Albuquerque area indian health board 988 tribal response project - aaihb 988 tribal response project the 988 tribal response project is a collaboration between a tribal serving organization, the…

The Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration awarded the Albuquerque Area Indian Health Board Inc. $1.5 million on September 30, 2026, under the 988 and Behavioral Health Crisis Services Programs (CFDA 93.00R) to improve connection and response to 988 crisis contacts among tribal communities in the Albuquerque area.

The 988 Tribal Response Project establishes formal partnerships between the Albuquerque Area Indian Health Board and six federally recognized tribes in rural New Mexico and southern Colorado — Mescalero Apache Tribe, Ramah Navajo, To'hajiilee Navajo, Southern Ute Indian Tribe, Isleta Pueblo, and Zuni Pueblo — to create critical linkages with existing 988 crisis centers and the New Mexico and Colorado 988 Lifeline Centers. The project addresses persistent barriers to behavioral health services in geographically isolated rural communities with limited crisis stabilization services, mobile crisis teams, and behavioral health providers. Workforce shortages, transportation challenges, and privacy concerns reduce access to care in communities with median incomes of $24,190 annually and populations ranging from 1,567 to 5,864. The target region experiences elevated suicide rates: 26.2 deaths per 100,000 American Indian and Alaska Native residents in New Mexico and 17.3 per 100,000 in Colorado. The initiative delivers culturally competent crisis response services that honor tribal sovereignty, strengthening the continuum of crisis care across both states for American Indian and Alaska Native populations.

Performance period runs through September 29, 2029. Work is performed in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Albuquerque area indian health board 988 tribal response project - aaihb 988 tribal response project the 988 tribal response project is a collaboration between a tribal serving organization, the albuquerque area indian health board, INC. (aaihb), and six albuquerque area indian health service (IHS) area tribes - mescalero apache tribe, ramah navajo, to'hajiilee navajo, southern UTE indian tribe, isleta pueblo, and zuni pueblo. All six communities are federally recognized tribes located in rural new mexico and southern colorado. The total population for these communities' ranges from 1,567 - 5,864 with a median age of 38.7 with half of the population being female. The median income across all six communities is $24,190 annually. In new mexico (NM) the suicide rate for AI/an population is 26.2 deaths per 100,000 residents whereas colorado's AI/an population suicide rate is 17.3 per 100,000 residents. Many tribal communities are in rural and geographically isolated areas where behavioral health providers, crisis stabilization services, and mobile crisis teams are limited. Workforce shortages, transportation challenges, and concerns regarding privacy and confidentiality further reduce access to behavioral health services. The aaihb 988 tribal response project is therefore sorely needed in our region and will aim to dismantle these persistent barriers and fill the existing void in services by creating critical linkages between tribes and existing 988 crisis centers to ensure AI/ANS have ready access to culturally competent services that honor tribal sovereignty. Creating a formal partnership with the new mexico and colorado 988 lifeline centers will strengthen the continuum of crisis care for tribal communities across the two states. The overarching purpose of the aaihb 988 tribal response project is to improve connection and response to 988 contacts among tribes in our service area. Aaihb proposes to achieve this aim by, at a minimum,: 1) providing culturally responsive training to new mexico and colorado 988 crisis center staff, 2) developing a communication strategy to increase awareness of 988 services, referral connections, and tribal resources, and 3) facilitating collaborations with tribes, health care providers, tribal organizations, and other first responders to enhance 988 linkages and referral pathways for crisis response in a manner that respects tribal sovereignty. Developing stronger referral tracking and collaboration between 988 lifeline centers and tribal behavioral health programs will help ensure that AI/an individuals in crisis are connected to culturally grounded services and receive ongoing support beyond the initial crisis contact.