FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Maurice “Mo” Smith, Executive Director

MSmith@ncuih.org, (202) 544-0344

WASHINGTON, DC —The Indian Health Service, Office of Urban Indian Health Programs (OUIHP) has awarded a cooperative agreement to the National Council of Urban Indian Health (NCUIH) to act as an education and research partner for OUIHP and urban Indian organizations (UIO) funded under the Indian Health Care Improvement Act through public policy, research and data, structured training and technical assistance, and national representation. This program will support UIO to fulfill their mission to provide healthcare services to an estimated 80,000+ American Indian/Alaska Natives (AI/AN) in urban settings in 21 states and more than 100 counties across the country.

The new award will allow NCUIH to provide highly specialized and culturally competent education and capacity building services to the UIO. In alignment with its mission, NCUIH will work collaboratively with OUIHP and the UIO leadership to support the following four core programmatic activities: a) Policy and Legislation Education; b) Research; c) Training and Technical Assistance; and d) Marketing, Public Relations and Outreach.

“We are eager to continue our work in Indian Country, raising awareness surrounding the healthcare needs of the Native Community,” says NCUIH Board President Ashley Tuomi. “I am excited for this opportunity, to continue fostering relationships with those providing healthcare services to the community, and for the continued growth of NCUIH. This is a great time to improve our relationships with programs and to continue advocating for the health of our community.”

“The Indian Health Service looks forward to a continued partnership with the National Council of Urban Indian Health to enhance access to quality health care for the urban American Indians and Alaska Natives that we serve,” said Sherriann Moore, Director of the Office of Urban Indian Health Programs, Indian Health Service.

NCUIH is a national 501(c) (3) non-profit urban Indian organization devoted to the support and development of quality, accessible, and culturally competent health services for AI/AN living in urban settings. Its members include urban Indian organizations and providers across the country.

For more information go to www.ncuih.org.