Community of Learning
Participants can expect the following:
• National updates
• Web-based Training on selected topics
• Peer Support
• Information and Access to Tools and Resources
• Information and Technical Support for funding opportunities
• Opportunities to provide input into National Policy/ Legislation recommendations affecting Urban Indian prevention and treatment
• Participation as Trainers/Presenters on topics of expertise
Culturally Ad hoc Learning for urban Native Americans
In 2009, NCUIH created a learning model that promotes quality, accessible health care for urban American Indian and Alaska Natives. This model was the culmination of over 12 years of technical assistance, outreach, and policy-maker education, and it is solution-focused and community driven to promote sustainable capacity-building for Urban Indian Health Programs around the country.
What is a Community of Learning (CoL)?
NCUIH’s Communities of Learning arepeer-to-peer workforce support groups guided by technical specialists to create culturally appropriate and relevant trainings and technical assistance for Urban Indian Health Care leaders, professionals, and paraprofessionals—supporting quality health care delivery to urban American Indians and Alaska Natives.
Dynamics
The Community of Learning is coordinated by the National Council of Urban Indian Health to provide information, training, tools, peer support, resources, and updates on funding opportunities that support Native health, wellness, treatment, and recovery support initiatives within urban communities. The CoL operates in virtual classrooms that have the capability for staff and leadership from Urban Indian programs throughout the nation to gather online to receive knowledge on best practices; conducting training webinars; share strategies and solutions to challenges; and request individual and peer-to-peer support. NCUIH utilizes SharePoint, which has the ability to organize and categorize all materials into folders available 24/7 to UIHPs via password protected sites. These activities are directly linked to the current needs within the urban Indian health system to build knowledge and best practices to support UIHP replication nationally.
Participants can expect the following:
• National updates
• Web-based Training on selected topics
• Peer Support
• Information and Access to Tools and Resources
• Information and Technical Support for funding opportunities
• Opportunities to provide input into National Policy/ Legislation recommendations affecting Urban Indian prevention and treatment
• Participation as Trainers/Presenters on topics of expertise
Eliminating Cultural Challenges
The Communities of Learning model is a best practice for UIHPs, as they eliminate mistrust caused by lack of cultural, social, and economic understanding of urban AI/AN populations. The trainings also incorporate practice- based and evidence-based methods, thus bridging traditional methods with scientific methods. UIHPs are able to generate their own knowledge and best practices to suit their needs, which also results in the generation of new data. To learn more about how the NCUIH Communities of Learning address challenges in a culturally appropriate fashion and to visit NCUIH’s CoL Page at our Knowledge Resource Center
Board of Directors Community of Learning
Leadership and governance trainings remain an identified need for UIHP boards and executive directors. The Board of Directors CoL is focused on providing tailored assistance to the board’s needs, which, in turn, supports the organizational structure of their programs. Current activities include: Regional Board of Director’s trainings, Webinars focused on self-assessments, effective meeting strategies, and advisory boards and youth councils.
Executive Directors Community of Learning
UIHP directors and staff require assistance on programmatic organization and development processes to increase effectiveness and efficiency. Through this CoL, UIHP EDs and CEOs are able to generate their own knowledge and best practices to suit their needs, which also results in the generation of new data. Current activities include: Webinars focused on building management teams, handling challenging employees, and best practices of staff recruitment, screening, and hiring.
Affordable Care Act/Enrollment (starting in Fall 2015)
This CoL addresses the need to create increased ACA awareness and knowledge within urban Indian communities and organizations, specifically about the most current changes and modifications to ACA/enrollment processes and regulations as well as assisting with national ACA/Enrollment initiatives in Urban Indian communities.
Accreditation Community of Learning (starting in Fall 2015)
NCUIH is prepared to support a new Community of Learning focused on accreditation and Primary Care Medical Home certification for the UIHPs. Information on the requirements, cost, and best practices in supporting an accreditation site review will be covered, along with practical resources in building capacity to meet core standards. It is expected that the majority of participants will be interested in AAAHC (Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care), as this is the primary national accrediting body that UIHPs have utilized based on relevant service provision.
Diabetes Community of Learning (starting in Fall 2015)
This CoL group will be devoted to sharing tools and knowledge to support Urban Indian Health Program staff in implementing strong Diabetes prevention, treatment, and recovery support services to the urban Indian population. http://portal.ncuih.org/diabetes_col
Behavioral Health Community of Learning (starting in Fall 2015)
NCUIH is excited to continue its Behavioral Health CoL for Urban Indian Health Programs across the country to meet and discuss ideas and topics in a Behavioral Health-specific forum. http://portal.ncuih.org/behavioralhealth_col .
Archived Materials on Past COLs
