Sunday, April 28, 2024
4/28/2024
Pleasant Point is home to the Sipayik Nation Tribal Community and is located in Washington County, Maine with approximately 850 residents and an additional 500 Tribal Members living in the surrounding areas. Washington County, one of the most remote, rural and economically depressed areas in the United States, is plagued with limited employment opportunities, extreme poverty and a continuing growing rate of opiate addiction. Thus native youth must negotiate a complex web of interconnected social problems. While poverty, racism and isolation affect the entire community, the damaging effects often fall disproportionately on the young. Alienation from their culture, history and community has led to a sense of hopelessness and low esteem which can lead to self-destructive behavior. Native youth are in need of a safe environment with positive role models to whom they can turn for guidance, develop healthy identities, and find their rightful place in the community and world. The unemployment rates are typically 63% depending on the season and 64% of those living on the reservation live well below the poverty level. The proposed project increases prevention services and programming in Sipayik Boys & Girls Club and Cultural Center; promotes the purpose of SAMHSA Native Connections to reduce the impact of mental and substance use disorders; fosters culturally responsive models that reduce and respond to the impact of trauma in the Sipayik Passamaquoddy Community; and increases access to needed behavioral health services. Proposed work will build on the existing Club structure, which intentionally and proactively promotes protective factors and strives to reduce risk behaviors in youth. Boys & Girls Clubs are uniquely positioned to offer support to community youth and families.
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).
