Paiute Indian Tribe receives grant to fund community health care center in Cedar City – St George News

CEDAR TOWN — Community members who currently benefit from the FourPoints Health Clinic in Cedar City will see an expansion of available services once the new facility is built over the next several years.

In April, the U.S. Department of Economic Development Administration awarded $1.9 million in American Rescue Plan Program Grants for Native Communities to the Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah to support the construction of a new center community health center in Cedar City, the department said in a statement. Press release.

“This investment is a good example of EDA’s commitment to Indigenous communities, as well as equity as one of its top investment priorities,” the statement said.

The project was made possible through regional planning efforts led by the Association of Five County Governments, which created an economic development roadmap to benefit the regional economy, private capital investment and creation. jobs, the statement added.

Last October, tribal leaders inaugurated the FourPoints Health Clinic, which will be built on vacant land southeast of the organization’s existing clinic at 440 North Paiute Drive, which shares space with tribal offices.

The current building will remain used primarily for administrative purposes, said the organization’s chief health officer, Tyler Goddard.

The new clinic will be three times the size of the existing one, with a central lobby, an in-house lab, eight dental chair bays and 15 medical examination rooms, Cedar City News previously reported.

Additionally, Goddard said the new facility will have 12 behavioral health counseling rooms up from the current six and space for future growth.

The design phase has been completed and the organization is selecting bids for general contractors to begin work, Goddard said, adding that while they hope the project will be finished by mid-2023, it will most likely be completed by mid-2023. beginning of 2024.

The new clinic has been the tribe’s dream since its federal recognition was restored to federal responsibility in 1980. Over the past 15 to 20 years, it has established its own health care independent of the Indian Health Service with the aim to self-govern and “be a resource to themselves,” Goddard said, adding that the clinic welcomes everyone and a person doesn’t have to be a member of a tribe to benefit.

“And then, in doing that, giving back to the community and serving,” he said.

FourPoints services include primary medical care, dental care, pharmaceutical services, and mental health treatment and counselling, social services, and substance abuse assessment and recovery, according to its website.

Because FourPoints is a federally licensed health center, it offers a rolling fee scale for those who are uninsured or have high-deductible insurance, Goddard said.

Additionally, the organization offers a program for indigenous youth, the website says. Cultural prevention groups are also available for those exploring services outside of traditional therapy, such as sweat lodge ceremonies and drum circles.

The new building will allow FourPoints to expand, consolidate and integrate services to better serve patients internally. The organization plans to offer additional specialist services, which reduce external referrals to third-party vendors and save the tribe money, Goddard said.

He said all proceeds are donated to health care services for its members and the community.

While exploring various options for expanding specialty services, FourPoints officials will base their decision on “true need” and what is sustainable, Goddard said.

The organization will consider how each service meets the general needs of the community and whether it makes sense to provide to its members, Goddard said.

“There are things we’re able to offer our members because we have enough volume from the general public, like our intensive outpatient substance abuse program,” he said. “We are a small tribe. We don’t always have the number of people you would need to require this level of care… But because we are open to the general public, we can have this service available.

Among the specialties being considered are pediatric and psychiatric wards, Goddard said.

According to the press release, the project is expected to create around 50 jobs. Goddard said while discussions and assessments are ongoing, they don’t want to lock professionals into contracts too soon without being certain they will have a place to work. When the installation is complete, vacant rooms will be filled as needed to grow into the building rather than filling it all at once.

“We have our feelers and are talking to different people so that things are ready to go and we are ready to grow,” he said.

To learn more about the Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah, visit this website.

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