Clinical Operations Technical Assistance Office Hours with James Spillane
2025-02-19 13:00 - 16:00 (America/Chicago) | Virtual Event
The USET Office of Tribal Public Health (OTPH) is pleased to announce that starting January 15th we will be holding regular virtual office hours with James Spillane and OTPH Data Improvement Staff to offer technical assistance on a variety of healthcare related topics: GPRA, EHR, RPMS, iCARE, workflow management, and the Patient-Centered Medical Home model/accreditation. Please mark your calendars and feel free to drop by during these times.
When: The third Wednesday of the month at 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm Central/2:00 pm – 5:00 pm Eastern
Who should attend: USET member Tribal Nations Health Directors and Clinical Staff
Learning Objectives: These office hours are a great opportunity to discuss any questions, requests, or concerns you or your clinical staff may have regarding:

GPRA
EHR
RPMS
iCARE
Workflow Management
Patient-Centered Medical Home Model/Accreditation.

Registration: Registration is not required.
Join via Zoom: Zoom link
Questions: Please contact Hailey Wade, USET Public Health Planning & Infrastructure Program Manager, at hwade@usetinc.org.

Tribal Public Health Preparedness and Resilience Task Force Meeting
2025-03-04 12:00 - 12:30, 2025-04-01 12:00 - 12:30 | Virtual Event
The USET Tribal Public Health Preparedness and Resilience Task Force (Tribal PHPR) is a Tribally centered epidemiological approach to public health preparedness and resilience with the primary goal of strengthening the resilience of Tribal Nations in the USET region through public health strategies focused on the mitigation, prevention, and preparation phases of the disaster management cycle.  The goal of this Task Force is to build relationships between Tribal Nations in the USET region and the USET Epidemiology team! Join the contact list today to start receiving updates.
Date: The first Tuesday of every month at 12:00 pm – 12:30 pm Central / 1:00 pm – 1:30 pm Eastern

Who Should Attend?

Tribal Leaders and Tribal Council Members
Health Directors, Physicians, Medical Staff, Behavioral Health Professionals, Public Health Nurses
Emergency Response/ Coordination Personnel, Homeland Security Personnel
Emergency Services Personnel, First Responders, Public Safety Personnel
Epidemiologists, Data Specialists
Risk Management Personnel, Community Planners
Environmental Health Staff, Public Works Personnel
Anyone interested in Public Health Preparedness and Resilience

Registration: Register today for the zoom meeting.
Questions: For questions, please contact Anna Garrett, USET Senior Epidemiologist at agarrett@usetinc.org or Samantha Rieche, USET Program Coordinator at srieche@usetinc.org.

Clinical Operations Technical Assistance Office Hours with James Spillane
2025-03-19 11:00 - 14:00 | Virtual Event
The USET Office of Tribal Public Health (OTPH) is pleased to announce that starting January 15th we will be holding regular virtual office hours with James Spillane and OTPH Data Improvement Staff to offer technical assistance on a variety of healthcare related topics: GPRA, EHR, RPMS, iCARE, workflow management, and the Patient-Centered Medical Home model/accreditation. Please mark your calendars and feel free to drop by during these times.
When: The third Wednesday of the month at 11:00 pm – 2:00 pm Central/12:00 pm – 3:00 pm Eastern
Who should attend: USET member Tribal Nations Health Directors and Clinical Staff
Learning Objectives: These office hours are a great opportunity to discuss any questions, requests, or concerns you or your clinical staff may have regarding:

GPRA
EHR
RPMS
iCARE
Workflow Management
Patient-Centered Medical Home Model/Accreditation.

Registration: Registration is not required.
Join via Zoom: Zoom link
Questions: Please contact Hailey Wade, USET Public Health Planning & Infrastructure Program Manager, at hwade@usetinc.org.

2025 USET Tribal Utility Summit
2025-03-31 - 2025-04-02 | Wind Creek Casino and Resort, 303 Poarch Road, Atmore, AL, 36502, United States
The USET Office of Environmental Resource Management presents the
2025 Tribal Utility Summit

The USET Office of Environmental Resource Management is pleased to announce our 15th Tribal Utility Summit (TUS), which is being hosted by the Poarch Band of Creek Indians at the Wind Creek Casino and Resort in Atmore, AL. We look forward to seeing you there!
The Tribal Utility Summit is an opportunity for Tribal Nation utility professionals to enhance skills and knowledge in managing and operating their systems. Attendees can also network with their peers and learn about industry innovations, products, technologies, and services.

When
Monday, March 31, 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
Tuesday, April 1, 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
Wednesday, April 2, 8:00 am – 12:00 pm
*All times are Central.

Where

Wind Creek Casino and Resort
303 Poarch Road
Atmore, AL 36502
To book your room at the discounted rate, call (866) 946-3360 and mention room block code: USET Tribal Utility Summit. The room rate is $89 for a single king room and $109 for a double queen room plus 8% tax.

Who should attend: All USET member Tribal Nation Utility professionals, Tribal Leaders, Environmental professionals, Emergency Management Services professionals, Laboratory Technicians, Finance, Planners, and Economic Development staff, as well as vendors, federal agency partners, and educational partners.

