Mohegan Tribal Opioid Response Project - The Mohegan Health and Human Services Division, under the direction of the Behavioral Health Department, will be implementing the Mohegan Tribal Opioid Response Project (project). The project builds on previous strategic planning from the Prescription Opioid Misuse Project Report (2018-2020) and the Tribal Health Assessment (2015), and both reports form the foundation for the project. Increasing Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) services to Tribal members is the primary focus and we now have three in-house Psychiatric Advanced Practice Registered Nurses that will prescribe MAT as needed and monitor for side effects and progress as well as medication compliance with the Tribal Pharmacy Staff. The workforce will be offered a number of opioid and stimulant misuse education, prevention, and treatment opportunities. They will also be able to participate in a few alternative healing programs that are developed for them specifically. All Tribal members and their families will also be offered substance misuse and co-occurring disorders education, prevention, and treatment opportunities. These opportunities will be delivered via teleconference, videoconference, radio, podcast, newsletters, email blasts, and through social media. The Mohegan Tribe utilizes an integrated treatment model that brings together traditional treatment with culturally based Native American healing practices. The Mohegan Tribe has developed a hub and spoke model of treatment with Yale-New Haven Clinic which is located on the Tribe’s Reservation. Evidence Based Assessments and Treatments will be utilized throughout the project. The initial intake assessments provide vital information regarding substance misuse and/or co-occurring disorders for each client and Government Performance and Results Act will be administered to individuals receiving Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved MAT. On a monthly basis, clients will be administered a small battery of assessments that will inform the clinical team as to the appropriateness of their selected Evidence Based Treatment and/or FDA approved medication and allow them to adjust treatment as needed. All these assessments will increase the likelihood that Tribal members with substance misuse and/or co-occurring disorders will be able to access the help they need and increase overall progress. The Mohegan Tribe is a sovereign, federally recognized Indian Tribe in Southeastern Connecticut and as of June 25, 2024, had 2,421 Tribal members in thirty-eight states across the United States and one family in Armed Forces overseas. Our Tribal Government employs 521 of which 146 are Mohegan Tribal members. As of January 2024, the Tribal businesses employ a total of 5,248 of which 101 are Mohegan Tribal members and forty-two are members of other tribes.
