Scholarship Program for Native Americans to Create Pipeline of Mental Health and Substance Abuse
Professionals in North Dakota
- American Indian College Fund and United Health Foundation partner to create solutions
to substance abuse and opioid crisis
- Program to include scholarships, mentoring, academic support, job training and research
opportunities
The American Indian College Fund, in partnership with United Health Foundation, has launched The United Health Foundation Tribal
Wellness Scholarship Program to create a pipeline of mental health and substance abuse professionals in North Dakota to serve
remote and rural communities.
This pilot scholarship program, funded through a $360,000 grant from United Health Foundation, will help individuals, families
and communities affected by substance abuse to rebuild their lives and ensure their tribal heritage and traditions are passed along
to the next generation.
The United Health Foundation Tribal Wellness Scholarship Program will include scholarships, mentoring, academic support, job
training and research opportunities. A cohort of 12 Native American students from North Dakota pursuing degrees in recovery-related
fields will receive educational support, with six awards designated for associate degree candidates and six for students seeking a
bachelor’s or master’s degree.
This program was discussed at a recent event at the Cankdeska Cikana Community College in Fort Totten. The event, attended by
North Dakota Sen. Heidi Heitkamp, highlighted the need for holistic solutions to address substance abuse within Native American
communities.
“As tribal communities face the ongoing opioid and meth crisis, it’s critical that we improve access to high-quality health care
on North Dakota reservations, including behavioral health services and addiction treatment,” said Sen. Heitkamp. “Through this new
program, the American Indian College Fund and the United Health Foundation are demonstrating the importance of training the next
generation of health care professionals in the fight against addiction in rural communities and Indian Country. I look forward to
following the program’s progress as we work together to put more tribal members on a path to long-term recovery.”
“Substance abuse has devastated communities in North Dakota. All of us know people who have been affected by it,” said Cheryl
Crazy Bull, president and CEO of the American Indian College Fund. “Expanding access to culturally relevant treatment is an
important step forward. Together, we can improve our society and build a better world.”
Finding suitable drug treatment within a reasonable travel distance in primarily rural North Dakota is a challenge. While the
rate of drug deaths is lower in North Dakota than in the nation overall, the drug death rate in the state is rising sharply. In the
past three years, North Dakota drug deaths increased 90 percent, according to the 2017 America’s Health Rankings report.
“The people of this community said the biggest issue we have is the lack of resources to address addiction,” said Dr. Cynthia
Lindquist, president of Cankdeska Cikana Community College, a tribal college serving the Spirit Lake Dakota Community in North
Dakota. “There is much work to be done, but everything we do today builds a better tomorrow. This new partnership is bringing forth
new opportunities for our people.”
“Thousands of Americans are dying across the country from addiction and opioid abuse, and people living in rural areas often
suffer more due to the lack of easily accessible health care,” said Martha Temple, CEO of Optum Behavioral Health, a UnitedHealth
Group company. “We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with the American Indian College Fund to support the training and
education of tomorrow’s health care professionals who will bring quality care to people who need it most.”
About the American Indian College Fund
Founded in 1989, the American Indian College Fund has been the nation’s largest charity supporting Native higher education for more
than 28 years. The College Fund believes “Education is the answer" and provided 6,548 scholarships last year totaling $7.6 million
to American Indian students, with more than 125,000 scholarships totaling over $100 million since its inception. The College Fund
also supports a variety of academic and support programs at the nation’s 35 accredited tribal colleges and universities, which are
located on or near Indian reservations, ensuring students have the tools to graduate and succeed in their careers. The College Fund
consistently receives top ratings from independent charity evaluators, and received a four-star rating from Charity Navigator and
is one of the nation’s top 100 charities named to the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance. For more information about the
American Indian College Fund, please visit www.collegefund.org.
About the United Health Foundation
Through collaboration with community partners, grants and outreach efforts, the United Health Foundation works to improve our
health system, build a diverse and dynamic health workforce and enhance the well-being of local communities. The United Health
Foundation was established by UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH) in 1999 as a not-for-profit, private foundation dedicated to improving
health and health care. To date, the United Health Foundation has committed nearly $358 million to programs and communities around
the world. We invite you to learn more at www.unitedhealthgroup.com/SocialResponsibility
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American Indian College Fund
Dina Horwedel, 303-430-5350
dhorwedel@collegefund.org
or
United Health Foundation
Jenifer McCormick, 952-936-1917
jenifer_mccormick@uhg.com
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