Agenda

Attendees will receive:

Federal regulatory updates
Infrastructure development resources
USET resources
Vendor information on equipment
Networking opportunities
Educational opportunities
Benchmarking
Budgeting and Planning
Workforce Retention
Funding opportunities
Cyber Security

Register: Registration is now open.

Stipends: Travel stipends are available to USET member Tribal Nation staff on a limited basis, subject to available funds. All travel stipends must be approved in advance by USET. Stipends will be made payable to the USET member Tribal Nation and not the individual participants. Please complete the online stipend application to initiate your request.

Continuing Education Credits: Continuing education units will be issued pending approval from USET’s Certification Board.
Operator Exam Request: USET will offer proctored operator examinations onsite for Tribal citizens and utility staff who wish to obtain certification at an advanced operator level or in an alternative category. Requests for participation will be accepted until Friday, March 14. There is no cost associated with this opportunity. Review sessions, including a math component, are available upon request. For more information, please contact Jason Sockbeson (jsockbeson@usetinc.org).

Meeting App

Download the USET/USET SPF Events app from your app store. Then within the app search for USET 2025 Tribal Utility Summit. Download the event to the app. You can use it to stay up to date with the latest news and announcements, create your schedule, view all agendas, and connect with attendees.
If you have used the app for a previous USET meeting, you will need to exit that event. Click on your profile, go to settings, and click “exit the event” at the bottom of the screen. Then search for USET 2025 Tribal Utility Summit and download the event to your app.

Open the app in Google Play
Open the app in the Apple Store

USET/USET SPF Safe Public Health Practices Policy for All USET/USET SPF Meetings
While the COVID-19 pandemic is behind us, the lessons learned during this time remind us of the importance of maintaining proactive and precautionary health measures. Moving forward, USET/USET SPF remains committed to fostering safe and healthy environments for all members, staff, and event attendees by applying general public health best practices. The USET Tribal Epidemiology Center (USET TEC) is a designated public health authority and encourages all attendees to adopt general health measures to protect themselves and others, such as:

Staying home when feeling unwell.
Washing hands frequently and thoroughly.
Practicing respiratory etiquette (e.g., covering coughs and sneezes).
Remaining aware of potential health risks and staying informed about public health updates.

For questions, please contact Jane Wilson, USET OERM Program Manager, at jwilson@usetinc.org.

USET OERM Virtual Trainings: Learning About Lead In Drinking Water - Elevated Lead Levels
2025-04-10 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-05-22 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-06-12 13:00 - 14:00 | Virtual Event
The USET Office of Environmental Resource Management presents
the Learning About Lead In Drinking Water –
Elevated Lead Levels Virtual Trainings
USET’s Office of Environmental Resource Management’s (OERM) Lead Reduction Team is partnering with subject matter experts to share remediation activities that address elevated lead levels in drinking water. We are aware that some Tribal Nations are unclear about elevated lead level response planning. The EPA 3Ts modules (training, testing, and taking action) provides guidance to remove lead from drinking water and encourages short-term and long-term remediation ensuring safe drinking water at Tribal schools, daycares, and other common children’s gathering places. This training will cover remediation activities from flushing to service line replacement. We encourage Tribal leaders, health and environmental officials, and educators to attend this training.
Lead is a naturally occurring heavy metal that is globally recognized as a substance that has serious health consequences if consumed, especially for children. The adverse health effects range from lowered birth weight and slowed physical and mental development in infants, to lowered IQ levels, impaired hearing, reduced attention span, and poor classroom performance in young children. Clean and safe water is essential and paramount to building a sustainable economy, successful educational and public health systems, and most importantly, a healthy and productive environment for children. Please join us for these informative conversations.

When:

April 10 at 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm Central/2:00 pm– 3:00 pm Eastern
SME: Michael Celona and Alex Smith-Lin, Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection: Bubbler Replacement
Topic: Training – “Massachusetts’ Efforts to Address Lead in Drinking Water at Schools and Childcare Facilities”
May 22 at 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm – Central/2:00 pm – 3:00 pm Eastern
SME: Dr. Jason Barrett, Associate Extension Professor, Associate Director, Mississippi State University: Filters and fixture replacement
June 12 at 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm /2:00 pm – 3:00 pm Eastern
SME: Kathy Rodgers, General Manager, The Water Office: Lead line replacement

Who should attend: Tribal Leaders, Health Directors, clinic staff, educators, environmental officials, and Tribal utility staff

What: Participants will learn about:

Strategic guidance for sustainable remediation planning and implementation
Strategic community engagement and outreach planning
Federal funding opportunities that support corrective action activities
U.S. EPA 3Ts “Taking Action” module training
How service line inventories can expedite the replacement of hazardous service lines composed of lead

Registration:
Registration is open.

