As the only national organization dedicated solely to addressing American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) health issues, the National Indian Health Board (NIHB) is recognized for its expertise in Indian health care and public health programs and policy; its unmatched ability to effectively engage with Tribes, Tribal organizations, Area Indian Health Boards, state and federal partners, and key stakeholders; and its extensive experience in providing outreach and education on a national scale. Formed in 1972, NIHB is a national 501(c)(3) not for profit, charitable organization providing health care advocacy; research; policy analysis; outreach and education; and capacity building and technical assistance (CBA/TA). NIHB conducts all activities on behalf of all 574+ federally recognized Tribal governments to promote and support their efforts to advance AI/AN health, and to focus attention on Indian health care needs – with the ultimate goal of improving health outcomes for Tribes. NIHB’s mission focuses solely on health and public health; it operates no activities outside of this scope. NIHB’s current health, education, and technical assistance operations encompass the diverse needs of Indian Country, and the systems and processes in place at NIHB ensure broad access to resources, programs, staff, and materials.
NIHB is submitting this proposal to the Indian Health Service (IHS) for the HHS 2023 IHS NIHOE 0001 funding announcement number. NIHB is proposing a single project to address all seven (7) components: (1) Line 128 Health Education and Outreach, (2) Health Care Policy Analysis and Review, (3) Substance Abuse and Suicide Prevention (SASP), (4) Domestic Violence Prevention (DVP), (5) Special Diabetes Program for Indians (SDPI), (6) Tribal Budget Formulation, and (7) Affordable Care Act (ACA) and Indian Health Care Improvement Act (IHCIA) outreach and education. NIHB is submitting distinct workplans for each of the components, but all fall under a single project goal: to increase awareness, visibility, advocacy, and quality of AI/AN health and public health services and programming through targeted outreach and education, support, technical assistance and training to Tribes and Tribal leadership. To complete this work over the three (3) years of the cooperative agreement, NIHB is applying for $851,311for grant year one (1), and similar amounts for grant years two (2) and three (3) (depending on available funding). This project – due to its large scope and the significant reach of NIHB and the proposed project activities, will serve an estimated 2.8 million AI/AN people.