The Wabanaki 988 Tribal Response Project that will serve the five Maine Wabanaki Tribal communities and their members. WPHW has identified three goals for the project (1) Ensure Wabanaki tribal people have access to culturally competent, trained 988 crisis center and Care Line support; (2) Improve the integration and support of 988 crisis centers, Wabanaki Care Line, and our Tribal organizations to ensure there is smooth and effective navigation and follow-up care; and (3) Facilitate collaborations with our Tribal and state health providers, law enforcement, and other first responders in a manner which respects Wabanaki tribal culture. During the grant period, the Wabanaki 988 Tribal response Project will serve approximately 2,000 individual 988 callers and 140 training attendees.
Maine’s tribal population is approximately 13,000 people, with most living on or near one of the 5 reservations spread over three large rural counties. The majority are under 35 years of age; a reflection of a high birth rate, and a much shorter life span. Life expectancy is roughly 55 years, compared to 79 years for other Mainers. They have a higher rate of disability; 32.2% of working-aged AI/AN in Maine reported having a disability as compared to 14.7% for the general population. 23% of tribal members report making less than $10,000/year with a median income of $15,540 as compared to the 2019 average per capita in Maine of $32,637. Educational attainment is less than other Mainers, with less than an estimated 50% of tribal members receiving a high school diploma or equivalent.
Objectives for Goal 1: Objective 1.1: WPHW will complete a tribal readiness or needs assessment based on the most current epidemiological data to identify and prioritize the gaps in crisis response services for Wabanaki tribal communities; Objective 1.2: WPHW will develop a comprehensive strategic plan to address the gaps in Maine crisis response services related to the Wabanaki tribal communities it serves; Objective 1.3: WPHW will increase access to culturally competent crisis support by providing orientation training materials to 988 crisis center staff: an overview of the Wabanaki Communities of Maine and PH needs; and Objective 1.4: WPHW will recruit and hire a GPRA data entry specialist to allow for more efficient processing of GPRA forms.
Objectives for Goal 2: Objective 2.1: WPHW will submit a quality improvement plan developed collaboratively with the Maine Crisis Line (MCL) centers that will focus on policies, first contact, assessment, referral, and access to local and tribal care that is culturally relevant and sensitive to ensure there is a comprehensive and coordinated response for tribal individuals at imminent risk for suicide; Objective 2.2: WPHW will begin implementing the improvement plan; Objective 2.3: WPHW will develop a printed resource guide listing tribe-specific community resources that can be utilized by MCL and Wabanaki Care Line staff to ensure the seamless provision of care via service referrals; Objective 2.4: WPHW will develop policies to bridge peer center and Wabanaki Care Line peer support; and Objective 2.5: Within 2 years of award, WPHW will provide at least 2 National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) trainings for all 5 tribal communities. At least 14 tribal individuals will be at each training.
Lastly, objectives for Goal 3: Objective 3.1: Establish and collaborate with the Maine Crisis Line centers and the Wabanaki Care Line center to improve effective 988 response and linkage to local and tribal resources, including cases of emergency intervention; Objective 3.2: Within 120 days of award, WPHW will deliver training for Maine Crisis Line center staff that specifically addresses tribal cultural needs and sensitivities when responding to tribal individuals; and Objective 3.3: Within 180 days of award, WPHW will develop a plan for sustaining collaboration with MCL centers after the grant period, by developing a Memorandum of Under