Public Health Nursing

Public Health Nursing (PHN) patient care coordination activities aim to serve the patient and family in the home and in the community. Preventative health care informs populations, promotes healthy lifestyles, and provides early treatment for illnes

The Indian Health Service Public Health Nursing (PHN) Program is a community health nursing program that focuses on the goals of promoting health and quality of life, and preventing disease and disability. The PHN Program provides quality, culturally sensitive health promotion and disease prevention nursing care services through primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention services to individuals, families, and community groups. Program funds provide critical support for direct health care services in the community, which improve Americans' access to health care. The PHN Program supports population-focused services to promote healthier communities through community based nursing services, community development, and health promotion and/or disease prevention activities. The PHN Program promotes the establishment of program plans based on community assessments and evaluations to prevent disease, promote health, and implement community based programs. There is an emphasis on screening, home visits, immunizations, maternal-child health care, elder care, chronic disease, school services, health promotion and disease prevention, case management, population-based services, and community disease surveillance. The PHN Program is available to support transitions of care from the clinical setting into the community with an emphasis on the clinical, preventive, and public health needs of American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities.

Federally recognized Indian Tribes as defined by 25 U.S.C. 1603(14). The term "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 (85 Stat. 688) [43 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.], which is recognized as eligible for the special programs and services provided by the United States to Indians because of their status as Indians. Tribal organizations as defined by 25 U.S.C. 1603(26). The term "Tribal organization" has the meaning given the term in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304(1)): "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. Applicant shall submit letters of support and/or Tribal Resolutions from the Tribes to be served. Urban Indian organizations, as defined by 25 U.S.C. 1603(29). The term "Urban Indian organization" means a nonprofit corporate body situated in an urban center, governed by an urban Indian controlled board of directors, and providing for the maximum participation of all interested Indian groups and individuals, which body is capable of legally cooperating with other public and private entities for the purpose of performing the activities described in 25 U.S.C. 1653(a). Applicants must provide proof of nonprofit status with the application, e.g., 501(c)(3).

The Public Health Nursing program will help nurses improve overall health in American Indian and Alaska Native Tribal communities by raising awareness among families and individuals of preventative health practices, supporting disease prevention, and controlling activities of comorbid conditions.

Federal funding for this program may be used to fund medical personal engaged in the nursing process - assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation - to improve health outcomes within Indian Country through a case management model with the Public Health Nurse as the case manager.

The project period is limited to 5 years or less, with specific lengths listed in the initial notice of funding opportunity in the Federal Register. Within the project period, a continuation application must be submitted annually on a noncompetitive basis for each year of support. Funding is placed into the grantee's account in the Payment Management System each year after submission of a successful application. Grantee is able to draw funds from this account as needed.

You may not e-mail an electronic copy of a grant application to Indian Health Service.

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 by an objective committee, and selection by the program office, a Notice of Award is prepared and processed, along with appropriate notification to the public.

Renewals at the end of the period of performance are managed through a competitive process involving a new Notice of Funding Opportunity published in the Federal Register, and a new application submitted under similar guidelines and requirements as the original award.