Chap-TPI - IHC will utilize a diverse team of fourteen TPI staff to design a workforce development program and continue internal and external stakeholder collaborations that include partners such as…

The Department of Health and Human Services Indian Health Service awarded Indian Health Council Inc. $624,267 on July 1, 2026, under the Indian Health Service Health Management Development Program (CFDA 93.228) to design and implement a Community Health Aide Program workforce development initiative spanning clinical infrastructure, training, technology systems, and program evaluation.

IHC, a federally qualified health center serving nine federally recognized tribes across a 1,800 square mile service area in Northern San Diego County, California, will deploy a 14-person team to advance six program goals. Goal 1 addresses clinical infrastructure and healthcare delivery access. Goal 2 focuses on Community Health Aide Program workforce development and integration. Goal 3 establishes a training infrastructure plan enhancing educational opportunities for prospective health aides through continuing education and clinical practice. Goal 4 identifies and develops technology infrastructure supporting health aide mobility and service delivery. Goal 5 encompasses Electronic Health Records for All (ECHAM) review and education for integrating new Community Health Aide Program provider types into IHC's existing OCHIN Epic EHR system and implementation. Goal 6 covers program evaluation and strategic sustainability planning.

IHC will engage diverse internal and external stakeholders including CHAP subject matter experts, academic partners from local collegiate and high school institutions, the internal CHAP Community Advisory Board, and CHAP Champions. The effort prioritizes investing in local and tribal community members as future healthcare professionals through strategic workforce pathways, mentorship, hands-on experience, and training designed to strengthen healthcare access and community trust in tribal communities.

Period of performance runs from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2029, with place of performance in California.

Chap-TPI - IHC will utilize a diverse team of fourteen TPI staff to design a workforce development program and continue internal and external stakeholder collaborations that include partners such as chap subject matter experts, academic partners, including existing local collegiate and high school partners, and internal chap community advisory board and chap champions. IHC goals, workplan, timeline, and evaluation plan demonstrate the plan to achieve the following: goal 1: clinical infrastructure & clinical operations: increase healthcare delivery & access goal 2: chap workforce development and integration goal 3: training infrastructure: develop a training plan to enhance training opportunities available to prospective health aides, including continuing education and clinical practice. Goal 4: technology infrastructure: identify & develop a technology infrastructure plan for the mobility and success of health aides in anticipation of providing services goal 5: system integration: echam review and education for implementation of new chap provider types into IHC's existing ochin epic EHR system & go live goal 6: program evaluation & strategic/sustainability planning IHC plans to contribute to a broader movement toward more responsive, equitable, and culturally informed healthcare systems. Through strategic workforce pathways, mentorship, training, and hands-on experience, IHC aims to secure a future where patients see themselves reflected in the healthcare workforce, where care extends beyond clinic walls, and tribal communities have the infrastructure, leadership, and capacity necessary to shape healthier futures for generations to come. IHC's chap prioritizes investing in local community members and tribal members as future healthcare professionals, creating a long-term workforce strategy that strengthens both healthcare access and community trust. By cultivating a healthcare workforce that reflects the culture, values, and lived experiences of the population served, chap aims to improve health outcomes while creating lasting community impact beyond the grant period.