NCUIH Requests SAMHSA Engage with Urban Indian Organizations in Redesign of Tribal Behavioral Health Grant Program
On November 27, 2024, the National Council of Urban Indian Health (NCUIH) submitted written comments to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration’s (SAMHSA) October 2024 Dear Tribal Leader Letter on redesigning the Tribal Behavioral Health (TBH) grant program to streamline the program and enable applicants to focus on priorities that align with their needs. In its comments to SAMHSA, NCUIH requested that SAMHSA engage with Urban Indian Organizations (UIOs) by hosting an Urban Confer or UIO listening session throughout the redesign process because UIOs are eligible for the TBH grant program through the Native Connections grant.
Background on the TBH Grant Program
The purpose of this program is to prevent and reduce suicidal behavior and substance use/misuse, reduce the impact of trauma, and promote mental health among American Indian and Alaska Native youth, up to and including age 24, by building a healthy network of systems, services, and partnerships that impact youth. In fiscal year 2023 and fiscal year 2024, 4 UIOs were awardees of the TBH grant program.
