Pathway for a noble generation project: AAN datchxanx'i YAN deiyi an intergenerational healing and wellness project overarching goal: over the three-year project period, the douglas indian association…

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration awarded Douglas Indian Association $349,999 on September 30, 2026, to develop, implement, and sustain the Pathway for a Noble Generation Project, a culturally grounded, community-based system of care for youth ages birth to 25 in Juneau and Douglas, Alaska. The award funds the Center for Mental Health Services Projects of Regional and National Significance program (CFDA 93.532).

Douglas Indian Association will establish a comprehensive, culturally responsive system of care integrating Indigenous language, culture, wellness, and healing pathways. The project will engage a minimum of 210 youth and community members annually through coordinated prevention, wellness, and healing services. Within the first three months, Douglas Indian Association will convene a community of practice and advisory group including partner organizations, elders, youth, and community stakeholders to guide implementation; the group will meet monthly to review progress, identify emerging community needs, and recommend continuous improvements. The recipient will implement a capacity-building plan each project year providing professional development and culturally responsive training to strengthen organizational and community capacity.

Performance occurs in Juneau, Alaska, with a three-year period of performance ending September 29, 2029.

Pathway for a noble generation project: AAN datchxanx'i YAN deiyi an intergenerational healing and wellness project overarching goal: over the three-year project period, the douglas indian association (DIA), in partnership with collaborating organizations, will develop, implement, and sustain the pathway for a noble generation project: AAN datchxanx'i YAN deiyi, a culturally grounded, community-based system of care that integrates indigenous language, culture, wellness, and healing pathways. The project will develop a system of care that serves youth ages birth to 25 residing in the juneau and douglas communities while strengthening the health and well-being of individuals, families, and the broader community. The project through the newly developed SOC will engage a minimum of 210 youth and community members annually through coordinated prevention, wellness, and healing services. Goal 1: by the end of the three-year project period, douglas indian association and its collaborative partners will establish and sustain a comprehensive, culturally responsive system of care that provides coordinated wellness and healing services to at least 210 participants annually, resulting in increased access to culturally relevant supports and strengthened community collaboration. Objective 1: within the first 3 months of the project, douglas indian association will design and implement the pathway for a noble generation system of care by convening a community of practice and advisory group that includes partner organizations, elders, youth, and community stakeholders. The group will meet monthly (12 meetings annually) to guide project implementation, review progress, identify emerging community needs, and make recommendations for continuous improvement. Objective 2: each project year, douglas indian association will implement a coordinated capacity-building plan that provides professional development and culturally responsive training to at least 40 service providers and partner staff annually and 15 attending the tribal behavioral health professional development conference, increasing partner capacity to respond effectively to the wellness needs of youth, families, and the community. Objective 3: during each project year, douglas indian association will partner with the native wellness institute to facilitate one annual gathering of native americans (gona) serving at least 100 participants, providing opportunities for community healing, cultural connection, leadership development, and wellness planning. Objective 4: douglas indian association will implement and sustain the system of care approach throughout the project and continue to collaborate with partner organizations to support youth wellness into future years with continuing integration of new collaborative approaches and pathways to healing. Training will continue to be provided to care providers. Objective 5: develop a written blueprint for tribal behavioral health system of care expected outcomes: serve a minimum of 210 unduplicated youth, family members, and community participants through culturally grounded wellness programming in the geographic areas of juneau and douglas, alaska; train 40 providers and partner staff in culturally responsive system of care practices; convene 12 community of practice and advisory group meetings to guide implementation and continuous quality improvement; host one annual gona engaging at least 100 participants; strengthen community partnerships and establish a sustainable, culturally responsive system of care that continues beyond the grant period.