Project Choices Pilot Implementation and Evaluation Program for American Indian and Alaska Native Women

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The IHS seeks to support and educate AI/AN women of child bearing years in making healthy choices while enhancing their use of effective contraceptive practices. The purpose of this limited competition announcement is to implement and evaluate the CHOICES core intervention model with AI/AN women who meet high-risk criteria for an AEP. It has been determined that the CHOICES model as demonstrated in published studies has relevance for AI/AN communities. The IHS will fund one project as a cooperative agreement. The three year pilot will serve to determine the utility and suitability of the CHOICES model by tailoring it to the needs of AI/AN women across three settings in Native communities. The primary intervention is a brief intervention using motivational counseling techniques and family planning consultation and services in clinical and community based settings. The funded project will evaluate and further refine CDC-developed client materials intended for an AI/AN audience. This will be accomplished utilizing broad community-based oversight. The CDC will provide technical assistance (TA) to the funded project for the training and support of health care providers who implement the evidenced-based CHOICES intervention in AI/AN communities. The CDC and IHS will provide TA to the overall evaluation plan and its implementation in the funded settings. TA will help define process measures as CHOICES is implemented in the three sites to better understand feasibility for future public health planning in AI/AN communities. A final report of the results of the intervention delivery experience will be compiled for a final report due at the end of the funding period. This report will include outcomes and lessons learned with recommendations regarding future dissemination activities for Tribes, regional stakeholders, CDC and IHS. Substantive TA will be provided by the IHS and CDC working in collaboration.

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