PROJECT ABSTRACT
NOFO Project Title: Strengthening Public Health Systems and Services in Indian Country (CDC-RFA-TO-23-0001)
Applicant Name: Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians- Public Health & Human Service
Address: PO Box 666 Cherokee, NC 28719
Main Contact: Sheena Kanott Lambert, Director- Public Health
Phone: (828)-359-6782
Email Address: sheekano@ebci-nsn.gov
The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) is the only federally recognized tribe in North Carolina with approximately 16,200 enrolled members. The EBCI has 8 governmental divisions, including the Public Health and Human Services Division (PHHS). PHHS is a combined public health and social services entity with 250 employees.
The Public Health and Human Services Division (PHHS) of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) is applying for a cooperative agreement from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for the purpose of improving its Foundational Public Health Capabilities and Workforce. PHHS’ outcomes will focus on improving capacity to develop and implement public health programs and services to address prioritized public health activities in AI/AN communities. PHHS has 20 programs that deliver services to the community and plans to advance its organizational capabilities to deliver its services with high quality and professionalism, more efficiently, effectively, and responsively, and to assure a highly trained and dedicated workforce. PHHS's strategies will focus on:
1. Identifying and addressing the health needs of the community.
o Conduct a Tribal Health Assessment (THA) to identify the health needs of the EBCI community.
o Develop plans to address the needs of people with disabilities and people who identify as LGBTQIA+ or Two-Spirited.
2. Strengthening public health preparedness and response.
o Develop, exercise, and maintain comprehensive, flexible, and adaptable public health preparedness and response strategies and plans.
o Conduct community education and workshops to raise awareness of public health preparedness and response.
3. Building a strong and resilient workforce.
o Encourage the development, recruitment, and retention of a workforce with the capacity to deliver high-quality public health services.
o Select, develop, or identify trainings and educational materials that are culturally relevant and will address the needs of the workforce.
o Establish and maintain diverse public health partnerships to share resources, expertise, and knowledge to improve public health in the community.
o Promote a culture of continuous learning and development to attract and retain top talent.
This cooperative agreement will help PHHS to improve its organizational capacity and effectiveness in delivering high-quality public health services to the EBCI community.
