Covering Indian Country – February 2023

 

February 2023

 

Spotlight: Podcasts on third-party coverage Native people who are enrolled in third-party coverage are more likely to receive health care services. That’s why the National Indian Health Board (NIHB) has partnered with Indian Country Media and CMS to produce Hope + Healing, a six-episode podcast series. Launched this past December, the series explains how Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), Medicare, and the Marketplace enable tribes to enhance the services offered to American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/ANs). The podcasts feature interviews with leaders from Indian Country and tribal health experts. Outreach and education are key to helping people understand how third-party coverage benefits tribal communities and the Indian health care system. As you continue educating people about the importance of third-party coverage, please encourage tribal leaders and other community members to check out the Hope + Healing podcast series. Also, download and share Health Coverage Options for American Indians and Alaska Natives (PDF, 195 KB, 10 pp). This updated technical assistance document offers enrollment assisters the guidance they need to help AI/ANs better understand coverage options available through the Marketplace, Medicaid, and CHIP.

 

February: Children’s dental health

 

Share this ad in your newsletter or on your website. For more information, please visit CMS’s Outreach and Education Resources page. Public service announcements Share these brief audio clips and videos, available in Native languages and English, on your local radio station, website, and Facebook page. Audio clips   Videos Tweet it Make sure your child has dental care coverage from an early age. Enroll in CHIP today. https://youtu.be/Rb093X0idC4 #CMSNativeHealth Booklets and other resources Download these resources or order copies on the Tribal Products Ordering Page. Please allow 2 weeks for your order to be completed. 10 Important Facts about Indian Health Service and Health Insurance (PDF, 1.1 MB, 8 pp) explains how enrolling in health care coverage benefits Native communities. The “Third Party at Work” poster (PDF, 752 KB, 1 p) highlights how health care coverage provides additional funds to support the needs of tribal clinics. My Health: Dental Care for Children (PDF, 931 KB, 2 pp) explains what to expect during a preventive dental care visit and provides links to information about dental care coverage.

 

Health observances

 

February is National Children’s Dental Health Month Tooth decay can be painful and affect kids’ ability to concentrate and learn. That’s why an American Academy of Pediatrics policy statement on dental disease recommends that every child see a dentist by age 1. During National Children’s Dental Health Month, help prevent tooth decay in your community by reminding families that dental care coverage is an essential health benefit for children. Also, let people know that the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and Medicaid cover dental services, such as check-ups, x-rays, and fluoride treatments. Additionally, share the link for the dentist locator on InsureKidsNow.gov, which can be used to find a dentist who sees children and accepts CHIP and Medicaid.

 

American Heart Month February is American Heart Month, an ideal time to highlight the connection between blood pressure and heart health. High blood pressure increases a person’s risk for heart disease and stroke. For that reason, blood pressure should be checked at least once each year. In observance of American Heart Month, please remind people in your community to get their blood pressure checked. Also, let them know that blood pressure screening is covered as a preventive health service. Additionally, share the link to My First Blood Pressure Visit (PDF, 105 KB, 1 p), which lists questions and concerns for patients to bring up with their health care team.

 

Additional resources

 

NIHB/CDC survey to assess public health capacity February 17 is the deadline for tribal health directors and administrators to complete the second Public Health Indian Country Capacity Scan Survey (PHICCS II). All survey respondents will be entered into a raffle to win one of twenty $200 Visa gift cards. National Indian Health Board (NIHB) conducts the survey in partnership with the CDC every three years to assess tribal organizations’ capacity to deliver public health services. Findings from the previous PHICCS (PDF, 41 MB, 96 pp) were published in 2020.

 

Hear Her campaign The CDC reports that American Indian and Alaska Native women are twice as likely to die from pregnancy-related complications as White women. To address that disparity, the Hear Her campaign offers culturally tailored resources, such as: Posters and conversation guides Sample social media posts Videos of personal stories about pregnancy-related complications These resources encourage partners, friends, family members, coworkers, and health care professionals to listen and act quickly when a pregnant or postpartum person says something does not feel right.

 

Funding opportunities

 

IHS Tribal Management Grant Program Deadline: March 6 View the IHS Tribal Management Grant Program funding opportunity Indian Health Service (IHS) funds are available for projects to develop and enhance health management infrastructure. Tribes and tribal organizations may submit applications for one of the following project types: Feasibility study Planning Evaluation study Health management structure Approximately 14–16 awards of up to $150,000 each will be issued.

SAMHSA drug court grants Deadline: March 6 View the SAMHSA drug court funding opportunity Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) funds are available to expand substance use disorder treatment and recovery support services in existing drug courts. Approximately 81 grants will be awarded for projects lasting up to five years. Tribes and tribal organizations are encouraged to apply.

