About Tribal Affairs
Community Health Plan of Washington employs a full-time Tribal Affairs Administrator who represents CHPW in various settings involving Tribal Government Partners, Indian Health Care Providers (IHCP), and pertinent community and state agencies.
The role focuses on developing and guiding a strategic framework that upholds Tribal Sovereignty and incorporates cultural considerations when implementing organizational plans, programs, and policies within CHPW.
Additionally, it ensures that CHPW meets agency contractual expectations related to Tribal Affairs.
Tribal Health Care
CHPW acknowledges that the treaties signed by Tribal leaders under duress almost 200 years ago include the promise of health care. Therefore, CHPW’s work is not only a service but a responsibility.
For members who identify as Native American or Alaska Native, their care will be covered regardless of whether they choose to see a Tribal Health provider or one of our network providers. There are 29 federally recognized tribes in Washington, each with its own unique identity, and every American Indian or Alaska Native individual experiences their culture differently. Respecting cultural identity lies at the heart of our community-driven approach to care.
Links:
- Accessing Tribal health care
- CHPW Tribal health care benefits
- How to enroll with CHPW
- Land acknowledgement
- Native health resources
Outreach/Community Engagement
Sponsorships
Sponsorships are support of an organization’s events, programs, services and/or mission for the benefit of individuals and populations served by our health plans (CHPW) and network (CHNW).
Sponsorships are just one way that CHPW furthers its many goals with community partners in providing access to and delivery of quality whole person care.
2024 Sponsorships:
- Adeline Garcia Awards Gala-Seattle Indian Health Board
- Cowlitz Tribe Behavioral Health Conference
- Elders Support & Services-South Puget Sound Intertribal Planning Agency
- Health Heart Powwow-The NATIVE Project
- Indigenous Peoples Festival-Seattle Indian Health Board
- Elders/MMIWP/Veterans Gathering- Unkitawa
Training and Education
CHPW focuses on facilitating cultural training on state-Tribal intergovernmental relations, Tribal Sovereignty, Indian health care systems, and related programs, as well as federal and state requirements concerning Tribes, protocols, IHCPs, and AI/AN enrollee rights and options. These trainings are made possible through the assistance of the Tribal Affairs Administrator as an internal subject matter expert.
Internal staff training is required annually for staff to learn about American Indian and Alaska Native culture. It takes a deeper dive into Tribal sovereignty, historical trauma, and its long-term effects.
Internal departmental training provides an opportunity to meet the Tribal Affairs Administrator, discuss barriers and challenges, and gain a deeper understanding of Tribal Health as it relates to our members and their communities.
External training is provided to Indian Health Care Providers and community based-organizations by providing them with a compressive overview of all CHPW LOB’s, services offered, resources, billing guidelines and contact information.
