Wah-Zha-Zhe Youth System of Care Planning Initiative - Osage Nation Si-Si A-Pe-Txa will develop the Wah-Zha-Zhe Youth System of Care Planning Initiative, a 3-year effort to establish the infrastructure, partnerships, governance, and strategic framework for a culturally grounded, family-driven, youth-guided System of Care for American Indian and Alaska Native children, youth, and young adults from birth through age 25 and their families throughout the Osage Nation service area. The initiative will address fragmented services, limited coordination among child-serving agencies, transportation barriers, workforce shortages, and inconsistent access to culturally responsive behavioral health services. A Tribal Community Board representing Tribal leadership, service systems, youth, families, elders, and community organizations will guide planning, while a Wah-Zha-Zhe Youth Council and cultural consultants will center youth perspectives and Osage traditions. Activities will include a Tribal strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats analysis; the Community Readiness Model; listening sessions, surveys, interviews, focus groups, and resource mapping; and a Gathering of Native Americans. Findings will inform a System of Care Blueprint defining governance, cross-system collaboration, referral pathways, workforce priorities, culturally responsive practices, youth and family engagement, financing approaches, and sustainability recommendations.
