Social Wellness & Substance Abuse

Supporting Community Connections for American Indian Community Members

The Sacramento County Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) has awarded to CRIHB the Supporting Community Connections (SCC) for American Indian Community Members in Sacramento County. The goal of this contract is to expand services by providing cultural/ethnic specific and age specific outreach activities and support services targeting Sacramento County Communities. CRIHB will provide these services for the American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) individuals in Sacramento County. The contract term is January 3, 2012 through June 30, 2014.

CRIHB will conduct a survey for suicide prevention strategies that best meet AIAI community members and the appropriateness of a phone support service as an effective strategy.  In addition, we will create a media campaign bringing awareness to this important issue through print ads, posters, rack cards, social media, and digital storytelling. We will convene three training sessions including a Gathering of Native Americans (GONA) during each contract year.

We are very excited about this opportunity to outreach to community members, service providers, and to provide culturally appropriate training for quality service delivery, thereby reducing stigma and improving access to services. For more information about this project, please contact Deborah Kawkeka, Social Wellness Coordinator at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

SCC Survey for AIAN in Sacramento County:

• Identify needs & resources
•  Readiness to address the problem
• Assess risk factors & protective factors
• Appropriateness of hot line and/or warm line services
• Develop strategy to:
  • Address gaps in knowledge about suicide and suicidal behavior
  • Improve referral to service for at risk individuals
  • Improve quality of service provision for AIAN individuals
• Media Campaign
  • Culturally sensitive social marketing prevention posters, rack cards, etc
  • Digital storytelling
  • Social media outreach
• Trainings
  • Gathering of Native Americans (GONA)
  • Peer to Peer 
  • Cultural competency for programs serving AIAN population in Sacramento County
  • Suicide awareness, intervention and prevention
  • Mental Health First Aid