Sunday, November 24, 2024
11/24/2024
Native Connections Abstract Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation The Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation’s Community and Culture department will implement a program for Chehalis youth, ages kindergarten through 24 in order to prevent suicide, substance misuse and reduce the impact of poor mental health of tribal youth. The goal of the Native Connections program is to reduce the number of youth who experience suicidal thoughts by 50% by 2026 by offering cultural and educational classes to reduce poor mental health and increase resiliency. Chehalis Native Connections will meet this goal by providing evidence-based classes for youth to teach about feelings, interpersonal relationships, the dangers of substance use and anti-bullying classes. Students may also participate in Question, Persuade, Respond classes which teach students how to help friends or family members who may be experiencing suicidal thoughts or feelings. The Chehalis governmental employees and Chehalis tribal community will also be offered QPR classes several times per year in order to have a strong support system in the community to prevent suicide. Traditional arts and plant use classes will be a major component of the program with the goal of connecting Chehalis youth to their ancestors by teaching tribal art forms such as drum making, weaving and beading. These skills are important to the survival of Chehalis culture, and in teaching the youth these skills, they will learn more about their cultural connections and discipline in perfecting their skills. The traditional plants component of the Native Connections program will teach the youth to identify native plants, understand optimal harvest time and proper storage and preservation of the plants. The plants and herbs will then be used to make traditional balms, salves and teas which were a major part of the cultural traditions of the Chehalis. The funding request of $917,239 will cover the operations of the program for five years and includes funding for a full-time project director, an evaluator at a 10% level of effort and funds for travel, training, and cultural and educational classes for youth. Funding also covers a community garden, traditional plants class and basket-weaving conference for cultural educational opportunities.
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).
