Postpartum Doula Certification Training

Doula Billing

FREE virtual workshop will certify Postpartum Doulas with an emphasis on the protection and care of birthing persons and their newborns.
Presented by: Raeanne Madison, founder of Postpartum Healing Lodge
Date: March 17 & 18, 2026
Time: 8:30 AM-4:00 PM MST/PHX
Location: Inter Tribal Council of Arizona – 2214 N Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ

Cultivating Presence: Facilitation as Care, Clarity, and Collective Practice for Impactful Maternal Education

Doula Billing

FREE in-person training for facilitation skills and practice presented by Angelica Lindsey Ali “The Village Auntie”
Date: March 17 & 18, 2026
Time: 8:30 AM-4:00 PM MST/PHX
Location: Inter Tribal Council of Arizona – 2214 N Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ

Weaving Approaches to Tell Our Stories: Program Evaluation for Maternal Health

Doula Billing

FREE in-person training for Program Evaluation for Maternal Health presented by Angelica Lindsey Ali “The Village Auntie” & ITCA’s Tribal Epidemiology Center.
Date: March 24 & 25, 2026
Time: 8:30 AM-4:00 PM MST/PHX
Location: Inter Tribal Council of Arizona – 2214 N Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ

Empowering Doula Sustainability

Doula Billing

FREE in-person training for Doula programs new to Medicaid billing
Date: March 3 & 4, 2026
Time: 8:30 AM-4:00 PM MST/PHX
Location: Inter Tribal Council of Arizona – 2214 N Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ

Tribal Toolkit for Navigating Federal Grant Terminations

The Tribal Toolkit for Navigating Federal Grant Terminations was developed by the Coalition for Tribal Sovereignty (CTS) to assist Tribal Nations and Tribal organizations in navigating federal grants in an uncertain funding climate. This toolkit is equipped with five handouts to help Tribal Nations and Tribal organizations navigate specific areas of the grant management, termination, appeal, and closeout process accompanied by associated template materials for appealing and related advocacy. The handouts contain links to the relevant template materials. Each template has an instruction sheet for use. Please download review the instruction sheets first to help tailor and optimize the materials effectively for your individual needs. This information is intended only for informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. All Tribal Nations and Tribal organizations who use this toolkit are encouraged to consult an attorney for specific guidance

Gant Termination Toolkit

Environmental Quality Programs Spring 2026 Internship

The ITCA’s Environmental Quality Programs (ITCA EQP) Internship aims to develop a cadre of student leaders to pursue environmental quality and climate change-related professions upon completing their
undergraduate/graduate training program.
Intern activities may include, but are not limited to:

  • Participation in workshops and research focused on Federal Indian Policy and Environmental Policy.
  • Assisting ITCA’s Pesticide Program, Tribal Air Quality, Solid Waste Management, and Tribal Water Systems staff.
  • Participation in workshops focused on recent changes in climate change laws and policies, and its impact to Tribes.
  • Grant writing, researching methods for identifying grant opportunities, and the submittal process.
  • Exposure to non-profit organization operations, activities, and administrative duties.

March 2, 2021 Press Release

Click to Download

Policy Report: Preventing Maternal Mortality and Morbidity

Wide preventability gaps such as: systemic underfunding, poor access to culturally anchored care, and rural maternity care shortages, coupled with major data obstacles including under counting, racial misclassification, data aggregation and viewing this population as a “small numbers” population obscure the full scope of disparities, leading to policy blind spots. Five additional policy reports: “From Barriers to Bridges”, “Strengthening Maternal Health Data”, “Building Systems of Care”, and “Workforce Equity in Maternal Health”, can be found here under Public Health and Policy Resources.

Preventing Maternal Mortality and Morbidity

How Comprehensive Community Planning Helps Tribes

Planning can empower tribal governments to make informed decisions about issues in their tribes based on discussions with stakeholders in their community. It can ensure that issues are understood and that priorities can be agreed upon, and create an appreciation for how issues are related to each other. When tribal citizens participate in the government’s planning process, it can help a tribe to unify around a particular goal. A cohesive and unified tribal nation can foster a stronger environment for economic opportunities for all segments of its society.

