United American Indian Involvement

United American Indian Involvement, Inc. (UAII) will implement a Youth Suicide Prevention and Early Intervention Project, Red Hawk Project, targeting American Indian and Alaska Native children and youth (ages 10-24) in Los Angeles County. The goals of the program include:

1. The UAII’s Youth Suicide Prevention and Early Intervention Project will evaluate the existing service delivery system available to American Indian children and families in Los Angeles County through the input of key service providers and the American Indian community of Los Angeles County. This needs assessment will help describe services, identify access barriers, and assess the cultural appropriateness of services.
2. The Red Hawk Project will collaborate with other agencies, providers, and organizations to share information and resources by promoting awareness that suicide is preventable.
3. The project will develop a culturally appropriate youth suicide prevention and early intervention project. This level of intervention will include screening programs, gatekeeper training for “frontline” adult caregivers and peer “natural helpers,” support and skill building groups for at risk Indian youth, and enhanced accessible crisis services and referrals sources.
4. The Red Hawk Project will implement the public health approach to suicide prevention as outlined in the Institute of Medicine report, Reducing Suicide: A National Imperative. This approach focuses on identifying broader patterns of suicide and suicidal behavior, which will be useful in analyzing data collected and monitoring the effectiveness of services provided.