School (TERS), the BIE funded high school of the Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes )CSKT) proposes to improve the mental health of American Indian students by implementing an evidence-based, culturally relevant, comprehensive mental health program. The name of the project is Nkwusm-A'klukpukamnam Native Connections. The Nkwusm-A'klukpukamnam Native Connections Project will serve 121 TERS students in grades 8-12, 25 youth ages 6-12 years old, and approximately 200 family members each year on the Flathead Reservation in Northwest Montana for a total of over 600 TERS students, 125 youth ages 6-12, and 1,000 family members over the five-year period of the project. Nkwusm is the Salish word for "one family or one fire." A'klukpukamnam is the Kootenai word for "we are all family" as it provides a conceptual framework for the project's vision, mission, and guiding principles. The Nkwusm-A'klukpukamnam Native Connections Project's goals, objectives, and activities are based upon the mental health priorities of TERS using school and community data from the past four years. The mental health priorities of suicide and substance abuse prevention, healing from grief, and reduction of violence were aligned with the Tribal Behavioral Health Grant Program criteria and requirements. The overall goal of the project is to create pathways of support using evidence-based practices made culturally relevant for TERS students and families to be mentally healthy and overcome the challenges they face. The goals of the Nkwusm-A'klukpukamnam Native Connections Project are: Goal 1: The TERS Native Connections Project will increase the capacity of the school and community to reduce high-risk behaviors of students that may contribute to substance abuse and/or other risk factors that keep them from being successful in school and life. Goal 2: The TERS Native Connections Project will increase the capacity of the school and community to utilize traditional values and practices that support students' and families' ability to be mentally and physically healthy. Goal 3: The TERS Native Connections Project will increase the capacity of the school to create a safe learning environment for students and staff and to reduce the incidences of and referrals for violent offenses, school suspensions/expulsions, arrests for assault and weapons charges, and other crimes. TERS will partner with CSKT Tribal Law and Order and the Boys and Girls Club of the Flathead Reservation and Lake County. These partnerships will provide opportunities for TERS to collaborate on professional development, to create a safe and supportive and school environment, and to create opportunities for TERS students to mentor younger students. The project hopes that its work will serve local students, families and community, as well as informing other professionals on the knowledge gained from the project.
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).