Key Speakers Information:
Michael Celona is the Capacity Coordinator in the MassDEP Drinking Water Program, where he oversees the implementation of the Water-Smart Program for Lead in Drinking Water at Schools and Childcare Facilities. He has been with MassDEP since 2019 after spending 20 years at the MA Department of Public Health. He has degrees in Environmental Science and Environmental Policy
Alexander Smith-Lin is the Program Coordinator for the Mass DEP Water-Smart Program. In coordination with the University of Massachusetts Amherst, this program offers free lead testing for schools and childcare facilities throughout the state. His duties include reviewing applications for sampling, communicating with Public Water Systems and School Officials about results and follow-up, and developing and implementing outreach strategies. He has been with the Program for 5 years since graduating from UMass Amherst with degrees in Marketing and Sport Management.
Dr. Jason R. Barrett is originally from Bobo, MS, a small farming community south of Clarksdale, MS. He now resides in Starkville, MS with his wife and four kids. Jason began his Mississippi State University Extension career as a graduate assistant in the Food and Fiber Center. Dr. Barrett went on to work for the Agricultural Economics Department as an Extension Associate and furthered his career as an Extension Instructor and then an Assistant Extension Professor with the Center for Government and Community Development (GCD). Now, he is an Associate Extension Professor and Interim Director with the Mississippi Water Resources Research Institute where he specializes in public utilities (water and wastewater), private well education and screening, and leading the Mississippi Well Owner Network. He also leads the Lead Testing in Schools and Childcare Centers Program for Mississippi. Other research interests include the finance and economic development factors associated with water and wastewater utilities.
Kathy Rodgers is the owner of The Water Office, LLC, which provides water operations, consulting and project management services in New England. In 2024 Kathy Rodgers and her team at The Water Office, LLC completed over 100 service line inventories for public water systems in Maine, including 4 Tribal systems. To ensure compliance was achieved with the Lead and Copper Rule Revision for Lead Service Line Inventory (LCRR LSLI), Kathy and her team developed outreach materials and utilized many tools to complete the inventories including: GIS mapping of service connections, onsite digitization and review of historical records, website publication of the LCRR LSLI results and data capture method for ongoing updates to ensure the accuracy of data. From operating to advocating, Kathy has held a wide range of roles in the water industry since 2005. Kathy earned a B.S. in Chemistry and a Master’s in Business Administration from Southern Illinois University – Carbondale and holds Class I water treatment and distribution licenses in Maine, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island.

Questions:
For more information, please contact USET’s Lead Program team:
Jakira Saunders, Program Manager
Ben Peyton, Senior Technical Assistant Specialist

USET Office of Economic Development Webinar: Financial Literacy for Building Generational Wealth
2025-04-22 13:00 - 14:30 | Virtual Event
Join the USET Office of Economic Development for an essential webinar designed to highlight the importance of financial literacy in fostering generational wealth within Tribal communities. Attendees will learn how to promote financial education, access resources to build local financial literacy programs, and understand the impact of financial literacy on long-term economic growth.
When: April 22 at 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm Central/2:00 pm – 3:30 pm Eastern
Who Should Attend: USET/USET SPF member Tribal leaders, Economic development practitioners, Tribal financial advisors, and Tribal fund managers
Attendees Will Learn:

How to advocate for and implement financial literacy programs in their communities.
Resources and tools available to help create sustainable financial education initiatives.
The role of financial literacy in promoting generational wealth and long-term economic stability.

Draft Agenda
Registration: Register today.
Questions: For questions, please contact Rebecca Naragon, USET Office of Economic Development Director, at rnaragon@usetinc.org.

RESCHEDULED: Clinical Operations Technical Assistance Office Hours with James Spillane
2025-04-23 11:00 - 14:00 | Virtual Event
The April 16 session has been rescheduled to April 23.
The USET Office of Tribal Public Health (OTPH) is pleased to announce that starting January 15th we will be holding regular virtual office hours with James Spillane and OTPH Data Improvement Staff to offer technical assistance on a variety of healthcare related topics: Social Determinants of Health, GPRA measures, EHR templates and reminders, RPMS, iCARE panels, workflow management, and the Patient-Centered Medical Home model and accreditation. Please mark your calendars and feel free to drop by during these times.
When: The third Wednesday of the month at 11:00 pm – 2:00 pm Central/12:00 pm – 3:00 pm Eastern
Who should attend: USET member Tribal Nations Health Directors and Clinical Staff
Learning Objectives: These office hours are a great opportunity to discuss any questions, requests, or concerns you or your clinical staff may have regarding:

Social Determinants of Health
GPRA measures
EHR templates and reminders
RPMS
iCARE panels
workflow management
Patient-Centered Medical Home model and accreditation

Registration: Registration is not required.
Join via Zoom: Zoom link
Questions: Please contact Hailey Wade, USET Public Health Planning & Infrastructure Program Manager, at hwade@usetinc.org.