SAMHSA grants to enhance access to MOUD Deadline: March 7 View the SAMHSA MOUD funding opportunity The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is offering funds to enhance access to medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD). SAMHSA expects to award 24 grants for a performance period of five years or less. Tribes and tribal organizations are encouraged to apply.

RCORP-Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome Deadline: March 8 View the RCORP-Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome funding opportunity Tribes and tribal organizations may apply for fiscal year 2023 Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP)-Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome grants. The grants will support work to increase access to services addressing substance use disorders and other behavioral health challenges that affect pregnant and postpartum persons and their families. Approximately 40 awards will be issued for a three-year performance period.

Social and Economic Development Strategies Program Deadline: March 31 View the SEDS funding opportunity The Administration for Children and Families is offering Social and Economic Development Strategies Program (SEDS) grants for projects designed to: Grow local economies Strengthen Native families Address challenges stemming from a lack of infrastructure and community-based businesses Award recipients will be required to match at least 20% of their project’s total approved cost with cash or in-kind contributions. Approximately 30 grants will be issued. Tribes and tribal organizations are encouraged to apply.

 

Calendar of events

 

Some events may be cancelled, postponed, or held virtually as public health officials monitor COVID-19 safety measures during this time. Please check the events’ pages for updates on event status.

Indian Health Service Webinars Sponsored by the Indian Health Service (IHS) Tele-Behavioral Health Center of Excellence, the IHS tele-education webinars listed below are intended for health care team members. Trauma & stress disorders webinar series (12 p.m. Eastern) February 14: PTSD & Elders February 28: PTSD & Chronic Pain March 14: PTSD & Substance Use Disorders March 28: PTSD & Suicide April 11: Addressing PTSD Crises, Including Acute Suicidality April 25: Treating PTSD within the Criminal Justice System Behavioral health integration webinar series (12 p.m. Eastern) February 23: Diabetes & Mental Health in Integrated Settings: Stress Management March 9: Telehealth for Integrated Care March 23: Behavioral Health Integration Case Studies in AI/AN Health Clinics

2023 Tribal Nations Training Week March 11–18 Register via email for the 2023 Tribal Nations Training Week “Healing the Nations. Strong, Unified, Prepared” is the theme of this year’s Tribal Nations Training Week, which is hosted by the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Center for Domestic Preparedness. The training is fully funded for tribal, state, local, and territorial emergency responders. Anyone interested in attending should make sure to review course descriptions for prerequisites and requirements.

Virtual CMS ITU Outreach and Education Trainings CMS is committed to helping the Indian Health Service, tribal health programs, and urban Indian programs (ITU) maximize their ability to access third-party resources. To meet this objective, each year CMS holds trainings on pertinent topics to educate ITU staff and help them meet the needs of the patients they serve. Online registration opens 30 days prior to each ITU training. Once registration is open, detailed information about the training will be available, along with a link to access and print all training materials. Upcoming Virtual ITU Trainings by IHS Area Navajo: Weeks of March 20 and 27 Billings: Weeks of April 3 and 10 (mornings) Portland: Weeks of April 3 and 10 (afternoons) Albuquerque: Weeks of April 17 and 24 California: Weeks of May 15 and 22 Great Plains: Weeks of June 5 and 12 Nashville: Weeks of June 19 and 26 (mornings) Bemidji: Weeks of June 19 and 26 (afternoons) Oklahoma: Weeks of July 10 and 17

10th International Meeting on Indigenous Child Health March 24–26 Tulsa, Oklahoma Register for the International Meeting on Indigenous Child Health Co-hosted by the National Indian Health Board and other organizations, the International Meeting on Indigenous Child Health explores programs and strategies to promote the well-being of Indigenous children and youth worldwide. Early bird registration runs through February 28.

41st Annual Protecting Our Children Conference April 2–5 Reno, Nevada Register for the Protecting Our Children Conference The theme of the 41st annual Protecting Our Children Conference is “Healing Our Spirits: Nurturing and Restoring Hope.” Sponsored by the National Indian Child Welfare Association, the conference is geared toward social service providers; legal professionals; advocates for children; and tribal and federal leaders.

15th Annual Tribal Public Health Conference April 11–13 Durant, Oklahoma Register for the Tribal Public Health Conference Early bird registration for the 15th annual Tribal Public Health Conference opened December 1, 2022. General registration will begin February 25, 2023. “Restoring Health and Uniting Community” is the theme of the conference, which is hosted by 7th Generation and Southern Plains Tribal Health Board. Conference topics include community engagement and organizing; mental wellness; oral health; policy and advocacy; and more.

 

 

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