How Comprehensive Community Planning Helps Tribes

Notice of RFP Cancellations

December 15, 2025

Notice of Cancellation – RFP Announcements

Inter Tribal Council of Arizona, Inc. Tribal Epidemiology Center (ITCA TEC)

The ITCA TEC is cancelling the two Requests for Proposals regarding the following two topics:

  • Artificial Intelligence (AI) Capacity Building Program
  • Cyber Security Data Protection Capacity Building Program

We thank all vendors for their interest and due to unexpected funding issues; however, these two Request for Proposal announcements are cancelled.

ITCA TEC is a program within a nonprofit organization, which relies on grant funding to carry out work within the communities that we serve. If any similar opportunities arise in the future, we will establish a new announcement. Again, we thank all vendors for their interest; however, the projects can no longer be funded.

ITCA TEC Logo

National Workgroup Summit for Personnel of Tribal Water & Wastewater Utilities, September 14-18, 2026, in Mesa, Arizona (Event ID #26014, in-person)

National Workgroup Summit for Personnel of Tribal Water & Wastewater Utilities, September 14-18, 2026, in Mesa, Arizona (Event ID #26014, in-person)

Includes:

  • Training for Personnel of Tribal Water/Wastewater Utilities
    • Utility Resilience Training Workshop
    • Source Water Protection Training Workshop
  • 2026 Operator of the Year Award Ceremony
  • Operator Certification Paper-Booklet Exam Session
  • Travel Expense Reimbursement Stipends Available

Meets: Monday through Friday (in-person)
Dates: September 14-18, 2026
Times: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. (local time)
Location: Mesa, Arizona

Description

Since 1983, the Tribal Water & Wastewater Utilities Workgroup meetings have been a forum for personnel of Tribal water and wastewater utilities to share ideas and concerns with peers, attend short training sessions, and contribute directly to the continuing development and planning of the certification, training, and technical assistance services provided by the Inter Tribal Council of Arizona, Inc. (ITCA).

As professional water/wastewater utility and environmental staff, your feedback is vital to maintaining the quality and effectiveness of the National Tribal Water & Wastewater Operator Certification Program at ITCA. You are encouraged to participate in the roundtable sharing session and bring ideas or suggestions to the meeting. The ITCA Program is your program and all input and suggestions are welcomed. The Tribal Water Utilities Workgroup meetings help ensure that these services are genuinely “by tribes and for tribes.”

Click here: Brochure & Registration Forms
Click here: Electronic Registration
Click here: Application for Certification and Need to Know Exam Criteria

Addressing Maternal Health Disparities in American Indian and Alaska Native Communities

American Indian and Alaska Native women face maternal mortality rates two to three times higher than white women, driven by systemic inequities and under-resourced care. Over 90% of these deaths—often linked to mental health and hemorrhage—were preventable, underscoring the urgent need for culturally competent, data-informed solutions.

Addressing Maternal Health Disparities in American Indian and Alaska Native Communities

The Need to Do More Than Screen

A Mother’s Story: Beyond the Checklist
Emily Johnson’s story sheds light on Postpartum Anxiety and suicidal thoughts and how screening alone isn’t alone isn’t enough. Her experience highlights the urgent need for invlusive, culturally responsive mental health care that truly supports all birthing people. Read her story.

A Mother’s Story: Postpartum Anxiety and Suicidal Thoughts and the Need to Do More Than Screen

Indian Health Service access and health insurance coverage associated with higher quality perinatal care among American Indian and Alaska Native people

A new School of Public Health study finds that perinatal care among AI/AN people is insufficient for many, but access to Indian Health Service care and health insurance coverage may help.

click here to learn more

Food Insecurity in Pregnancy, Receipt of Food Assistance, and Perinatal Complications

“In this cohort study, food insecurity in pregnancy was associated with a higher risk of perinatal complications, and these associations were overall attenuated to the null among individuals who received food assistance in pregnancy. These findings support clinical guidelines of screening for food insecurity in pregnancy and provide evidence to expand food assistance programs that may help improve maternal and neonatal outcomes.” See link for more information.

