Resolution 2021-08: Urgent need for a ‘High-level’ care’ residential living home for Alaska Natives that suffer from severe mental illness

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WHEREAS, Tanana Chiefs Conference (TCC) is an Alaska Native tribal health and social services consortium established by the Interior Alaska tribes and tribal communities, to provide a unified voice in advancing sovereign tribal governments through the promotion of physical and mental wellness, education, socioeconomic development and culture of the Interior Alaska Native; and

WHEREAS, Tanana Chiefs Conference is the healthcare organization that provides medical, behavioral, and mental health services in the Region; and

WHEREAS, Tanana Chiefs Conference currently provides housing to eligible clients at the Paul William’s House, a residential supportive living home for adults with a variety of psychiatric conditions. The level of care at the Paul William’s House does not meet the needs of all clients, as each client level of care need differs, and some clients need an intensive level of care coordination and case management; and

WHEREAS, for Disease Control and Prevention reported that overall American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) report higher rates of frequent distress-nearly 13% compared to nearly 9% of the general population; the findings suggesting that AI/AN experience greater psychological distress than the overall population in the United States; and

WHEREAS, Alaska Natives history with colonization, oppression, discrimination, the kidnapping of children, language, and traditions, has contributed to the significant representation among populations with high need for mental health care; and

WHEREAS, AI/AN have the second highest rate of homelessness in the United States.  The National Coalition for Homelessness estimates that 25% of homeless people have a severe mental illness; and

WHEREAS, The adults with severe mental illnesses are further divided into two subgroups: those with a persistent, disabling, psychotic disorder, a chronic mental illness, and those with a persistent, disabling, non-psychotic disorder, a severely emotionally disturbed adult; and

WHEREAS, There is a need for high-level care and coordination of services for the severely psychotic mentally ill to receive long term care to prevent the increasing numbers of homelessness in Alaska Native People.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Tanana Chiefs Conference Full Board of Directors direct TCC to partner with Interior tribal organizations that serve villages in the Region and other Interior Alaska Native entities and mental health facilities, Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority, including residential facilities to significantly expand and provide the level of care and coordination of AI/AN people that suffer from severe mental illness and need intensive coordination of care and case management including a residential facility that provides housing and other social support services; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that subject to the availability of funds, the TCC Full Board of Directors encourages and supports the individual and collective efforts of our Interior Alaska Native organizations to undertake a feasibility study, and deliberately align and maintain long-term initiatives to develop a ‘High-Level Care’ Residential Living Facility for those with severe needs that do not qualify for services at Paul William’s House, and/or need more intensive care than provided in that facility.

Submitted by: Healy Lake Village Council