American Indian Health Service Of Chicago Inc

URBAN INDIAN HEALTH

SPECIAL DIABETES PROGRAMS FOR INDIANS

GOONAKIDIN RESILIENCY PROJECT - ABSTRACT SUICIDAL BEHAVIOR IS A LEADING CAUSE OF INJURY AND DEATH WORLDWIDE. SUICIDE AND SUICIDE RELATED BEHAVIOR DISPROPORTIONATELY AFFECTS AI/AN AND YOUNG INDIGENOUS MEN HAVE THE GREATEST RISK.1 RECENT STUDIES OF SUICIDAL BEHAVIORS IN AI/AN COMMUNITIES RESULTED IN REALIZATION OF DIVERSE MOTIVATIONS AND MEANINGS FOR SUICIDAL BEHAVIORAL ACROSS CULTURAL DIVIDES LEADING TO THE NEED FOR CULTURALLY SPECIFIC INTERVENTIONS.23 STUDIES ARE SHOWING AN ASSOCIATION BETWEEN SUICIDE AND COMMUNITY-LEVEL FACTORS, SUCH AS SOCIAL DISORGANIZATION, CULTURE LOSS, AND A COLLECTIVE SUFFERING.45 THE CULTURAL MISALIGNMENT OF NORMATIVE MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT OF SUICIDE IS IN STARK CONTRAST TO AI/AN UNDERSTANDINGS. IN RECENT YEARS, MORE INFORMATION HAS COME TO LIGHT WHICH ADDRESSES THE ASPECTS OF SUICIDE PREVENTION BEING A LOSS OF SELF THROUGH COLONIZATION OF THE US. SUICIDE WITHIN NATIVE COMMUNITIES OFTEN STEMS FROM HISTORICAL, CULTURAL, COMMUNITY AND FAMILY DISRUPTIONS. TO BEGIN TO UNDERSTAND THE SUICIDE, YOU MUST CONSIDER THE ASPECTS OF HISTORICAL OPPRESSION, CURRENT INJUSTICES, AND ONGOING SOCIAL SUFFERINGS. MANY AI/AN YOUTH ARE AT A LOSS OF THEMSELVES AS HISTORICALLY, AI/AN RELATED THE SELF THROUGH THE FAMILY DYNAMICS. AIHSC WILL WORK TO INCORPORATE OPERATION SNOWBALL PHILOSOPHY (BASED ON THE ILLINOIS TEEN INSTITUTE ON SUBSTANCE ABUSE) INTO OUR 7 TRADITIONAL TEACHINGS TO HELP YOUTH, FAMILIES AND ADULTS FOCUS ON HEALING FROM INTERGENERATIONAL TRAUMAS. THROUGH THIS PREVENTION-ORIENTED PROCESS, YOUTH AND ADULTS FOCUS ON PREVENTION AND PROMOTION OF PERSONAL AND INTERPERSONAL GROWTH, LEADERSHIP SKILLS, HEALTHY DECISION-MAKING, AND HEALING REGARDING THE IGT FACED BY AI/AN COMMUNITY MEMBERS. AIHSC WILL GO ONE STEP FURTHER THROUGH INCORPORATING INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP THERAPIES FOR PARTICIPANTS WHO ARE INTERESTED IN CONTINUING