HHS-2024-IHS-NUIBH-0001: Funding Opportunity for National Urban Indian Behavioral Health Awareness

The Indian Health Service (IHS) has recently announced a new funding opportunity under the title “National Urban Indian Behavioral Health Awareness” with the funding opportunity number HHS-2024-IHS-NUIBH-0001. This program is designed to significantly enhance the awareness, advocacy, and education surrounding behavioral health issues within the American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities residing in urban areas. With an estimated total program funding of $75,000, this initiative underscores a committed effort towards addressing the crucial health needs of AI/AN populations in non-rural settings.

This cooperative agreement aims to build and strengthen collaborative relationships that support the IHS’s mission to provide comprehensive and culturally appropriate health services. The program includes the administration of an annual national forum, such as a Behavioral Health Urban Indian Listening Session, to gather insights and suggestions related to behavioral health care policies and service delivery. Additionally, the recipient of this grant will provide technical assistance and education on strategic planning and grant writing, thereby enhancing the behavioral health care capacity of Urban Indian organizations (UIOs). The initiative also emphasizes the development of a quality improvement process, including the creation of effective evaluation tools to ensure the relevance and utility of the information and strategies disseminated through the project. This strategic move aims to bolster the overall quality and effectiveness of behavioral health services provided to Urban Indian communities. The grant, open to nonprofits with a 501(c)(3) status, except for higher education institutions, reflects a significant step towards acknowledging and addressing the unique health challenges faced by urban AI/AN populations.