KAI supports SAMSHA’s Tribal Training and Technical Assistance Center (TTTAC) to provide comprehensive Broad, Focused, and Intensive training and technical assistance (TTA) to federally recognized tribes and other AI/AN communities, seeking to address and prevent mental and substance use disorders and suicide and to promote mental health. We designed a culturally relevant, evidence-based, holistic approach to support Native communities in their self-determination efforts through infrastructure development, capacity building, and program planning and implementation.

KAI provides virtual and on-site TTA support for tribal grantees across the United States. Our subcontract supports tribal communities in preventing and reducing substance abuse and suicidal behavior among AI/AN youth up to age 24. The TTA is designed to allow AI/AN communities to support youth and young adults as they transition into adulthood by facilitating collaboration among agencies and equipping them with culturally appropriate resources.

Under a SAMHSA subcontract through Macro International, KAI convened AI/AN trainers and facilitators from across the United States to develop a collaborative culture-based prevention curriculum called GONA in 1992. This has been one of the most widely used, broadly adapted, and efficient gathering formats for conducting local TTA and prevention planning. KAI was the principal author of the curriculum, working in close collaboration with myriad trainers.

Under a contract with SAMHSA, KAI designed and implemented a national strategy for the prevention of substance abuse, violence, bullying, and suicide. This emergency contract was initiated after the tragic school shooting on the Red Lake Reservation in Minnesota, specifically to identify tribal communities most at risk and to recruit them into an intensive engagement to plan and implement prevention strategies. More than 65 tribal communities were engaged in this Intensive TTA program.

Under a contract with SAMHSA Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP), KAI designed and implemented this national TTA resource center for AI/AN communities. The Center provided on-site and virtual TTA to tribes and to regional and national organizations serving Indian Country.

Under contract with SAMHSA, KAI developed and provided TTA for AI/AN CoC grantees locally and through national convenings. Our team worked closely with SAMHSA to bring subject matter expertise to grantees to address the systems of care across communities, partnership building, family support, and advocacy.