USET OERM Webinar Series | Reducing Lead in Tribal Communities
2025-04-24 13:00 - 14:00 | Virtual Event
The USET Office of Environmental Resource Management presents
the Reducing Lead in Tribal Communities Webinar Series
On October 8th, the Biden-Harris Administration issued its final rules of the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI). The LCRI has committed federal funding to make sure that all communities have safe, clean drinking water. USET’s Office of Environmental Resource Management (OERM) Lead Reduction Team has invited subject matter experts (SMEs) to share challenges, accomplishments, and the processes they are using to help them address potential lead contamination and reduce any risks by using the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) 3Ts for Reducing Lead in Drinking Water in Schools and Child Care Facilities guidance.
Lead is a naturally occurring heavy metal that is globally recognized as a substance that has serious health consequences if consumed, especially for children. The adverse health effects range from lowered birth weight and slowed physical and mental development in infants, to lowered IQ levels, impaired hearing, reduced attention span, and poor classroom performance in young children. Clean and safe water is essential and paramount to building a sustainable economy, successful educational and public health systems, and most importantly, a healthy and productive environment for children. Please join us for these informative conversations.

When:

January 23 at 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm Central/2:00 pm – 3:00 pm Eastern
SME: Ginny De La Cruz, Program Manager, Arizona Department of Health Services
Topic: Training – “Applying the 3TS approach in Arizona: A focus on Training”
February 13 at 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm Central/2:00 pm – 3:00 pm Eastern
SME: Holly Thompson Duffy, Environmental Health Science Manager, Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board
Topic: Testing – “Utilizing the EPA 3Ts to Test Drinking Water for Lead at Schools and Childcares”
April 24 at 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm Central /2:00 pm – 3:00 pm Eastern
SME: Ben Peyton, Senior Technical Assistance Specialist, United South and Eastern Tribes, Inc
Topic: Taking Action – The Road to Remediation

Who should attend: Tribal Leaders, Health Directors, clinic staff, Tribal Utility Staff, Environmental Directors and staff, Education Administrators, and anyone in the Tribal community would like to learn about the EPA’s 3Ts for Reducing Lead in Schools and Child Care Facilities.

What:

Learn about each module of the EPA’s 3Ts from subject matter experts from across the country;
Hear about the challenges our SMEs overcame while building out a lead reduction program;
See how federal funding can be used to test drinking water for lead in schools and childcare facilities;
Gain valuable knowledge of the EPA’s 3Ts program and how it can provide long term health benefits to Tribal communities.

Registration:
Register today

Key Speakers Information:
Ginny De La Cruz is an experienced public health professional with seven years of service at the Arizona Department of Health Services. Her work has spanned various areas, including skin cancer prevention, foodborne illness investigations, and currently, lead poisoning prevention. Ginny is the Program Manager for both the Arizona Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program, and the Lead Testing in Drinking Water Program for Arizona Schools and Child Care Facilities.
Holly Thompson Duffy is an Environmental Health Science Manager with the Portland Area Indian Health Board where she manages projects focused on reducing environmental health risks in the 43 member Tribal Nations it serves. In addition to providing core environmental health services, Holly manages the “Voluntary School and Childcare Lead Testing and Reduction Grant” which serves the 43 federally recognized tribes in WA, ID and OR. Prior to this she served for nine years as an Environmental Protection Specialist with the Portland Area Indian Health Service, managing an interagency agreement with the EPA to reduce the health risks of pests and pesticides by educating and empowering communities to use Integrated Pest Management (IPM). While there she also served as the technical lead on a project to collect valuable data on children’s exposures to lead, allergens, pesticides, and PCBs in Tribal childcare facilities. Holly is looking forward to sharing her experiences of environmental sampling in Tribal communities!
Ben Peyton is the Senior Technical Assistance Specialist for USET’s OERM Lead Reduction Program. He received his degree in geology at Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio in 2010 and has an extensive background in EPA compliance and groundwater sampling. He has brought his sampling experience to USET so that he can help ensure Member Nation communities that no child will ever have to suffer from lead exposure via drinking water. He is dedicated to his work and understands that reliably safe drinking water in paramount for all communities to have.

Questions:
For more information, please contact USET’s Lead Program team:
Jakira Saunders, Program Manager
Ben Peyton, Senior Technical Assistant Specialist

USET OERM Food Sovereignty Fridays
2025-04-25 10:00 - 11:30, 2025-05-30 10:00 - 11:30, 2025-06-27 10:00 - 11:30 | Virtual Event
The USET Office of Environmental Resource Management presents
Food Sovereignty Fridays
On the last Friday of every month, the Food Sovereignty Program within the Office of Environmental Resources Management (OERM) will host a 1.5 hour webinar highlighting Tribal agriculture and aquaculture infrastructure best management practices that are successfully revitalizing Tribal food systems. Each Session will highlight Tribal Food Sovereignty Projects, and/or Culinary Traditions! All webinars will be open to the public and recorded.

When:

The last Friday of the month at 10:00 am – 11:30 am Central/11:00 am – 12:30 pm Eastern

Who should attend: Tribal Leaders and Tribal Agriculture/Natural Resources/Environmental Directors. This is open to all of Indian country.

Registration:
Register today.

Questions:
For more information, please contact Danielle Greendeer, USET Food Sovereignty Program Manager, at dgreendeer@usetinc.org.

