Sunday, May 11, 2025
5/11/2025
Supporting Tribal Public Health Capacity in Coronavirus Preparedness and Response - The Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians (MBPI) requires financial assistance and support from CDC to address the immediate needs with the Tribal Community and surrounding area in response to COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of the project is to establish and support new public health, safety and sanitation policies and procedures in response to COVID-19 and implement mitigation strategies to reduce the spread of COVID-19 within the Tribal community, Tribal Government, Casino and surrounding area. The Tribe is requesting $1,013,068 to complete the proposed activities and provide reimbursement of previous expenditures directly related to the preparedness, response and planning of COVID-19 pandemic as of January 20, 2020.Following CDC and State of Michigan recommendations, the Tribe will provide reusable cloth face masks to all Tribal Citizens and their families, Tribal Government Staff, and Casino staff and provide access disinfectants, sanitizers, and thermometers for health screenings. The Tribe has also identified the need to retrofit existing non-federal buildings to prepare for reopening of the Tribal Government and Casino. This includes, but not limited to, plexiglass installation at high traffic areas, retrofitting cubicles, and retrofitting HVAC to improve air quality and circulation, following CDC guidelines. Based on available information, throughout the 12-month project period, the Tribe anticipates serving roughly 914,000 people. This number includes Tribal Citizens (583) and members of their households, Tribal Government staff (175), Casino team members (750), and Casino guests. Prior to COVID-19, the Casino would receive 3,000 to 10,000 guests daily. While it is difficult to estimate the total number of guests the Casino will see in the next year in response to COVID-19, we estimated 5,000 daily guests x 365 = 1,825,000. Noting potential repeat customers, we divided this number in half, resulting in 912,500 estimated c asino guests over the course of the 12-month project. However, it is important to note the actual number of people served by this project is far greater. Family members of staff will also benefit from the project as staff will receive the proper protection, such as cloth face masks, reducing the spread of COVID-19 to their family members. Desired outcomes include the following: 1) Tribal Citizens, their families and Tribal Government staff receive clear communication regarding the Tribe?s COVID-19 preparedness and response activities, including new protocols for reopening the Casino and the Tribal Government; 2) Following CDC and State of Michigan recommendations, Tribal Citizens and members of their households, Tribal Government Staff and Casino Team Members receive reusable cloth face masks to increase protection and reduce the spread of COVID-19; 3) Following CDC and State of Michigan recommendations, casino guests receive disposable face mask to reduce the spread of COVID-19; and 4) The Tribal Government and Casino establish public health, safety, and sanitation policies and procedures to ensure safety of staff and guests, including retrofitting of non-federal buildings.
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).