A LONGER HEALING PROCESS. THOUGH OPERATION SNOWBALL FOCUSES ON ABSTINENCE FROM DRUGS AND ALCOHOL, WE WILL FURTHER PUSH THE BOUNDARIES TO DISCUSS SELF-HARM, SUICIDAL IDEATIONS AND SUICIDE. THROUGH CROSS-AGE TEACHING AND YOUTH/ADULT AND STAFF COORDINATION, WE CAN DEVELOP A COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAM TO ASSIST THE COMMUNITY IN HEALING FROM THE INTERGENERATIONAL TRAUMAS THAT IMPACT EACH PERSON. PROMOTE POSITIVE SELF-IMAGE AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF ONE’S POTENTIAL. DIFFERENTIATE BETWEEN ATTITUDES, FEELINGS, AND FACTS ON A VARIETY OF TOPICS RELEVANT TO TEENS. PROMOTE A GREATER UNDERSTANDING AMONG TEENS FROM VARIOUS GROUPS. PROVIDE A QUALITY LEARNING EXPERIENCE REGARDING ALCOHOL AND DRUG ABUSE AND ITS EFFECTS ON INDIVIDUALS AND THE COMMUNITY. DEVELOP A GREATER SENSE OF OPENNESS AND TRUST AMONG TEENS AND ADULTS THAT PROMOTES PERSONAL GROWTH. ENCOURAGE FOLLOW-UP SERVICES. DEVELOP DIFFERENT TYPES OF COMMUNICATION SKILLS TO PROMOTE POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS WITH PEERS, ADULTS, AND PARENTS. ENCOURAGE FAMILY PARTICIPATION IN THE EXPERIENCE. CREATE AN ATMOSPHERE IN WHICH PARENTS & TEEN RELATIONSHIPS CAN DEVELOP POSITIVELY. 1 GOLDSTON DB, MOLOCK SD, WHITBECK, LB, MURAKAMI JL, ZAYAS LH, HALL GCN. CULTURAL CONSIDERATIONS IN ADOLESCENT SUICIDE PREVENTION AND PSYCHOSOCIAL TREATMENT. AM PSYCHOL. 2008;63(1):14-31 2 GOLDBERG MJ. ON EVIDENCE AND EVIDENCE-BASED MEDICINE: LESSONS FROM THE PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE. SOC SCI MED. 2006;62(11):2621-2632 3 AISENBERG E. EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICE IN MENTAL HEALTH CARE TO ETHNIC MINORITY COMMUNITIES: HAS ITS PRACTICE FALLEN SHORT OF ITS EVIDENCE? SOC WORK. 2008;53(4):297-306 4 ECHOHAWK M. SUICIDE: THE SCOURGE OF NATIVE AMERICAN PEOPLE. SUICIDE LIFE THREAT BEHAV. 1997;27(1):60-67 5 KIRMAYER LJ, BRASS GM, TAIT CL. THE MENTAL HEALTH OF ABORIGINAL PEOPLES: TRANSFORMATIONS OF IDENTITY AND COMMUNITY. CAN J PSYCHIATRY. 2000;45(7):607-616

