Tribal Epidemiology Center Public Health Infrastructure Program (TECPHI)
Funded through a CDC cooperative agreement since 2017, the Tribal Epidemiology Centers Public Health Infrastructure Program (TECPHI) strengthens the capacity of Tribal Epidemiology Centers (TECs), Tribes, and Tribal/Urban Indian Organizations to deliver essential public health services and carry out the 7 core functions of TECs. TECPHI complements Indian Health Service (IHS) funding by supporting public health infrastructure, workforce development, and culturally grounded public health initiatives.
American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities experience disproportionately high rates of disease and premature death compared to other racial and ethnic groups in the United States. TECPHI’s mission is to address these health disparities by enhancing public health systems and infrastructure across the Great Plains Area.
The Great Plains TECPHI program serves 17 Tribes and one Indian Service Area across South Dakota, North Dakota, Nebraska, and Iowa. Through key capacity-building activities, TECPHI supports more effective public health promotion and disease prevention efforts rooted in Tribal values and community priorities.
Services Offered:
- Workforce development assessments
- Training to improve public health competencies
- Disease surveillance and epidemiological technical support
- Partnership building and cross-system collaboration
- Program evaluation support
- Support for public health grant writing, management, and sustainability
- Assistance toward Public Health Accreditation
- Cultivate public health capacity and human resources through internships and certifications
- Community Health Assessments/ Community Needs Assessments
