The challenge

SAMHSA’s Tribal Training and Technical Assistance Center supports federally recognized Tribes and other American Indian and Alaska Native communities in promoting mental health and preventing mental and substance use disorders and suicide. The work spans Broad, Focused and Intensive training and technical assistance, plus optional tasks for the Tribal Technical Advisory Committee, Gathering of Native Americans (GONA) and Gathering of Alaska Natives (GOAN) events, and specialized support for Centers for Mental Health Services, Centers for Substance Abuse Treatment, and Circles of Care grantees.

Demand is continuous. Communities need onsite and virtual technical assistance, multi-day GONA events, intensive capacity-building support, data collection under GPRA, information dissemination, and logistics for advisory committee meetings. The risk is losing continuity and cultural relevance on work that Tribes and Native organizations depend on for prevention, recovery and community wellness.

What we do

Red Creek Solutions supports SAMHSA by delivering comprehensive Broad, Focused and Intensive training and technical assistance, using a culturally relevant, evidence-based, holistic approach that supports Native communities in their self-determination efforts through infrastructure development, capacity building, and program planning and implementation.

The operating standard is the same one used across Red Creek Solutions: identify the need and target the solution, then stay close enough to the client and the communities to exceed expectations. Work is reported monthly, tracked against the Plan of Performance, and adjusted in real time based on community readiness and SAMHSA direction.

Results

Our team has delivered on hundreds of onsite and virtual TTA requests across Indian Country. Cumulatively in the current option year to date, the team has conducted more than 65 onsite days reaching nearly 5,000 participants, while maintaining full reporting, data collection and advisory committee support. Intensive TTA continues with multiple communities advancing Community Readiness Assessments, planning site visits, and developing prevention infrastructure. Monthly reports, questionnaires, follow-up reports and TTAC meeting logistics have stayed on schedule, with no significant issues reported.

The portfolio has stayed in motion: Broad and Focused TTA continue on cadence, Intensive communities receive sustained support, and GONA events are planned and delivered. The result is continuous, culturally grounded capacity building that helps Native communities strengthen mental health and substance use prevention on their own terms.

Resources

  • SAMHSA Tribal Affairs SAMHSA’s own hub for Tribal affairs: programs, funding and resources for Tribes and Native communities.