SEVEN SACRED BRANCHES - THIS GRANT WILL ALLOW AIHSC TO IMPACT THE NATIVE AMERICAN COMMUNITY BY ALLOWING OUR OUTPATIENT FACILITY TO IMPLEMENT A CULTURALLY COMPETENT SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT PROGRAM TO HELP OUR PATIENTS DURING THIS UNPRECEDENTED TIME OF NEED. WE WILL IMPLEMENT THE SEVEN SACRED BRANCHES PROGRAM, THIS APPROACH HONORS THE STRENGTHS OF BOTH INDIGENOUS AND WESTERN KNOWLEDGE AS ESSENTIAL FOR A CULTURALLY EMPOWERING SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT OUTPATIENT PROGRAM. WE UNDERSTAND THE POTENTIAL OF AN INTEGRATED APPROACH USED BY TREATMENT CENTERS AMONG INGENIOUS POPULATIONS (MAYS, ET AL., 2009). BASED ON RESEARCH, CULTURALLY-BASED INTERVENTIONS ARE EFFECTIVE AT IMPROVING FUNCTIONING IN ALL AREAS OF WELLNESS FOR INDIGENOUS PEOPLE IN TREATMENT FOR SUBSTANCE USE PROBLEMS AND ADDICTIONS (MAYS, ET AL., 2009). HOWEVER, THERE IS A NEED TO DEVELOP RELIABLE CULTURALLY BASED INTERVENTIONS OR METHODS THAT ARE MEANINGFUL TO INDIGENOUS WELLNESS AND PROVIDE NEEDED OFFICE-BASED TREATMENT, COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL THERAPY AND PSYCHOSOCIAL INTERVENTIONS. OUR CULTURALLY COMPETENT SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT OUTPATIENT PROGRAM WILL PROMOTE RECOVERY AND ABSTINENCE FOR NATIVE AMERICAN MENTAL HEALTH. 1) DEBWEWIN (TRUTH) - TRUTH REPRESENTS THE TURTLE, HE WAS HERE DURING THE CREATION OF THE EARTH AND CARRIES THE TEACHINGS OF LIFE ON HIS BACK, AND HE LIVES SLOWLY AND METICULOUSLY BECAUSE OF HIS UNDERSTANDING OF THE IMPORTANCE OF THE JOURNEY AND ULTIMATELY REACHING HIS DESTINATION. - TRUTH IS KNOWING ALL THESE THINGS AND APPLYING YOUR FAITH AND TEACHINGS TO SHOW HONOR AND SINCERITY IN ALL YOU SAY AND DO. 2.) ZOONGIDI’EWIN (COURAGE) - COURAGE OR BRAVERY IS REPRESENTED AS THE BEAR, THE MOTHER BEAR HAS GREAT COURAGE AND STRENGTH TO FACE FEARS AND CHALLENGES WHILE PROTECTING HER YOUNG. SHE SHOWS US HOW TO FACE LIFE WITH COURAGE. FINDING THE INNER STRENGTH TO FACE DIFFICULTIES IN LIFE AND COURAGE TO BE YOURSELF. - COURAGE HELPS YOU FIND YOUR INNER STRENGTH SO YOU CAN FACE YOUR FEARS ALLOWS YOU TO LIVE LIFE FREE. 3.) MANAAJI’IDIWIN (RESPECT) - RESPECT IS REPRESENTED BY THE BUFFALO, HE GIVES EVERY PART OF HIS BEING TO SUSTAIN THE HUMAN WAY OF LIVING, NOT BECAUSE HE IS OF LESSER VALUE, BUT BECAUSE HE RESPECTS THE BALANCE AND THE NEED TO HELP OTHERS. - RESPECT DOES NOT ALLOW YOU TO BE HARMFUL TO YOURSELF OR OTHERS. 4.) GWAYAKWAADIZIWIN (INTEGRITY) - INTEGRITY IS REPRESENTED BY THE RAVEN OR SABE. BOTH UNDERSTAND WHO THEY ARE AND HOW THEY WALK IN LIFE. - INTEGRITY REMINDS US TO BE OURSELVES AND NOT SOMEONE ELSE WHO WE ARE NOT. 5.) ZAAGI’IDIWIN (LOVE) - LOVE IS REPRESENTED BY THE EAGLE BECAUSE HE HAS THE STRENGTH TO CARRY ALL THE TEACHINGS. THE EAGLE CAN FLY THE HIGHEST AND CLOSEST TO THE CREATOR AND HAS THE SIGHT TO SEE ALL THE WAYS OF BEING FROM GREAT DISTANCES. - LOVE CAN BE FOUND IN THE CORE OF ALL TEACHINGS THEREFORE AN EAGLE FEATHER IS CONSIDERED THE HIGHEST HONOR AND A SACRED GIFT. 6.) NIBWAAKAAWIN (WISDOM) - WISDOM IS REPRESENTED BY THE BEAVER AS HE USES HIS NATURAL GIFT WISELY FOR SURVIVAL. THE BEAVER ALTERS HIS ENVIRONMENT IN AN ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY AND SUSTAINABLE WAY FOR THE BENEFIT OF HIS FAMILY AND FUTURE GENERATIONS. TO CHERISH KNOWLEDGE IS TO KNOW WISDOM. - WISDOM WILL TEACH YOU TO USE YOUR INHERITED GIFTS WISELY AND LIVE YOUR LIFE BY THEM. 7.) DABASENDIZOWIN (HUMILITY) - HUMILITY IS REPRESENTED BY THE WOLF, FOR THE WOLF LIFE INVOLVES LIVING FOR HIS PACK AND HIS ULTIMATE GOAL IS TO ALWAYS BE PART OF HIS PACK. - HUMILITY IS TO KNOW THAT YOU ARE A SACRED PART OF CREATION. - HUMILITY ALLOWS YOU TO RESPECT YOUR PLACE AND CARRY YOUR PRIDE WITH YOUR PEOPLE AND PRAISE THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF ALL. - HUMILITY TEACHES YOU TO FIND A BALANCE WITHIN YOURSELF FOR ALL CREATION.

