Community Grant Funding Available from Native People For Cancer Control

Applications Due 5 PM PST on Monday, March 16, 2015

Download Application Form
Download Instructions

 

Native People for Cancer Control is a project of Partnerships for Native Health at the University of Washington. Funded by the National Cancer Institute, its mission is to enhance existing relationships and build new bridges for community-based participatory research, training, and education to improve the health of American Indians and Alaska Natives. Our Specific Aims are to:

 

  • Increase cancer education, outreach, prevention, and health promotion activities among urban and rural Native people.
  • Conduct community-based participatory research that focuses on colorectal cancer screening, health literacy, health communication, and cancer risk factors among Native people.
  • Train Native investigators, both faculty and students, to conduct research on cancer disparities.
  • Reduce cancer-related health disparities by increasing the accessibility and use of interventions in Native communities.

 

Native People for Cancer Control invites applications for projects that address issues in cancer education, prevention, screening, and survivorship among American Indians and Alaska Natives living in the states of Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, Idaho, Oregon, North Dakota, and South Dakota.

 

Applications from Tribes and Tribal or community-based organizations are invited to propose projects involving cancer education, prevention, screening, and survivorship. Examples include the following:

 

    • Establishing support groups for cancer patients and survivors
    • Increasing awareness of cancer and the benefits of screening through community events (e.g., a community walk or run)
    • Planning educational activities that promote cancer screening
    • Recruiting women into a breast cancer screening program
    • Scheduling colon cancer screening exams at an outreach event
    • Identifying and disseminating resources for people with cancer in your community

 

Proposals should describe short-term projects that can be conducted with a one-time award of up to $1000. Applications must be submitted by 5 pm PST on Monday, March 16, 2015. An external committee will review applications. Funding decisions will be made by April 13, 2015.Funded activities must be completed by Saturday, August 15, 2015. The award can be used for costs such as supplies, incentives, mileage, and staff time. However, we discourage allocation of funds for staff time because of the nature of the award. Please note that computer equipment, direct patient services (including screening exams and treatment for cancer), food, and indirect costs cannot be paid for by community grant funding. Given the limited time frame of the award, projects that include research with human subjects are not eligible. Only one application per organization or tribe may be submitted for review.

 

Community grant recipients will also be required to administer a community needs survey developed by Native People for Cancer Control in conjunction with their proposed activities. In addition to the $1000 award, recipients will receive funding to cover the costs associated with survey administration, including incentives and postage. Data gathered by this survey will be shared with your community and used to shape future programs.

For more information, please contact Sarah Simpson at ss98@uw.edu or 206-543-3939.

 

HIGHLIGHTS OF PAST PROJECTS

The Fit and Fabulous Project – Billings Clinic Cancer Center

In 2013, the Billings Clinic Cancer Center was awarded a Native People for Cancer Control Community Grant to carry out the Fit and Fabulous project. Project staff partnered with tribal health programs on the Crow and Northern Cheyenne reservations to hold “Getting Started” clinics, which prepared women to participate in the annual Montana Women’s Run and provided an excellent venue for health education. Each session began with stretching and sharing information on a scheduled health topic, including breast health, cervical cancer, sun safety, and healthy eating. The women then engaged in 45 minutes of running or walking at their own pace to get in shape for the run. Participants were offered door prizes at the end of each session, which kept them returning week after week and provided resources to overcome financial and geographic barriers to participating in the Montana Women’s Run.

Ultimately, 180 women attended these events, and everyone who registered for the run was able to participate. Many of the women used their door prizes to pay for registration and transportation to the run. Even after the Fit and Fabulous activities ended, many women continued to meet on their own, and tribal health programs planned to continue similar activities to prepare for the event during the next year.

 

The Native Women’s Breast Cancer Survivor’s Support Group – Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe

The Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe received a Native People for Cancer Control Community Grant in 2013 to support the Native Women’s Breast Cancer Survivors Support Group. This group was created with the goal of increasing emotional health and quality of life among Native breast cancer survivors through connection to traditional tribal practices, understanding healthy lifestyle choices, and participating in community outreach activities. Each group session included a Talking Circle, which provided a forum for lively and engaging discussion on topics related to cancer survivorship. Families of the survivors were also encouraged to attend so that they could learn more about their own cancer risk, as well as potential protective factors.

Participants considered their collaborative work making traditional hoop drums as the highlight of the group meetings. They expressed gratitude for being able to experience support on their cancer journey with members of their community, and they appreciated having a place to hold frank and informative discussions about issues of survivorship. They also enjoyed learning ways to incorporate healthy eating and activities into their daily life to promote health and well-being.