Indian Health Service Community Health Aide Program

The Indian Health Service (IHS) Community Health Aide Program (CHAP) consists of several funding programs designed to help Tribes and Tribal Organizations (T/TO) improve access to health care in their respective communities. The national CHAP provid

The Indian Health Service Community Health Aide Program (CHAP) has two separate funding vehicles. The Tribal Assessment and Planning program is designed to support the assessment and planning of Tribes and Tribal Organizations in determining the feasibility of implementing the CHAP in their respective communities. The Tribal Planning and Implementation program supports the final planning and implementation of Tribes and Tribal Organizations that are positioned to begin operating a CHAP.

Federally-recognized Indian Tribes as defined by 25 U.S.C. 1603(14), and Tribal organizations as defined by 25 U.S.C. 1603(26) may apply for this program. "Indian Tribe" means any Indian Tribe, band, nation, or other organized group or community, including any Alaska Native village or group, or regional or village corporation as defined in or established pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 1601 et seq). "Tribal organization" means the recognized governing body of any Indian Tribe, any legally established organization of Indians which is controlled, sanctioned, or chartered by such governing body or which is democratically elected by the adult members of the Indian community to be served by such organization and which includes the maximum participation of Indians in all phases of its activities: provided that, in any case where a contract is let or grant made to an organization to perform services benefiting more than one Indian Tribe, the approval of each such Indian Tribe shall be a prerequisite to the letting or making of such contract or grant.

Federal assistance is to be used to study the feasibility of implementing CHAP in the applicant community, or to plan and implement a CHAP within the applicant's Tribal health system.

The project period is limited to 2 years or less, with specific lengths listed in the initial notice of funding opportunity on the Federal Register. Within the project period, a continuation application must be submitted annually on a noncompetitive basis for each subsequent year of support.

The selection criteria are: Statement of problem(s) requiring solution; need for assistance; results or benefits expected from the project; approach or soundness of the applicant's plan for conducting the project; key personnel and their capability to carry out the project; and adequacy of management controls. Consideration will be given to the demonstrative aspects of the project and the compatibility of the project with the overall goals and objectives of the Indian Health Service.

After review and approval, a Notice of Award is prepared and processed, along with appropriate notification to the public.

Renewals at the end of the project period are handled through a competitive process involving a new Notice of Funding Opportunity published in Grants.gov, and a new application submitted under the same guidelines and requirements as the original award.