Native direct-service organizations serving the urban Indian population in Washington State are essential partners in reaching Indigenous people who are disproportionately at high risk of COVID-19 infection and mortality. These organizations provide a variety of culturally specific health and human services including medical care, behavioral health services, housing assistance, employment training, early childhood education, and cultural programs to urban Native community members. This report provides a snapshot of impacts on, and needs of, urban Native direct-service organizations as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic from information gathered through surveys and key informant interviews.
Key Findings
| Recommendations to Meet Needs | ||
|---|---|---|
| Services | Along with meeting higher demand for many services, organizations have added new services to meet the changing needs of their community including COVID-19 testing, food banks, and support for remote learning. | Flexible, unrestricted, and sustainable funding to adapt to rapidly changing needs of the community |
| Vaccine Hesitancy | Urban Native direct-service organizations expressed there is significant COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in their communities. | Fund urban Indian organizations to assist in creating, reviewing, and disseminating public health information related to the COVID-19 vaccine |
| Housing | The ending of the state-wide eviction moratorium will have a significant effect on the community the Native direct-service organizations serve and, without additional support, it is predicted to increase homelessness. | Budget of 100 million dollars set aside to ensure American Indian and Alaska Native individuals and families remain housed Funding for housing assistance programs and staff prior to and after lifting of the moratorium |
| Future Needs | As the organizations adapt to meet community needs, resources need to be flexible because the impact of COVID-19 varies week to week. | Dedicated PPE, specifically hand sanitizer and surgical masks, from state and county partners Lessen the administrative burden brought on by COVID-19-specific funds Strategize with the organizations about sustainable funding mechanisms to continue services post-COVID Include urban Native direct-service organizations in decision-making from the local to state level regarding funding and policies |