The program aims to strengthen community bonds and well-being by integrating traditional knowledge from Elders with youth initiatives. It seeks to extend outreach to schools and community programs to tackle prevalent issues effectively. Evidence-based interventions like Red Road to Wellbriety, QPR Suicide Prevention, and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy are employed to address high-risk behaviors such as suicide ideation, substance abuse, and truancy. Through targeted outreach events and educational campaigns, substance use awareness is heightened and reduced within the community. Furthermore, mental health literacy is advanced in schools through comprehensive education covering substance abuse, suicide prevention, and overall mental health. The Strategic Prevention Framework (SPF) from SAMHSA guides the program's selection, implementation, and evaluation of culturally appropriate prevention activities, ensuring a holistic and culturally sensitive approach to community well-being. In terms of demographic profile, the AI/AN youth within this catchment area reflect the rich cultural heritage of the Ahtna Tribes. They primarily identify as Alaska Native or American Indian, a majority of which speak English and very few speaking their native languages such as Ahtna Athabascan, which is one of the driving factors for using cultural connections as a driving force for preventing suicide. The youth population encompasses individuals of various sexes, gender identities, and ages, typically ranging from adolescents to young adults aged 12 to 24 years old. While data on sexual orientation may be limited, our program aims to be inclusive and supportive of all AI/AN youth, irrespective of sexual orientation. Moreover, the socioeconomic status of these communities face significant economic challenges due to factors such as remoteness, limited employment opportunities, and lack of infrastructure. In fact, the per capita income of households is 10% lower than that of the rest of the United States, and the poverty rate of children under 18 is 33% higher than the national average. These factors greatly contribute a 5% less likelihood of obtaining any level of college education within our communities.
