Tuesday, April 23, 2024
4/23/2024
The Gerald L. Ignace Indian Health Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin will work to prevent the high rates of suicides in local Native American and Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities through the implementation of Native Connections Milwaukee. About 1/3 of the state’s AI/AN population lives in the Milwaukee area, or about 18,239 people. The local AI/AN population is younger than the population at large: about 36% of the local population is under age 25. They experience health disparities related to mental health and substance misuse, which can contribute to suicide risk. Native Connections Milwaukee will use a number of evidence-based and promising practices supported with highly effective screening and clinical intervention tools to reach more deeply and broadly into the AI/AN community that is under age 25. Through prevention education, screenings, outreach at local colleges/universities and through local AI/AN agencies, the program will reach 1,780 people annually, or 8,900 people over five years. Native Connections Milwaukee five goals are: Goal 1) Increase the capacity of local agencies to identify risk factors and implement prevention strategies for suicides in AI/AN communities. Obj. 1) Between June and December 2020, GLIIHC will provide best practices trainings to staff from at least four (4) colleges and universities and three (3) AI/AN specific organizations to increase their knowledge and understanding of suicide prevention. Goal 2) Formalize relationships with organizations that work with AI/AN communities to better support and serve AI/AN youth at risk of suicide. Obj. 1) Before the end of 2020, GLIIHC will finalize memoranda of understanding (MOU) with at least three (3) local universities and colleges and three (3) AI/AN specific organizations to formally set up referral protocols/processes. Goal 3) Implement evidence-base practices to address suicide prevention in AI/AN communities. Obj. 1) Between October and December 2020, train all GLIIHC clinical staff and key partner representatives in the Zero Suicide in Indian Country implementation model, and continue implementing existing evidence-based practices demonstrated to support and promote mental health in a culturally competent way. Goal 4) Increase opportunities for AI/AN families and young adults to participate in protective, culturally-specific and culturally relevant prevention activities. Obj. 1) Offer at least one on-site and one off-site opportunity each month for AI/AN youth, families and young adults to participate in protective, culturally-specific and culturally relevant prevention activities. Goal 5) Create a broader system for tracking AI/AN youth at risk of self-harm, AODA misuse, suicidal ideation, and/or attempts to complete suicide. Objective 1) Implement universal screening and tracking at GLIIHC starting in 2021. Objective 2) Work with local inpatient and outpatient providers and hospital systems to create a tracking process that will enable better tracking of AI/AN youth at risk, youth who have made attempts at suicide.
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).
