About Us
The Native Center for Behavioral Health is a research center at the University of Iowa College of Public Health committed to developing programs to support the behavioral health workforce in Native American and Alaska Native communities across the country. Our current projects include three technology transfer programs funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) in the areas of addiction (ATTC), mental health (MHTTC), and prevention (PTTC), as well as tribal opioid response technical assistance (TOR TA), mental health technical assistance for K-12 schools (MHTTC-Supplement), and a Tribal College and University Initiative. We also host a Leadership Academy for Native American and Alaska Native behavioral health professionals.
Our mission is to serve as subject-matter experts and key authorities on resources for culturally informed prevention practices, addiction treatment, recovery, and mental health services, supporting behavioral health professionals working with Native communities. We focus on using evidence and experience-based methods, as well as traditional cultural practices for treatment of those suffering from substance use and other behavioral health disorders, and providing technical assistance to communities in crisis due to a mental health or addiction epidemic. By partnering with local Native behavioral health workforce members, we utilize indigenous knowledge to create culturally-informed experiences for providers and clients.
Advisory Council, Consultants, and Partners
As is written in the values and principles of the Center, we draw upon the diverse and unique cultures, ceremonies, customs, and teachings of American Indians and Alaska Natives for strength, wisdom, and guidance. In order to serve in a national capacity, we rely on the commitment of members from across the country to advise on curriculum development, cultural competency, and needs assessment.
Meet our Staff
C. Allison Baez
PhD, Tap Pilam Coahuiltecan Nation-Aguateca Paguame Clan
Program Manager, Mental Health TTC K-12
210-859-6534
c-allison-baez@uiowa.edu
Monica Dreyer Rossi
Cand. Polit.
Program Manager, Tribal College and University Initiative, Leadership Academy
319-384-1486
Graduate Research Assistants
Dara L. Jefferson
Ph.D. Student
Graduate Research Assistant
Northern Arapaho, Meskwaki