EVERY LIFE IS SACRED - ABSTRACT THE AI/AN POPULATION FACES SIGNIFICANT INEQUITY IN HEALTHCARE AND HEALTH STATUS COMPARED TO OTHER U.S. POPULATIONS. SIMPLY BEING BORN NATIVE REMOVES 4.7 YEARS FROM THE AVERAGE LIFE EXPECTANCY IN THE U.S. AND INCREASES THE CHANCE OF DYING FROM LIVER DISEASE, DIABETES, CHRONIC LOWER RESPIRATORY DISEASES, AND SUICIDE. AI/AN YOUTH POSSESS THE HIGHEST RATE OF SUICIDE AMONG 15–24-YEAR-OLDS IN THE UNITED STATES. ACCORDING TO THE INDIAN HEALTH SERVICE, 33.9 PER 100,000 AMERICAN INDIAN YOUTH COMMIT SUICIDE EACH YEAR, WHICH IS 2.5 TIMES THE NATIONAL RATE FOR ALL YOUTH. SUICIDE IS THE SECOND LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH AMONG AMERICAN INDIAN YOUTH AND RISK FACTORS FOR YOUTH INCLUDE SUBSTANCE ABUSE, A LACK OF SOCIAL SUPPORT, AND DEPRESSION. A HIGHER PERCENTAGE OF AI/AN YOUTH SERIOUSLY CONSIDERED SUICIDE (34%) IN 2019 WHEN COMPARED TO THE OVERALL US POPULATION (18%). AMONG HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH, THE PERCENTAGE OF AI/AN YOUTH WHO MADE A SUICIDE PLAN IN 2019 IS APPROXIMATELY 9% HIGHER THAN THE OVERALL US POPULATION (U.S DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES OFFICE OF MINORITY HEALTH, 2021). INDIGENOUS SUICIDE IS ASSOCIATED WITH CULTURAL AND COMMUNITY DISRUPTIONS, NAMELY, SOCIAL DISORGANIZATION, CULTURE LOSS, AND A COLLECTIVE SUFFERING. CONVERSELY, LOWER SUICIDE RATES AND INCREASED WELL-BEING HAVE BEEN ASSOCIATED WITH COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT, CONNECTEDNESS, FAMILY COHESION, AND CULTURAL AFFINITY AMONG NATIVE PEOPLE. NEW EVIDENCE SUGGESTS THAT A NUMBER OF INTERVENTIONS, SUCH AS BEHAVIOR THERAPY AND CRISIS LINES, ARE PARTICULARLY USEFUL FOR HELPING INDIVIDUALS AT RISK FOR SUICIDE. SOCIAL MEDIA AND MOBILE APPS PROVIDE NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR INTERVENTION. COMBINING NEW METHODS OF TREATING SUICIDAL PATIENTS WITH A PROMPT PATIENT FOLLOW-UP AFTER THEY HAVE BEEN DISCHARGED FROM THE HOSPITAL IS AN EFFECTIVE SUICIDE PREVENTION METHOD. FURTHERMORE, PROMOTION OF MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING, PREVENTING DRUG ABUSE AND EXCESSIVE ALCOHOL USE, AND INJURY- AND VIOLENCE FREE LIVING—ARE DIRECTLY RELATED TO SUICIDE PREVENTION. EVERYONE FROM PRIVATE BUSINESSES, EDUCATORS WHO WORK WITH NATIVE YOUTH, LOCAL HEALTH CARE INSTITUTIONS, THE ILLINOIS STATE AND CITY GOVERNMENT, AND ALL CHICAGOLAND COMMUNITIES HAS A ROLE IN PREVENTING SUICIDE AND CREATING A HEALTHIER NATION. THE AMERICAN INDIAN HEALTH SERVICE OF CHICAGO RECOGNIZES THAT PREVENTION SHOULD BE WOVEN INTO ALL ASPECTS OF OUR INDIGENOUS POPULATION’S LIVES, ESPECIALLY THE YOUTH THAT EMBODY THE FUTURE OF OUR PEOPLE.