USET Diabetes Support Program Regional Training
2025-04-29 - 2025-04-30 | Paragon Casino Resort, 711 Paragon Place, Marksville, LA, 71351, United States
The USET Office of Tribal Public Health is providing the USET Diabetes Support Program Regional Training for the Indian Health Service (IHS) Nashville Area Special Diabetes Program for Indians (SDPI) program coordinators. The purpose of this event is to provide a collective approach to understanding the needs of their SDPI program and provide educational resources/materials to support their program productivity and impact.
When: April 29 – 30, 2025
Where: The Paragon Casino, 711 Paragon Place, Marksville, LA 71351
Who Should Attend: IHS Nashville Area SDPI program coordinators, Health Directors, and Healthcare professionals.
Participants Will Learn About:

SDPI Grant Requirements
Data Reporting
SDPI Best Practices

Registration: Register today
Questions: Please contact D’Angelique Lister, USET Public Health Program Coordinator, at dlister@usetinc.org with any questions or concerns.

Tribal Public Health Preparedness and Resilience Task Force Meeting
2025-05-06 12:00 - 12:30 | Virtual Event
The USET Tribal Public Health Preparedness and Resilience Task Force (Tribal PHPR) is a Tribally centered epidemiological approach to public health preparedness and resilience with the primary goal of strengthening the resilience of Tribal Nations in the USET region through public health strategies focused on the mitigation, prevention, and preparation phases of the disaster management cycle.  The goal of this Task Force is to build relationships between Tribal Nations in the USET region and the USET Epidemiology team! Join the contact list today to start receiving updates.
Date: The first Tuesday of every month at 12:00 pm – 12:30 pm Central / 1:00 pm – 1:30 pm Eastern

May Speaker Highlight: The May meeting will be presented by Shawn Newell Safety Director for the Mi’kmaq Nation. Shawn brings to the Tribal Nation over 26 years of experience in Public Safety. The mission of the Safety Directors is to provide a safe and hazard-free environment for the staff and Tribal citizens of the Mi’kmaq Community. His office is responsible for writing all emergency, disaster, shelter, mitigation, and safety plans for the Tribal Nation. The Safety Director is also responsible for responding to all minor and large-scale emergencies within the Tribal Nation.
The Safety Director also works closely with other Tribal, state, and county emergency management officials, state, county, and local police and fire agencies, the American Red Cross, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency to create conducive working relationships for the betterment of their Tribal Community.
Shawn also provides safety, CPR, and first aid training to the Tribal Nation. He serves as the chair of the Mi’kmaq Wellness Committee and on many other boards to represent the Mi’kmaq Nation.
Who Should Attend?

Tribal Leaders and Tribal Council Members
Health Directors, Physicians, Medical Staff, Behavioral Health Professionals, Public Health Nurses
Emergency Response/ Coordination Personnel, Homeland Security Personnel
Emergency Services Personnel, First Responders, Public Safety Personnel
Epidemiologists, Data Specialists
Risk Management Personnel, Community Planners
Environmental Health Staff, Public Works Personnel
Anyone interested in Public Health Preparedness and Resilience

Registration: Once we receive your contact information on the form here, you will be sent the link for the calendar invite. We do this to preserve the integrity of the PHPR Task Force and ensure only USET member Tribal Nation staff and organizations are able to join.
Questions: For questions, please contact Anna Garrett, USET Senior Epidemiologist at agarrett@usetinc.org, Samantha Rieche, USET Staff Epidemiologist at srieche@usetinc.org, or Haley Tulis, Epidemiology Administrative Assistant at htulis@usetinc.org.

Tribal Health Services Self-Determination and Self-Governance Technical Assistance Monthly Office Hours
2025-05-07 11:00 - 14:00, 2025-06-04 11:00 - 14:00, 2025-07-02 11:00 - 14:00 | Virtual Event
Due to the high demand of additional information, the USET Office Tribal Public Health is hosting office hours with Martha Ketcher, a subject matter expert, who will provide resources and guidance related to the navigating the Indian Self Determination Education Assistance Act as it pertains to health operations.
To solicit feedback on topics, please email Onawa Miller, USET OTPH Director, at omiller@usetinc.org
When: First Wednesday of every month at 11:00 am – 2:00 pm Central/12:00 pm – 3:00 pm Eastern
Who should attend: Health Directors, Tribal Leaders, and Tribal Nation Designated Staff
Participants will learn about:

The Basic ISDEAA Contracting Title I vs Title V
How to write Letters of Intent (LOI); Estimating Pre Award and Startup Cost
The Preparation of Budget Negotiation, Aligning Salaries, Structuring Budgets, Contract Support Cost (CSC)
How to Interpret Tribal Shares Tables
How to Add new Programs, Functions, Services and Activities (PFSAs), Clinics, Pharmacy
The 340B Pharmacy
CSC on RCM
Maximizing Space for a 105(l)
TMG, TSG
HSP Tools, SAP

Registration: Register today
Questions and Feedback: Please contact Onawa Miller, USET OTPH Director, at omiller@usetinc.org with any questions or feedback on topics.

