Building a Strong Relationship
with Tribal Leadership
Susan Karol, MD, FACS
Chief Medical Officer, IHS
Learning Objectives
• List at least two strategies that IPC teams have utilized
to effectively engage their Tribal Leaders in the
transformational work of IPC occurring at their facility.
• Identify common communication challenges of
communication efforts with Tribal leadership and discuss
successful and/or identify potential mitigation efforts for
dealing with those identified challenges.
• Develop an effective communication approach or build
upon existing approaches towards sharing meaningful
information and progress updates about IPC, between
the facility and Tribal Leaders so they remain actively
engaged.
IHS Priorities
• Renew and strengthen our partnership
with Tribes
• Bring reform to the IHS
• Improve the quality of and access to care
• Ensure that our work is transparent,
accountable, fair, and inclusive
IHS Priorities
• Renew and Strengthen our Partnership with
Tribes
– Current consultation in progress regarding
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
How to improve the tribal consultation process
How to improve Contract Health Services (CHS)
Priorities for health reform/IHCIA implementation
FY 2013 Budget
VA – IHS MOU implementation
How to improve the IHCIF – Data/Formula
SDPI extension and distribution
TEC data sharing agreement
IHS Priorities
• Renew and Strengthen our Partnership
with Tribes continued:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Topics for upcoming consultations
Facilities construction
Long-term care
Improving quality
Area listening sessions
Tribal delegation meetings
Tribal organizations, advisory groups/workgroups
Discussion Topics
• How do you currently communicate with
Tribal leadership?
• What has been successful and what has
been challenging?
• Can you think of any mechanisms or
approaches to mitigate the challenges?
Discussion Topics
• Can you think of additional opportunities or ways
for interaction and interface?
• How could you improve the current approaches
to be more meaningful and valuable to all?
• What kind of information do you think would be
of interest to Tribal leaders?
• What kind of feedback would you like to receive
if possible?
Division of Behavioral Health:
Successful Partnerships
• National Tribal Advisory Committee
(NTAC) key roles:
– Provide recommendations and advice
•
•
•
•
Behavioral health issues
Funding allocations
Programs
Long term strategic plans
Division of Behavioral Health:
Successful Partnerships
• Behavioral Health Working Group: Key
Roles:
– Provide technical advise to DBH
– Advise on Agency Priorities
– Advise and recommend programs, services,
and intervention models
– Assist with long-term strategic planning
– Collaborate with NTAC
Division of Behavioral Health:
Successful Partnerships
• Methamphetamine and Suicide Prevention
Initiative (MSPI)
• Domestic Violence Prevention Initiative
(DVPI)
Tribal Leaders Diabetes Committee
(TLDC): A Successful Partnership
• Began in 1997
• Initially consulted on how to distribute
grant funds
• Active for 14 years
• Ongoing dialogue between IHS and Tribal
leadership on diabetes-related health
issues
TLDC: A Successful Partnership
•
•
•
•
•
Clear expectations
Mutual honesty re what is “on the table”?
Representation on TLDC
Considered “true” tribal consultation
TLDC Charter
TLDC: A Successful Partnership
• Key TLDC roles include:
– Leadership in the Tribal consultation process
regarding funds distribution
– Building awareness about diabetes in AI/AN
– Educating Congress
– Information to Area Tribes
– Guidance to IHS and other Agencies to assure
cultural values are incorporated
– Defining a role for states
– Building new partnerships with Agencies and national
organizations: HRSA, CDC, NIH, AHRQ, USDA, ADA
AADE, JDRF
TLDC: A Successful Partnership
• Key IHS roles include:
– Encourage SDPI grantees to contact local
TLDC representative
• To share stories and progress
• Share information
• Get assistance with challenges
– Provide SDPI resources to TLDC members
– Provide logistical support for TLDC members
THANK YOU!