The Bureau of Indian Education has awarded an additional five-year contract for its Behavioral Health and Wellness Program which helps students and staff at bureau-funded schools and programs.
Created during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Behavioral Health and Wellness Program provides “culturally relevant, evidence-based, and trauma-informed behavioral health and wellness services” to bureau-funded institutions, the program’s website said. Virtual counseling and on-site crisis services are also available.
“Our schools play an important role in the lives of students, faculty and staff, and Tribal communities,” Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs Bryan Newland said in a press release. “By providing these resources, we will help our students and BIE team succeed inside the classroom. Even more importantly, we will help promote the mental and physical wellbeing of entire communities.”
Native American-owned Tribal Tech LLC was awarded the additional five-year contract, the release said. Tribal Tech is a management and technical services company, its website said.
“The Interior Department is committed to creating positive, safe and culturally-relevant learning environments,” U.S. Department of the Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, said in the press release. “I am proud of the hard work by the Bureau of Indian Education to ensure that Indigenous youth have the support they need in a culturally-relevant and supportive environment for their physical, mental and emotional well-being.”
The program will include behavioral health counseling through virtual visits. There will also be a 24/7 crisis hotline and onsite crisis support, the news release said.
“Virtual and onsite crisis support will provide a comprehensive and systemic approach to assisting individuals or groups with critical incidents or traumatic events,” the release said. “Virtual services provide a way to overcome challenges such as limited onsite providers, minimal transportation options, long wait times, and limited scheduling options for caregivers.”
Training will be available for staff to learn about suicide prevention and resiliency-focused topics.