Food Insecurity in Pregnancy, Receipt of Food Assistance, and Perinatal Complications

Indigenous doulas helping Native moms take back their health after centuries of discrimination

“Now, organizations across North America are resuscitating the practice of Indigenous doulas. They’re training them to offer culturally safe, emotional and physical care, relying on traditional knowledge and reestablishing their place in the health care system: by the sides of Indigenous birthing women, where today’s doulas say they were always meant to be.” Read more below!
Indigenous doulas are helping Native moms take back their health after centuries of discrimination

National Indian Health Board Tribal Prenatal-to-Three Policy Agenda

The National Indian Health Board developed the Tribal Prenatal-to-Three Policy Agenda to raise
awareness regarding the most impactful and culturally appropriate policy levers and strategies
to support American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) health and wellbeing in the earliest years
of life, from the prenatal period through age 3. These recommendations chart a path forward to
health equity and improved outcomes for AI/AN families, infants, and toddlers.
2024 Tribal Prenatal-To-Three Policy Agenda

MHI Tribal Maternal Health Strategic Plan

ITCA_MaternalHealth_Secondary Logo_Black

In 2020, the Inter Tribal Council of Arizona, Inc. (ITCA), was contracted by the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) to develop a strategic plan in collaboration with tribal maternal health professionals. The Maternal Health Innovation program is funded nationally by HRSA and is designed to assist states in collaborating with maternal health experts and optimizing resources to implement state-specific actions that address disparities in maternal health and improve maternal health outcomes.

Program Purpose:

The purpose of the Maternal Health Innovation Program is to reduce maternal mortality and morbidity in American Indian communities in Arizona.

MHI Program Goals

  1. Improve maternal mortality and morbidity in Tribal communities
  2. Improve access to maternal health data surveillance
  3. Improve maternal health partnerships between tribal communities and the state

Strategic Plan Image

Maternal Health Resources

ITCA_MaternalHealth_Secondary Logo_Black

Related Resources for Further Learning

Toolkits

Social Media Toolkit
ITCA is pleased to provide a social media toolkit for tribal health programs to promote perinatal health in their communities. This is a living document that will be updated periodically as we add new information so check back often! There are also links to presentations on how to share maternal health research findings using social media.

Click here to access the social media toolkit

Disseminating Maternal Health Research Findings on Social Media

Practical Steps for Using Social Media to Improve Maternal Health Outcomes

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Pediatric Primary Care Toolkit

Pediatric Primary Care

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Implementing a Tribal Maternal Health Task Force Toolkit

PatientInfo

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Two-Spirit People: Sex, Gender & Sexuality in Historic and Contemporary Native America

Made by Harlan Pruden (Nehiyawe/First Nations Cree) and Seh-ah-dom Edmo (Shoshone-Bannock, Nez Perce, Yakama). This is a guide meant to provide a basic understanding of Two-Spirit People, their history, and a steppingstone to the Tribal Equity Toolkit for LGBTQIA+.

PatientInfo

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Tribal Equity Toolkit 3.0: Tribal Resolutions and Codes to Support Two Spirit & LGTBQ Justice in Indian Country

PatientInfo

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Indigenizing Love: A Toolkit for Native Youth to Build Inclusion

PatientInfo

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Youth Support

Connecting Native youth with valuable resources to support them in all walks of life.

PatientInfo

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Elements of a Healthy Tribal Community

Healthy Tribal Community

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Tribal toolkit for Navigating Federal Grant Terminations

Grant Termination Toolkit

2026 Tribal Public Health Conferences

The views expressed in written conference materials or publications and by speakers and moderators do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services, nor does the mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. government.

Upcoming National and Regional Conferences

 

Tribal Public Health Conference 2026; “The Vision for Generational Healing, Health, and Wellness”

 

National Tribal Health Conference 2026

Data Reports

CDC MM DataMaternal Mortality ReviewMarch of Dimes AZ Report March of Dimes US Report IHS MCH Program AZ Perinatal Trust AZ Tribal Needs Assessment ADHS Health Status Profile ADHS Health Status Profile ADHS Health Status Profile ADHS Health Status Profile ADHS Health Status Profile ADHS Health Status Profile ADHS 2024 Health Profile ADHS Health Status Profile SMM Report ADHS Health Status Profile ADHS Health Status Profile ADHS Health Status Profile <a

Tribal Maternal Health Steering Committee Meetings

The steering committee is composed of health care, community health, traditional healers, and other maternal health professionals who work with pregnant women and those of childbearing age in tribal communities across Arizona. Meetings are designed to share data, best practices, and new ideas to support pregnant people and their families. The Steering Committee also informs ITCA’s work on implementation of the Tribal Maternal Health Strategic Plan.

