On September 11, 2017, representatives from the Methamphetamine and Suicide Prevention Initiative (MSPI) and Domestic Violence Prevention Initiative (DVPI) projects across Montana and Wyoming met in Billings to share stories of their projects, connect with each other, and gain insight from their Area Project Officer and Rocky Mountain Tribal Epidemiology Center (RMTEC) data support consultants.

 

The work in Billings Area emphasizes collaboration not only between all the different programs, but between the RMTEC data support team and the IHS Program Officer.

 

The day began with a blessing of tobacco from Mike Geboe, one of the staff of the Center for Health Education, Equity, and Research (CHEER) who assists with data consultation on behalf of RMTEC. Featured speakers throughout the day included Ms. Dorothy Dupree, IHS Area Director, who spoke of the importance of centering cultural practices in programs and sharing with each other what is learned. Elsie Joe, Area Project Officer, provided guidance on programmatic forms and reports. Dr. Anne Merewood, Director of CHEER, provided a presentation encouraging grantees to think critically about what “evidence-based” means and why it’s important to establish new evidence base from native country for native use. Kirsten Krane, Program Manager with CHEER, reviewed the Local Data Collection Plan (LDCP) and introduced tools to help track the data for the LDCP throughout the year. Mike Andreini, Director of RMTEC, closed the day with words of encouragement.

Programs shared insights with each other about their individual programs and initiatives throughout the day.

Billings Area MSPI and DVPI grantees assembled for a group photo at the Meeting on Sept 11, 2017.

Kirsten Krane leading LDCP discussion at Billings Meeting on Sept 11, 2016 with Billings Area MSPI and DVPI grantees.

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