THE HEALING CIRCLE DIABETES PROGRAM UTILIZES AN INTEGRATED CARE MODEL THAT COMBINES WESTERNIZED MEDICINE WITH ANCESTRAL TEACHINGS. - AS HISTORICAL AND INTERGENERATIONAL TRAUMA HAVE MOLDED THE IDENTITIES OF PATIENTS, AIHSC WILL IMPLEMENT DECOLONIZED PERSPECTIVES OF HONORING AND LEVERAGING INDIGENOUS TEACHINGS TO ADDRESS AND OVERCOME ANCESTRAL AND/OR PERSONAL TRAUMA AND INDIVIDUAL CHRONIC DISEASE WITHIN OUR DIABETES PROGRAM, THE HEALING CIRCLE. THROUGH RECLAMATION OF INDIGENOUS TEACHINGS, OUR COMMUNITY CAN UNDERGO HOLISTIC HEALING WITHIN THE FOUR BODIES: MENTALLY, SPIRITUALLY, PHYSICALLY, AND EMOTIONALLY. OUR ANCESTORS PROMOTED HEALTH AND WELLBEING THROUGH A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE, INCLUDING CONSUMPTION OF A HEALTHY DIET, MEDICINAL PLANT USE FOR HEALING, AND CEREMONIES; WHICH ARE INTEGRAL TO OUR IDENTITY AND NECESSARY TO PASS ON TO FUTURE GENERATIONS. ONCE THE HEALTHIEST POPULATION ON THE PLANET, NATIVES USED TO HUNT, GATHER, AND LEAD ACTIVE LIFESTYLES. IT HAS BEEN ESTIMATED THAT NATIVE PEOPLE EXPENDED MORE THAN 4,000 CALORIES PER DAY BEFORE THE START OF RESERVATION LIFE. FORCED RELOCATION LED TO THE CONSUMPTION OF HIGHLY PROCESSED DIETS DISRUPTING THE TRADITIONAL HEALTHY FOOD SOURCES. IT IS POSSIBLE TO RETURN TO A HIGHLY NUTRITIOUS ANCESTRAL DIET CAN REVERSE THE EFFECTS OF METABOLIC DISORDERS BUT ACCESS TO ORIGINAL LANDS AND ANCESTRAL KNOWLEDGE HAS BEEN NEARLY LOST. ASSIMILATION THROUGH BOARDINGS SCHOOLS AND RELOCATION WHERE MASS TRAUMA FROM EMOTIONAL, PHYSICAL, AND SEXUAL ABUSE ALONG WITH TORTURE AND PUNISHMENT FOR MAINTENANCE OF TRADITIONS NEARLY LED TO THE DEMISE OF OUR WAYS. TRADITIONAL CEREMONIES ARE INTEGRAL TO THE EMOTIONAL AND MENTAL WELLBEING OF NATIVE PEOPLE, YET SUCH POTENTIAL IS UNKNOWN TO WESTERN MEDICINE. TRADITIONAL WAYS INVOLVE PATIENT, FAMILY, AND COMMUNITY IN THE HOLISTIC HEALING PROCESS. THROUGH PRACTICE OF COMMUNAL SONGS, PRAYER, MUSIC, AND DANCE, OUR PATIENT POPULATION CAN ADDRESS TRAUMA AND COLLECTIVELY HEAL THROUGH CULTURAL CONNECTION. SADLY, SPIRITUALITY AND ADHERENCE TO CEREMONIES, RITUALS, AND BELIEFS ENCOMPASS AN ASPECT OF OUR CULTURE THAT HAS BEEN OPPRES SED AND FORGOTTEN. THE HEALING CIRCLE WILL RECLAIM THESE WAYS AND EDUCATE ALL GENERATIONS, ESPECIALLY OUR IMPRESSIONABLE YOUTH WHO ABANDONED OR NEVER LEARNED THESE WAYS. WHEN COMPARING THE HEALTH OF OUR YOUNGER GENERATIONS TO ELDERS WHO ARE MORE CLOSELY TIED TO OUR TRADITIONAL PRACTICES, THE CONSEQUENCES OF LOSS OF ANCESTRAL KNOWLEDGE BECOMES APPARENT. OBESITY IS RISING WHILE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IS DECREASING. YOUTH WHO FOLLOW TRADITIONAL SPIRITUAL BELIEFS ALONGSIDE LOVING, CARING FAMILIES ARE MORE LIKELY TO MAKE POSITIVE LIFESTYLE CHOICES AS THEY ARE EMPOWERED WITH SENSE OF SELF AND INCREASED SELF-ESTEEM. RECLAMATION OF THIS KNOWLEDGE AND SUCCESSFUL INTEGRATION WITHIN OUR INTEGRATED CARE MODEL IS CRITICAL FOR REVERSING THE DAMAGE OF COLONIALISM AND ASSIMILATION WHILE ENABLING HOLISTIC HEALING OF THE TRAUMATIZED MIND, BODY, AND SOUL OF OUR POPULATION. THE HEALING CIRCLE DIABETES PROGRAM WILL ALSO INCLUDE INCREASING PHYSICAL ACTIVITY ON A DAILY BASIS WHEN POSSIBLE, AT LEAST TWICE PER WEEK THROUGH OUR HEALTH LIFESTYLE CHANGE PROGRAM OR PARTICIPATION IN OUR CLASSES LED BY A CERTIFIED FITNESS INSTRUCTOR TRAINED BY THE NATIVE AMERICAN FITNESS COUNCIL WHICH WILL ALSO HELP PATIENTS LOWER THEIR A1CS THROUGH INCREASED PHYSICAL ACTIVITY. AIHSC WILL ALSO HAVE TWO YOUNG TRADITIONAL DANCERS TEACH THE YOUTH AND FAMILIES HOW TO DANCE.