Mental Health First Aid Training
2025-05-08 08:00 - 13:00, 2025-05-15 08:00 - 13:00 | Virtual Event
The United South and Eastern Tribes (USET) Office of Tribal Public Health’s Behavioral Health team is hosting two Mental Health First Aid Trainings in May 2025. The training will consist of approximately two hours of self-paced pre-work and one 5-hour virtual training day. Mental Health First Aid, as defined by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, is a course that teaches you how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders. The training gives you the skills you need to reach out and provide initial help and support to someone who may be developing a mental health or substance use problem or experiencing a crisis. Learn more about the training.

When:

Youth Mental Health First Aid
May 8 at 8:00 am – 1:00 pm Central/9:00 am – 2:00 pm Eastern

Adult Mental Health First Aid
May 15 at 8:00 am – 1:00 pm Central/9:00 am – 2:00 pm Eastern

Who Should Attend:

Any community member and staff of a USET member Tribal Nation who would like to learn new skills and/or expand on current skills related to mental health and ultimately help those in their communities.

What You Will Learn:

How to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders
How to reach out and provide initial help and support to someone who may be developing a mental health or substance use problem or experiencing a crisis

Register:

Youth registration link

Adult registration link

Questions:

Please contact Amanda Watts, Evaluation Specialist, at awatts@usetinc.org with any questions.

Clinical Operations Technical Assistance Office Hours with James Spillane
2025-05-21 11:00 - 14:00, 2025-06-18 11:00 - 14:00, 2025-07-16 11:00 - 14:00 | Virtual Event
The USET Office of Tribal Public Health (OTPH) is pleased to announce that starting January 15th we will be holding regular virtual office hours with James Spillane and OTPH Data Improvement Staff to offer technical assistance on a variety of healthcare related topics: Social Determinants of Health, GPRA measures, EHR templates and reminders, RPMS, iCARE panels, workflow management, and the Patient-Centered Medical Home model and accreditation. Please mark your calendars and feel free to drop by during these times.
When: The third Wednesday of the month at 11:00 pm – 2:00 pm Central/12:00 pm – 3:00 pm Eastern
Who should attend: USET member Tribal Nations Health Directors and Clinical Staff
Learning Objectives: These office hours are a great opportunity to discuss any questions, requests, or concerns you or your clinical staff may have regarding:

Social Determinants of Health
GPRA measures
EHR templates and reminders
RPMS
iCARE panels
workflow management
Patient-Centered Medical Home model and accreditation

Registration: Registration is not required.
Join via Zoom: Zoom link
Questions: Please contact Hailey Wade, USET Public Health Planning & Infrastructure Program Manager, at hwade@usetinc.org.

USET Community Resilience Virtual Roundtables
2025-05-21 14:00 - 15:00, 2025-06-18 14:00 - 15:00 | Virtual Event
Join the USET Community Resilience Program for a series of virtual roundtable discussions on strategies that Tribal Nations are using to protect their citizens and lands from environmental challenges. Each roundtable will begin with a short presentation on a resilience project or initiative taking place in the USET region followed by questions and open discussion for attendees to learn from one another and build community across the region. The roundtable topic will be announced one to two weeks before each session through an update to the outlook event. We encourage attendees to join all discussions as they’re able, since all facets of environmental care and resilience interact and discussions are enriched by diverse groups of participants.
When: on the third Wednesday of each month at 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm Central/3:00 pm – 4:00 pm Eastern (ending on November 19, 2025)
Who Should Attend: USET member Tribal Nation staff, leaders, and citizens interested in community resilience, regardless of department or typical work duties.
What You will Learn: Participants will share and receive ideas for creative solutions for environmental adaptation and resilience across sectors while building relationships and potential partnerships across Nations.
Register: Registration is open.
Questions: Please contact Steph Courtney, USET Community Resilience Liaison, at scourtney@usetinc.org with any questions or concerns.

Tribal Public Health Preparedness and Resilience Task Force Meeting
2025-06-03 12:00 - 12:30, 2025-07-01 12:00 - 12:30 | Virtual Event
The USET Tribal Public Health Preparedness and Resilience Task Force (Tribal PHPR) is a Tribally centered epidemiological approach to public health preparedness and resilience with the primary goal of strengthening the resilience of Tribal Nations in the USET region through public health strategies focused on the mitigation, prevention, and preparation phases of the disaster management cycle.  The goal of this Task Force is to build relationships between Tribal Nations in the USET region and the USET Epidemiology team! Join the contact list today to start receiving updates.
Date: The first Tuesday of every month at 12:00 pm – 12:30 pm Central / 1:00 pm – 1:30 pm Eastern

Who Should Attend?

