Friday, May 9, 2025
5/9/2025
Supporting Tribal Public Health Capacity in Coronavirus Preparedness and Response - Mexican Water Chapter envisions three stages of development to provide a truly effective COVID-19 emergency preparedness and response program at the rural, isolated, traditionally tribal community level. These stages are: 1) implement a local sanitizing and educational program2) establish a reliable communication system (cell and broadband)3) create a detailed operational/business plan for a locally based Utah Navajo Emergency Operations CenterThese three core components not only meet the expressed needs of Mexican Water Chapter but they would also be a model for the other six Utah Navajo Chapters and perhaps all 110 Navajo Chapters.Geographically, Mexican Water Chapter covers 505 square miles in the extreme northern portion of the Navajo Nation and spans the Arizona-Utah state line. The northern portion is within San Juan County, Utah, while the southern portion is within Apache County, Arizona.Mexican Water Chapter is home to over 1,300 people ranging from newborn to elders. Of the 385 households, 25 percent have persons over the age of 65. It is common for multi-generations to live together. Almost one-third or 30 percent of the households have five or more persons, resulting in overcrowded homes.Of the 320 occupied housing units, 175 are in Arizona and 145 in Utah. One-third of all housing units lack bedrooms, a fact that indicates they may be traditional Navajo hogans. Hogans are one-room structures, typically with no electricity or plumbing. An estimated 43 percent of the homes lack complete plumbing facilities.These data clearly indicate why COVID-19 positive cases are high on the Navajo Nation. Native American communities face elevated risks from the COVID-19 pandemic due to historical social vulnerability issues. The Navajo Nation surpassed New York and New Jersey for the highest per-capita coronavirus infection rate in the US - another sign of Covid-19's disproportionate impact on minority communities.Mexican Water Chapter has its share of COVID-19 cases. Some community members tested positive and spread the disease to other family members, and unfortunately there have been several deaths. Because of HIPPA regulations, the number of cases and deaths in Mexican Water Chapter are unknown. Nonetheless, Mexican Water Chapter has been significantly impacted by COVID-19. The pandemic has shaken the foundations of our local government, family units, households, and frankly, our way of life.We are faced with unprecedented challenges from finding the safest and most responsible approach to complying with new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines. As the government of our community we must rethink procedures, workflows, and processes for re-opening the chapter house and determining how to help our community members make appropriate changes at home, all the while focused on the mitigation of the potential spread of the virus.The CDC grant Supporting Tribal Public Health Capacity in Coronavirus Preparedness and Response represents a lifeline for Mexican Water Chapter to combat the pandemic and limit the damages to our People and our Nation. These funds will enable Mexican Water Chapter to make realistic changes.The three project phases/strategies support the Navajo Nation, Indian Health Services, and Utah Health Services activities to limit the spread of COVID-19; to mitigate the impact of illness, suffering, and death.
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).