CHICAGO PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE CASE MANAGEMENT PROJECT

CHICAGO STI EDUCATION, PREVENTION, AND EARLY INTERVENTION - WITH THE 3RD LARGEST POPULATION IN THE US, CHICAGO ALSO HAS ONE OF THE LARGEST AMERICAN INDIAN AND ALASKA NATIVE POPULATIONS PROPORTIONATELY. UNFORTUNATELY, WITH THE STATE OF ILLINOIS SUFFERING FROM A HIGH PERCENTAGE OF STIS (CHLAMYDIA, GONORRHEA, AND SYPHILIS), THE AI/AN PERCENTAGES ALSO REFLECT THE DISPROPORTIONATE PERCENTAGE OF STIS. WITH AIHSC BEING THE ONLY URBAN, TRIBAL OR IHS FACILITY WITHIN THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE ABILITY OF AIHSC TO PROVIDE EDUCATION, EARLY INTERVENTION, PREVENTATIVE SERVICES IS CRITICAL TO PROVIDING QUALITY CARE TO OUR PATIENT POPULATION. AIHSC'S PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE HAS EXPERIENCE IN WORKING WITH HIGH-RISK POPULATION GROUPS, AS HE WORKED AT THE AIDS HOUSE OF CHICAGO DURING THE HEIGHT OF THE AIDS EPIDEMIC. AIHSC HAS WORKED DILIGENTLY TO DEVELOP RELATIONSHIPS WITH GROUPS THAT CAN COLLABORATE WITH AIHSC ON ENSURING THE PROJECT TO KEEP OUR PEOPLE SAFE IS SUCCESSFUL. WE HAVE WORKED WITH THE CITY OF CHICAGO PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT, ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH, CENTER ON HALSTED, THOREK HOSPITAL, STROGER HOSPITAL, AND MANY OTHER COMMUNITY CENTERED GROUPS TO DEVELOP A BROADER NETWORK TO ASSIST OUR COMMUNITY. IF SUCCESSFUL IN RECEIVING THIS GRANT, WE HOPE TO DEVELOP AI/AN SPECIFIC BROCHURES AND EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS TO PROVIDE TO THE COMMUNITY. OUR OUTREACH TEAM AND PHN WILL WORK DILIGENTLY TO ENSURE THAT THEY ARE ABLE TO PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL TRAININGS TO OUR YOUTH AND AT-RISK POPULATIONS. AIHSC WOULD ALSO LIKE TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE IMMEDIATE RESULTS TO OUR PATIENTS FOR STI TESTING.

