Special Diabetes Program for Indians (SDPI)

In response to the disproportionately high rate of type 2 diabetes in American Indians and Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities; Congress in 1997, passed the Balanced Budget Act establishing the SDPI as a grant program for the prevention and treatment of diabetes at a funding level of $30 million per year for five years. After extensive Tribal consultation, the Indian Health Service (IHS) distributed the funding to over 300 IHS, Tribal and Urban AI/AN health programs. In 2001, Congress increased the amount of SDPI funding to $100 million per year, and then again increased it to $150 million per year from 2004-2009. In 2008, Tribes and Tribal partners advocated for reauthorization of the SDPI funding and as a result of their hard work, Congress reauthorized the program for an additional two years (2010 - 2011) at the current level of $150 million per year.

The SDPI funds have allowed implementation of nearly 400 programs and enhanced diabetes care and education in AI/AN communities, establishing innovative and culturally appropriate strategies to combating the diabetes epidemic.

 

USET Diabetes Program

USET works in collaboration with 20 of its member tribes in conjunction with the Special Diabetes Program for Indians (SDPI). This collaborative effort was initiated in 1997 and will continue through 2011. USET is the primary funding agency to the tribes in the Nashville Area of Indian Health Service, making this a unique funding process for the SDPI in Indian Country.

• Collaborative administration of the Indian Health Service funded Special Diabetes Program for Indians.
• Technical assistance in the areas of diabetes, diabetes education, and program management.
• Technical assistance specifically related to the Special Diabetes Program for Indians.
• Advocacy for diabetes issues for American Indians/Alaskan Natives.
• Timely dissemination of diabetes and diabetes prevention information.

Tribes Served

The USET Diabetes Program serves 19 of the 25 USET member Tribes. The Tribes are located in 12 different states, starting in Maine, south to Florida and west to eastern Texas.

Alabama Coushatta Tribe of Texas                                 Oneida Indian Nation

Chitimacha Tribe of Louisiana                                         Passamaquoddy Tribe-Indian Township

Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana                                           Passamaquoddy Tribe-Pleasant Point

Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians                                    Penobscot Indian Nation

Jena Band of Choctaw Indians                                        Poarch Band of Creek Indians

Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation                                Seminole Tribe of Florida

Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida                            St. Regis Mohawk Tribe

Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians                              Tunica-Biloxi Indians of Louisiana

Mohegan Tribe of Connecticut                                        Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head

Narragansett Indian Tribe          

Tribes that apply/administer their own SDPI programs:

Aroostook Band of Micmac Service Unit

Catawba Service Unit

Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians

 

For more information please contact Dianna Richter, Diabetes Consultant at dianna.richter@ihs.gov