If you would like to participate in steering committee meetings, contact Wendell Honanie, Jr. at wendell.honanie@itcaonline.com.

Infographics

Funding for this was made possible (in part) by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The views expressed in written materials or publications and by speakers and moderators do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services, nor does the mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. government.

 

The ITCA Health and Human Services (HHS) has developed and distributed the infographics below to support tribal communities in responding to GHWIC tobacco topics. Tribes are welcome to download, print, and distribute these materials. Please contact ITCA HHS staff if you have any questions about the materials, if you’d like to add your Tribe seal to the infographic, if you want to request development of a infographic related to the GHWIC Strategy Areas, or experience any difficulty in downloading the files.

Tobacco

  • Electronic Smoking Devices

Electronic Smoking Devices

  • Smokeless Tobacco

Smokeless Tobacco

  • Pregnancy & Smoking

Pregnancy & Smoking

  • Secondhand Smoke & Children

Secondhand Smoke & Children

  • Diabetes & Smoking

Smoking & Diabetes

  • Heart Disease & Tobacco

Heart Disease & Tobacco

 

Consumer Alerts

Emergency Preparedness

Food Safety Information

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Things you Need to know

WATCH OUT FOR Spoofing SCAMS!!!

What is a Spoofing Scam?

A Spoofing scam is when a caller deliberately falsifies the information transmitted to your caller ID display to disguise their identity. Spoofing is often used as part of an attempt to trick someone into giving away valuable personal information so it can be used in fraudulent activity or sold illegally, but also can be used legitimately, for example, to display the toll-free number for a business.

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Medicare Open Enrollment 

 Protect Yourself from Marketing and Enrollment Fraud 

Watch out for people who:

  • Pressure you to join their plan
  • Tell you they represent Medicare and want to offer you a service for free
  • Call you or visit your house without your permission to offer services or equipment
  • Offer free consultations only to people with Medicare and ask for your Medicare number
  • Inform you that you will lose your Medicare benefits unless you sign up for a certain plan.

If you feel you have experienced marketing violations or enrollment fraud:

  • Save all documents or suspicious information (marketing materials, business cards, voicemails)
  • Contact your local Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP). You can visit www.smpresource.org or call 877-808-2468 to find your local SMP.

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2024 Open Enrollment Medicare coverage  for Part D is from October 15 to December 7.

During this annual enrollment period (AEP) individuals can make changes to various aspects of your coverage.

  • You can switch from Original Medicare to Medicare Advantage, or vice versa.
  • You can also switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another, or from one Medicare Part D (prescription drug) plan to another.
  • And if you didn’t enroll in a Medicare Part D plan when you were first eligible, you can do so during the general open enrollment, although a late enrollment penalty may apply.

If you want to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan, you must meet some basic criteria.

*If you are an American Indian /Alaskan Native and utilize Indian Health Services, You will need to know that Medicare Advantages plans are not accepted by your local IHS facility.

Auto-renewal is available

  • If you’re already enrolled in a Medicare Part D prescription plan or a Medicare Advantage Plan and you don’t want to make changes to your coverage for 2019, you don’t need to do anything during open enrollment, assuming your current plan will still be available in 2019.
  • If your plan is being discontinued and isn’t eligible for renewal, you would have received a non-renewal notice from your carrier prior to open enrollment. If you didn’t, it means you can keep your plan without doing anything during open enrollment.

Benefits and Premium changes for 2024

  • Be aware that your benefits and premium could be changing for 2024. So even if you’re confident that you want to keep your current coverage for the coming year, it’s important to make sure you understand any changes that may apply, and that you’ve double checked to make sure that your current plan is still the best available option. The available plans and what they cover changes from one year to the next, so even if the plan you have now was the best option when you shopped last year, it’s important to verify that again before you lock yourself in for another year.

* Medicare General Enrollment for Part A & Part B  is in January 1 – March 31 of every year 

When considering a Part D plan:

  • Does the plan cover all the medications I take?
  • Does the plan have restrictions on my drugs, such as prior authorization, step therapy, or quantity limits?
  • How much will I pay for monthly premiums and the annual deductible?
  • How much will I pay at the pharmacy for each drug I take?
  • Is my pharmacy in the plan’s preferred network?
  • Can I fill my prescriptions by mail order?
  • What is the plan’s star rating?

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Public Benefit Outreach Flyer