The Tri-Ethnic Center for Prevention Research at Colorado State University developed a model to assess community readiness. CRM is a tool that helps a community assess its readiness to address specific issues, such as substance abuse, suicide prevention, and behavioral health concerns (e.g., teen tobacco use, juvenile delinquency, or school attendance). The CRM is used to develop strategies that help Tribal members gain a realistic understanding of their needs before setting goals. Communities are encouraged to select and implement interventions based on their readiness stage. CRM is a critical component of Tribal Action Planning and Strategic Action Planning.

DSW modernizes oral storytelling with multimedia. Our three-day course teaches participants to script, combine images, voice, music, and video into a three- to five-minute story. The workshop ends with post-production and a film festival. DSW serves youth, prevention workers, Native Veterans, elders, and individuals with health challenges, offering an effective healing tool.

GONAs/GOANs are a prevention curriculum that draws on Indigenous values, practices, and trauma-informed principles. Organizations, communities, and Tribes can use the GONA/GOAN framework for community healing, action planning, and youth engagement. We help the community harvest local knowledge and tailor services to community needs and challenges, identifying solutions to move forward in a good way.

Through our in-depth work with federal agencies and grantees, we understand grant requirements and help grantees meet their goals and objectives. Tribal Tech’s grantee support experience includes but is not limited to the following:

Native Connections (NC) (for current NC grantees only): Tribal Tech has supported the SAMHSA Native Connections grant program since its inception in 2015. We provide training on Community Systems Analysis, the Community Readiness Model, and Strategic Action Plan development and implementation. We also provide grantees with an in-depth review of the Native Connections Approach.

Circles of Care (CoC) (for current CoC grantees only): To assist grantees, Tribal Tech uses the Systems of Care (SOC) framework. CoC grantees receive support in several areas, including advisory board engagement and development, conducting community assessments, assistance with developing and implementing a community-based systems of care approach, network and allocation activities, orientation and ongoing training on the systems of care approach, policy development, and data collection approaches.

The TT TA Center provides a three-day training within an AI/AN cultural context for providers who support communities in addressing various types of grief and loss. We examine the impact that historical and other forms of trauma can have on an individual and the community. We discuss the stages of grief, the role of support in the grief journey, grieving a specific loss, and the role of social media in grieving.

The TT TA Center has staff certified in various suicide prevention curricula:

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Training: MHFA teaches individuals to recognize and respond to signs of mental illness, substance use, or suicidal ideation in various settings. Participants learn how to offer initial support during a crisis. Tribal Tech's certified instructors deliver MHFA for youth, adults, Tribes, and veterans through the National Council for Mental Wellbeing.

Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) Training: Attendees learn to recognize the warning signs of suicide and to respond to someone who may be contemplating suicide. This course takes approximately 60-90 minutes to complete and can be delivered virtually or on-site.

Talk Saves Lives Training: The Talk Saves Lives suicide prevention course provides information on common risk factors and warning signs of suicide. Attendees gain an understanding of suicide risks and what they can do in their communities to save lives. The 45-60-minute training can be offered both virtually and in person.

SAP development and implementation can effectively launch a program or initiative that aligns with the community’s readiness, incorporates culturally relevant approaches, and maximizes available resources. It provides a detailed outline of the steps and tasks to help a community stay on track to achieve its long-term objectives. Tribal Tech guides clients using data collection tools that inform planning and evaluation.

TAP is a community-driven approach based on Tribal strengths, resources, needs, and challenges, supporting self-determination. It addresses issues like alcohol and substance abuse, helps coordinate local resources, and guides federal support to meet prevention and treatment goals. TAP training includes Asset and Resource Mapping to assess the strength of the community’s social support network and resources.