Sunday, February 5, 2023
2/5/2023
The Lassen Indian Health Clinic (LIHC) - a tribal federal qualified health center at the Susanville Indian Rancheria (SIR) in Susanville California -is applying for this grant opportunity to serve SIR tribal members, American Indian/ Alaska Natives (AI/AN) and non-natives who use prescription pain medication or street opioids and have an Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) with Medically-Assisted therapies (MAT). One person’s recovery, no matter his/her racial affiliation, helps everyone. In 2018, Lassen County ranked sixth in California counties for opioid deaths - twice that of the state. Located in rural Northeastern California, Lassen is California’s eighth largest county in terms of size, but our population is small comparatively - 20,185 people, excluding approximately 11,000 people who are housed within three prisons here. The Rancheria has 279 tribal members of the descendancies of the Paiute, Pit River, Mountain Maidu and Washoe nations. Additionally, there are 182 AI/ANs living in Susanville and 661 living in Lassen. AI/ANs have the highest drug and opioid overdose mortality rate among all racial/ethnic groups in the US. Both rural and urban AI/ANs have sustained high levels of historical trauma and may use substances such as opioids to desensitize the past and painful stories. Many of the AI/AN in our community who use substances are hesitant to get help. The historic high prescription pain medication rates in Lassen County ( 2014 to 2018) are thought to be linked to the opioid crisis today. Socioeconomics may also contribute. Susanville’s poverty rate is 7% higher than Lassen County. Poverty for Native people here is 64% higher than other groups; alcoholism is 740% higher and suicide is 190% higher. While opioid misuse and disorders are elevated in our community, many who could benefit from MAT lack access to it. Based on figures provided by the Sierra Opioid Safety Coalition, there are between 207 and 266 people who lack access to MAT due to the shortage of doctors who prescribe MAT or limits to patients they can serve. Additionally, clinic staff have identified that there are currently 155 patients on pain management prescriptions who may have opioid disorders. Goal 1: Decrease the local MAT service gap for tribal members, AI/ANs, and non-natives with OUDs. This includes those receiving pain medication who may be at risk for OUDs. In first year, 65 patients on pain meds will be assessed for MAT and 77 patients in the second year. At the end of this grant period, we expect to close the MAT service gap by 39% by treating a total of 91 new clients - 33 people in year one and 58 in year two. Goal 2: Destigmatize substance abuse and encourage the treatment and recovery for native people using trauma-informed and culturally appropriate strategies. Through a community- led strategic plan to address the opioid issue and community outreach and education, we will see an increase of 10% inquiries at the LIHC for MAT and other therapies.
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).