Tribal Leaders and Tribal Council Members
Health Directors, Physicians, Medical Staff, Behavioral Health Professionals, Public Health Nurses
Emergency Response/ Coordination Personnel, Homeland Security Personnel
Emergency Services Personnel, First Responders, Public Safety Personnel
Epidemiologists, Data Specialists
Risk Management Personnel, Community Planners
Environmental Health Staff, Public Works Personnel
Anyone interested in Public Health Preparedness and Resilience

Registration: Once we receive your contact information on the form here, you will be sent the link for the calendar invite. We do this to preserve the integrity of the PHPR Task Force and ensure only USET member Tribal Nation staff and organizations are able to join.
Questions: For questions, please contact Anna Garrett, USET Senior Epidemiologist at agarrett@usetinc.org, Samantha Rieche, USET Staff Epidemiologist at srieche@usetinc.org, or Haley Tulis, Epidemiology Administrative Assistant at htulis@usetinc.org.

2025 USET Best Practices Conference
2025-07-07 00:00 - 2025-07-09 23:59 | Renaissance Nashville Hotel, 611 Commerce Street, Nashville, TN, 37203, United States
2025 USET Best Practices Conference
The Braided Path: Weaving together Wisdom, Innovation, and Community
July 7-9, 2025
Nashville, TN
Our Why: USET member Tribal Nations have cared for their communities and environments since time immemorial. This wisdom and these invaluable best practices have been passed down through the generations fostering a unique relationship among each other and all living things. This advances a deep connection with the environment, providing holistic health approaches, and cultivates sustainable economic development.

Conference Definition: USET presents an integrated approach to Tribal Sovereignty and Self-determination through the programmatic lens of our Offices of Environmental Resource Management, Economic Development, and Tribal Public Health. This conference hosts learning sessions for Tribal Leadership and staff to engage in a collaborative setting to share knowledge, wisdom, and innovation to enhance our collective strength and impact.

Goals:

To provide collaborative spaces for USET member Tribal Nation Leaders and staff to share knowledge, skills, resources, and fortify relationships.
To promote USET foundational pillars, which support USET member Tribal Nations in strengthening communities of practice.
To provide innovative support service through cross-sectional tracks.
To ensure the health, well-being, and self-determination of present and future generations.

When: July 7-9, 2025
The conference begins on July 7 at 1:30 pm and ends on July 9 at 4:30 pm.

Where: Nashville, TN
Renaissance Hotel in downtown Nashville
611 Commerce Street
Nashville, TN 37203
The Hotel Room Block has been extended to Monday, June 16. To make your reservation, use the booking link or call 615-255-8400. The discounted room rate is $249.00 + taxes per night. If you have any issues making your reservation, please contact Jane Wilson at jwilson@usetinc.org.
Transportation to/from the Hotel: The hotel does not provide a shuttle service. The Nashville BNA Airport does have taxis and ride shares that will easily transport you to/from the hotel.
Parking: The hotel has valet parking for $65.00 a day. Valet parking does have in/out privileges. Self-parking options are available nearby but are not associated with the hotel.
*Letter from Hotel regarding parking and the temporary closing of the garage at 151 6th Ave North.
Places to Eat and Things to Do Near the Renaissance Nashville Hotel:
Fifth + Broad – Connected to the hotel, explore Fifth + Broadway, where the city comes to life. With eats and entertainment for all ages, Fifth + Broadway is changing the way Nashville lives, works and plays. Enjoy premier shopping, ridiculously good food and more all while taking in the downtown views.
Things to Do in Nashville – Creativity is the heart and soul of Nashville, the “Music City,” and there’s never a shortage of inspiring things to do. From music, culture, and the arts to food, sports, and shopping, there is an “only in Nashville” experience waiting for you.
Renaissance Hotel Interactive Local Attractions Map – At Renaissance Nashville Hotel, you’re in the heart of all the city center action, from the Tennessee State Capitol to Bridgestone Arena to the one and only Music Row.

Who should attend:
USET member Tribal Nation Leaders, staff, committee members, volunteers, and citizens who can benefit in the exchange of information, such as:

USET Member Tribal Nation Leaders
USET Member Tribal Health Staff: Health directors, clinic staff, diabetes coordinators, behavioral health, social services personnel, emergency services personnel, and public health professionals.
USET Member Tribal Economic Development Staff: Development Directors, Enterprise leaders, Community Development professionals
USET Member Tribal Program Staff: Natural resource managers, water and wastewater utility professionals, agriculture program staff and producers, cultural resource managers, climate adaptation and resiliency staff, school and childcare facilities managers, and infrastructure and community development planners.

Tracks:
The USET Best Practices Conference tracks are designed to provide a diverse and comprehensive platform for exploring critical issues and emerging trends across various programmatic focuses. These tracks aim to foster dialogue, collaboration, and innovation. Through engaging presentations, panel discussions, and networking opportunities, participants will gain valuable insights, share expertise, and forge meaningful connections with fellow professionals and thought leaders.
The USET Offices of Environmental Resource Management, the Economic Development, and Tribal Public Health will present across these three domains:

Our Homelands: Exploring the relationship between indigenous communities and their ancestral lands, this track delves into the challenges and best practices of preserving cultural heritage, community development, and environmental stewardship.
Our People: Focusing on the well-being and empowerment of indigenous people, this track addresses issues such as health, education, and the preservation of traditional knowledge and languages.
Our Voice: Envisioning a future shaped by indigenous perspectives, this track explores innovative solutions to pressing global challenges and inclusion of indigenous narratives.

