Knik Tribe

Youth Support in Behavioral Health and Suicide Prevention Efforts - Connections Through Cultural Values- Suicide Intervention, Prevention & Recovery Knik Tribe Proposes “connections Through Cultural Values” an Intervention, Prevention & Recovery Program to Address the Impacts of Trauma, Lack of Mental Health Support, Youth Suicidal Behavior, and Substance Abuse in Alaska's Matanuska-susitna Borough. We Will Conduct a Year-long Assessment and Planning Process, Followed by Four Years of Indicated Services Implementation as Designated by the Community-driven Plan of Action. Very Importantly, We Will Utilize the Guiding Principles That Our Ancestors Followed and This Opportunity to Also Develop Youth Leaders in Our Community. the Youth Are Our Most Valued Resource, and Often Overlooked When Native Communities Are Seeking Leadership and Courage. Our Program Will Be Working With Families and the Community to Build Resilience and Enhance the Protective Factors Within the Community. Much of This Project Will Address Prevention Through the Awareness of Adverse Childhood Experiences, Social and Emotional Learning, and Holding Each Other Accountable for Interactions With Youth. This Application Is Seeking Support to Increase Universal Prevention Through Intergenerational Activities and Mentoring That Will Embrace Our Youth Within the Cultural Values of the Alaska Native People, and to Build the Capacity to Carry Out the Indicated Prevention Efforts. Youth Who Have Already Experienced Adverse Life Issues Are at Higher Risk of Escalating Risk as They Transition Into Adulthood. Our Programming Will Address and Promote and Support the Community’s Desire to Ensure That Our Youth Are Held Up and Encouraged as They Mature and Become the Future Leaders of the Tribe. Information Ascertained Through the Community Assessments Will Become Our Baseline Information About the Population and Provide Qualitative and Quantitative Data That Will Inform Our Programming and Inform Our Program Measurement of Intended Outcomes. Our Action Plan and Corresponding Evaluation Strategies Will Proceed in Terms of Three Related Goals: Our First Goal Is to Assess Community Needs, Readiness, and Resources to Address Suicidal Behavior, Substance Abuse, Trauma, and Mental Health Among Ak/ai Youth Residing in Alaska's Matsu Valley to Inform Strategic Planning for Implementation. Our Second Goal Is to Build the Youth Leadership Capacity and Infrastructure to Meet Such Needs and to Create and Foster Protective Opportunities to Prevent Suicidal Behavior, Substance Abuse, and Trauma Among Local An/ai Youth, and Promote Their Mental Health. Our Third Goal Is to Implement and Improve Existing Services, Supports, and Educational Activities to Prevent Suicidal Behavior and Substance Abuse, Reduce the Impacts of Trauma, and Promote Healing and Mental Health Among An/ai Youth and Young Adults and in the Participating Communities.