Project Summary:
Treating Opioid Use Disorder in the Hoopa Community K'ima:w Medical Center, and entity of the Hoopa Valley Tribe, is
responsible for the health care needs of Hoopa and surrounding communities. Located in far northern CA, in Humboldt
County, Hoopa is home to 3,084 residents, 85% of whom are Native American. The opioid crisis has taken a toll on the
community and the tribal leadership and KMC have worked diligently to develop programs for prevention, treatment and
aftercare of opioid use disorder (OUD). Currently KMC offers MAT treatment, outpatient OUD treatment services and
operates sober living houses for men and women. Behavioral Health counselors refer patients to inpatient detox
and inpatient rehab facilities, both of which are out of the immediate area. By contracting beds, the process of patients
entering detox/rehab facilities have been streamlined and patients are able to access services in an expedited manner.
The evidence based practices used by KMC are MAT, Native American Matrix model and 12 step programs, these models are shown to work well in the
rural native community. Other practice based modalities utilized by KMC staff to increase rates of recovery include connecting
patients to cultural activities such as sweats, gathering, traditional arts and connecting clients to ceremonies. The goal of this project is
to continue to work toward creating a health community, free of opioid use disorder while ensuring that all community
members struggling with OUD have access to treatment options, specific to their needs and are supported on their road
to recovery.