Agenda:
Agenda (last updated July 1, 2025)

Registration: Registration is now open.

Travel Stipends:
The 2025 Travel Stipend Request is now closed. Thank you to everyone who applied and if you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to BPCsupport@usetinc.org.

Special Events:

Barter Market: Back for the second year, the Barter Market is an activity to discuss trade and remember the value of our time, expertise, and craft beyond the cash economy. To participate, please bring a good or service, large or small, that can make for a good trade. Some examples include: Maple syrup, seeds, beadwork, baskets, jam, teas, traditional tools, books, a hug, resume review, seed sorting, etc.

Speakers:
For inquiries on speaker opportunities at the USET 2025 Tribal Best Practices Conference, please contact us at bpcsupport@usetinc.org.

Exhibitors:
For inquiries on exhibitor opportunities at the USET 2025 Tribal Best Practices Conference, please contact us at bpcsupport@usetinc.org.
FedEx Shipping Instructions
Renaissance Hotel Vendor Shipping Instructions

Meeting App:

Download the USET/USET SPF Events app from your app store. Then within the app search for USET 2025 Tribal Best Practices Conference. Download the event to the app. You can use it to stay up to date with the latest news and announcements, create your schedule, view all agendas, and connect with attendees.
If you have used the app for a previous USET meeting, you will need to exit that event. Click on your profile, go to settings, and click “exit the event” at the bottom of the screen. Then search for USET 2025 Tribal Best Practices Conference and download the event to your app.

Open the app in Google Play
Open the app in the Apple Store

What to Expect:

The hotel does not provide airport shuttle service.
All meals will not be provided.
A wellness room will be available for participants to take a moment to unwind and relieve some stress.
A lactation room will be provided for participants needing to pump or breastfeed.
It will be hot and humid in Nashville. The weather is a bit unpredictable, but heat and humidity are a guarantee. However, some rooms in the hotel might be a bit chilly so it’s suggested to bring a light jacket or sweater.
There will be fabulous prizes given during general sessions and you must be present to win.
There will be amazing vendors!
The USET/USET Event app will have the most up-to-date information regarding sessions, locations, and maps. Notifications will be sent throughout the conference for helpful reminders and announcements.

USET/USET SPF Safe Public Health Practices Policy for All USET/USET SPF Meetings
While the COVID-19 pandemic is behind us, the lessons learned during this time remind us of the importance of maintaining proactive and precautionary health measures. Moving forward, USET/USET SPF remains committed to fostering safe and healthy environments for all members, staff, and event attendees by applying general public health best practices. The USET Tribal Epidemiology Center (USET TEC) is a designated public health authority and encourages all attendees to adopt general health measures to protect themselves and others, such as:

Staying home when feeling unwell.
Washing hands frequently and thoroughly.
Practicing respiratory etiquette (e.g., covering coughs and sneezes).
Remaining aware of potential health risks and staying informed about public health updates.

Rescheduled: Resource and Patient Management System (RPMS) Training for Special Diabetes Program for Indians (SDPI) Recipients
2025-07-08 00:00 - 2025-07-09 23:59 | United South and Eastern Tribes Nashville Office, 711 Stewarts Ferry Pike, Nashville, TN, 37214, United States
Update: This training has been rescheduled from July 10-11, 2025, to July 8-9, 2025

Participants will receive in-person instruction at no-cost in the Diabetes Management System package for RPMS (BDM) in both the roll and scroll interface and the Visual DMS graphical user interface (GUI). Topics include building and maintaining diabetes and pre-diabetes registers, editing patient information, and running register and quality assurance reports. Additional topics include using QMAN for custom searches to meet needs that commonly arise for diabetes programs, creating panels of patients in iCare, and performing the annual IHS Diabetes Audit with WebAudit.
When: July 8-9 at 8:30 am – 4:30 pm Central each day
Where: In-person only at the USET and Indian Health Service Nashville Area Office, 711 Stewarts Ferry Pike, Nashville, TN 37214, on the third floor in the computer training room
Hotel Accommodations:
Renaissance Hotel in downtown Nashville
611 Commerce Street
Nashville, TN 37203
To make your reservation, use the booking link here or call (877) 901-6632. The discounted room rate is $249.00 + taxes per night. The discounted room rates expire on June 9, 2025.
*A shuttle will be provided from the Tribal Best Practice Conference Hotel to the Nashville office where the training is being conducted.
Who Should Attend: USET member Tribal Nations that are Special Diabetes Program for Indians (SDPI) grant participants who submit the annual web
audit in SOS.
Learning Objectives:

Recognize the importance of building and maintaining a diabetes and pre-diabetes register.
Learn about best practices within the Diabetes Management System Package for RPMS.
Understand how to run quality assurance reports.
Learn the steps necessary to perform the annual IHS Diabetes Audit with WebAudit.

Registration: Register today.
Questions: For questions, please contact Michele Scarlata, USET Project Administrator, at mscarlata@usetinc.org.