CHICAGO METHAMPHETAMINE AND SUICIDE PREVENTION INITIATIVE PROJECT

CHICAGO DVPI PROJECT

AIHSC AMERICAN INDIAN YOUTH CENTER PROVIDING AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM FOR YOUTH AGES 13-17 AND A DROP-IN CENTER FOR YOUTH AGES 18-24.

SPECIAL DIABETES PROGRAMS FOR INDIANS

CIRCLE OF SURVIVORS - AMERICAN INDIAN HEALTH SERVICE OF CHICAGO WILL ENSURE THAT AMERICAN INDIANS/ALASKA NATIVES WITHIN THE STATE OF ILLINOIS HAVE ACCESS TO CULTURALLY COMPETENT, TRAINED 988 CRISIS CENTER SUPPORT ALONG WITH ACCESS TO OUR CULTURALLY RELEVANT, TRAUMA INFORMED CARE SERVICES. OUR CHICAGOLAND AI/AN COMMUNITY SUFFERS FROM A LOSS OF SELF-CONFIDENCE AND IDENTITY FROM HISTORICAL AND INTERGENERATIONAL TRAUMA AS WELL AS HEALTH DISPARITIES FROM SYSTEMIC DISCRIMINATION AND EXCLUSION. WE WILL SPEARHEAD A DECOLONIZING DATA PROJECT TO ENSURE AI/AN INDIVIDUALS ARE NO LONGER MISCATEGORIZED BY FIRST RESPONDERS, MEDICAL STAFF, LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT, AND CORONERS WHEN COMPLETING DEATH CERTIFICATES. WE WILL PROMOTE SUICIDE AWARENESS AND PREVENTION WITHIN OUR IMMEDIATE INDIGENOUS COMMUNITY AND THE GENERAL ILLINOIS POPULATION. TO GET COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDER INPUT ABOUT SUICIDE AND NEEDS, WE WILL PERFORM A COMMUNITY NEEDS ASSESSMENT THROUGH THE FACILITATION OF A GATHERING OF NATIVE AMERICANS FOR YOUTH AND ADULTS. OUR GOAL IS TO INTEGRATE INDIGENOUS WAYS OF HEALING AND CULTURAL PRACTICES WITHIN OUR STANDARDS OF CARE, ESPECIALLY FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH. AIHSC UTILIZES CULTURALLY BASED PROMISING PRACTICES TO FACILITATE HEALING OF OUR PATIENT POPULATION INCLUDING WELLBRIETY, MENDING BROKEN HEARTS, AND AN INDIGENIZED OPERATION SNOWBALL PROGRAM. IT IS ALSO VITAL TO IMPLEMENT COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES SUCH AS A POW WOW TO HONOR THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE AND ALLOW FAMILIES TO RECLAIM TRADITIONAL TEACHINGS ABOUT POW WOW DANCES AND CULTURAL ETIQUETTES, SUCH AS ENTERING A DANCING CIRCLE. THE BEST WAY TO PREVENT SUICIDE IS TO USE A CULTURALLY RELEVANT INTEGRATED APPROACH THAT INCLUDES CULTURALLY RESONANT PRACTICES, CONNECTION TO COMMUNITY’S RESOURCES TO CREATE A SHARED VISION OF WELLNESS, AND THE GATHERING OF INFORMATION FROM ELDERS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO GAIN KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTAND THE COMMUNITY BELIEFS REGARDING SUICIDE. USING THE INPUT FROM OUR MOST IMPORTANT STAKEHOLDER, OUR AI/AN COMMUNITY, AIHSC WILL WORK TO HELP THOSE ACTIVATING 988 TO RECEIVE THE BEST CARE POSSIBLE USING A CULTURALLY SENSITIVE APPROACH WITH ACCESS TO THE UNIQUE SERVICES OUR CLINIC OFFERS FOR THE HOLISTIC HEALING OF MIND, BODY, AND SOUL.

URBAN INDIAN HEALTH

HEALTH CENTER CLUSTER PLANNING GRANTS

HIV/AIDS AWARENESS, PREVENTION GRANT