Indian Health Service – Tribal Injury Prevention Cooperative Agreement Program

• A Tribal organization as defined by 25 U.S.C. 1603(26). The term “Tribal organization” has the meaning given the term in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304): “Tribal organization” means the recognized governing body of any Indian Tribe; any legally established organization of Indians which is controlled, sanctioned, or chartered by such governing body or which is democratically elected by the adult members of the Indian community to be served by such organization and which includes the maximum participation of Indians in all phases of its activities: Provided That, in any case where a contract is let or grant made to an organization to perform services benefiting more than one Indian Tribe, the approval of each such Indian Tribe shall be a prerequisite to the letting or making of such contract or grant. Applicant shall submit letters of support and/or Tribal resolutions from the Tribes to be served.

• An Urban Indian organization (UIO), as defined by 25 U.S.C. 1603(29), that currently has a grant or contract award from the IHS under the Indian Health Care Improvement Act, 25 U.S.C. 1651-1660h. A UIO is a nonprofit corporate body situated in an urban center, governed by an urban Indian controlled board of directors, and providing for the maximum participation of all interested Indian groups and individuals, which body is capable of legally cooperating with other public and private entities for the purpose of performing the activities described in 25 U.S.C. 1653(a). Applicants must provide proof of non-profit status with the application, e.g., 501(c)(3).

The purpose of this Indian Health Service (IHS) cooperative agreement is to address the disparity in injury rates by encouraging Tribes to implement focused, community-based injury prevention programs and projects using evidence-based strategies. Injury prevention evidence-based strategies are prevention methods that have been scientifically evaluated and proven to prevent injuries, including strategic changes to the environment (for example, roadways, elder homes for fall hazards, smoke alarms) and strategies to promote behavior change (such as car seat use, float coat use). Injury prevention programs and projects are most effective when based on these model practices. The use of well-planned, promising, and innovative injury prevention strategies is also recommended.

Nationally, the leading causes of AI/AN unintentional injury deaths are due to motor vehicle crashes (Trends in Indian Health 2017 Edition, IHS, Division of Program Statistics) and falls are a leading cause of hospitalization for older adults (ages 55+) in several IHS Areas. Motor vehicle related injuries and elder falls are priority areas of the IHS Injury Prevention Program (IPP). To view IHS IPP supported evidence-based and promising strategies visit the IHS IPP website (https://www.ihs.gov/InjuryPrevention/) or Selected Evidence-based Strategies for Preventing Injuries (https://www.ihs.gov/sites/injuryprevention/themes/responsive2017/display_objects/documents/IHS_IPP_Evidence-based_Strategies.pdf).