PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: April Hale at ahale@nihb.org

National Indian Health Board Awarded $261,000 in
COVID-19 Response Grants 
WASHINGTON, DC—December 22, 2020—In response to the coronavirus pandemic, the National Indian Health Board (NIHB) supported 40 Tribes and Tribal organizations through mini-grants totaling around $261,000 to aid in their local COVID-19 responses. 

NIHB awarded $181,000 in mini-grants to 19 Tribes in amounts up to $10,000 each to assist with building capacity and responding to telehealth services and needs during the COVID-19 pandemic. The funding came from the Johns Hopkins University Center for American Indian Health as part of the national Nicholas Kristof C-19 Impact Initiative. With funding from the Indian Health Service, NIHB awarded $30,000 in COVID-19 Tribal School Readiness Mini-Grants to 15 Tribes and Tribal organizations to strengthen school preparation and readiness for safe operations during the coronavirus pandemic. In addition, NIHB also allowed sub-awardees in the Strong Systems, Stronger Communities; Climate Change; and Tobacco Cessation projects to redirect previously awarded funds in the amount of approximately $50,000 to work on COVID-related projects. 

“The National Indian Health Board works toward the highest health outcomes for American Indian and Alaska Native people. One way we do this is to partner with Tribes and Tribal organizations,” said NIHB CEO, Stacy A. Bohlen. “NIHB understands that Tribes are using every possible resource to respond to the virus and protect their community members. They know the best ways to help their communities. We stand ready to assist – whether it is through mini-grants, resources or advocacy – NIHB is an organization for the Tribes.”

Telehealth and School Readiness mini-grant sub-awardees used the funding for materials and equipment acquisition, facilities improvement, infrastructure enhancement, outreach and education, prevention activities, training, technical assistance and evaluation and assessment. 
NIHB Telehealth Grant Awardees

Colusa Indian Community Council
Fort Independence Community of Paiutes of the Fort Independence Indian Reservation
Kickapoo Tribal Health Center
Maniilaq Association
Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians
Modoc Nation
Oneida Nation
Pascua Yaqui Tribe
Pawnee Nation
Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe
San Carlos Apache Tribe
Santo Domingo Pueblo
Sierra Tribal Consortium, Inc.
Squaxin Island Tribe
The Mohegan Tribe of Indians of Connecticut
Tuba City Regional Health Care Corporation
Yakutat Tribal Health Board
NIHB COVID-19 Tribal School Readiness 
Awardees

Greenville Rancheria Tribal Health
Native Village of Eyak
Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate
The STAR School
Te Tsu Geh Oweenge School
Passamaquoddy Tribe
St. Croix Tribal Head Start
White Earth Head Start
Rosebud Sioux Tribe Health
Chilkat Indian Village
Chinle Chapter Government
Blackfeet Community College
Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe
Southern Ute Indian Tribe
Swinomish Indian Tribal Community
For more information about NIHB’s public health programs, visit https://www.nihb.org/public_health/public_health.php. 
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Established by the Tribes to advocate as the united voice of federally recognized American Indian and Alaska Native Tribes, NIHB seeks to reinforce Tribal sovereignty, strengthen Tribal health systems, secure resources, and build capacity to achieve the highest level of health and well-being for our People.
National Indian Health Board | www.nihb.org | 202-507-4070
Visit the NIHB COVID-19 Tribal Resource Center at:

Reach the NIHB COVID-19 Response Team, contact cwheeler@nihb.org
For media inquiries, contact April Hale at ahale@nihb.org