Spotlight: Outreach and education in rural areas
December is the second full month of Marketplace open enrollment, which began November 1.
Members of federally recognized tribes and Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act Corporation shareholders can enroll in a Marketplace plan anytime, as noted in Understanding Special Enrollment Periods (PDF, 597 KB, 4 pp). However, many people sign up for, renew, or change their plan during open enrollment.
In the weeks remaining for open enrollment, CMS encourages everyone to visit HealthCare.gov to learn about the full range of plan options for which they are eligible. Applications are due by:
- December 15, 2025, for coverage that would start January 1, 2026
- January 15, 2026, for coverage that would start February 1, 2026
Consumers who need help selecting a Marketplace plan that’s right for them may find it helpful to discuss their options with an enrollment assister.
Tips for enrollment assisters
Limited cell phone reception and unreliable internet service can hinder outreach in rural and geographically isolated communities. Additionally, residents in these communities often must travel farther for in-person enrollment events than consumers in urban areas. Therefore, when planning enrollment events for people in rural counties, assisters should:
- Choose conveniently located sites, such as churches, schools, or grocery stores
- Use local radio stations and newspapers to advertise events and showcase enrollment success stories
- Provide local businesses with brochures and other printed materials about the Marketplace
- Encourage local officials and leaders to increase awareness of the Marketplace and become champions for health coverage
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December: Cold weather safety for elders
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Share this ad in your newsletter or on your website. For more information, please visit the CMS Outreach and Education Resources page.
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Need health coverage? Explore your options on HealthCare.gov and enroll today.
#CMSNativeHealth
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CMS tribal products
Access these online, tribal-specific resources anytime.
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Call for NICWA award nominations
Submit nominations by January 5, 2026, for the Champion for Native Children Awards, which recognize exceptional contributions to the well-being of Indigenous children, families, and communities in the United States or Canada.
One award will recognize an individual, and the other will recognize a tribe or organization. The National Indian Child Welfare Association (NICWA) will honor awardees March 31, 2026, during their 44th annual Protecting Our Children Conference in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
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How elders help Indigenous youth thrive
Staying connected to elders can help prevent Indigenous youth from entering foster care.
To better understand the types of support that such connections offer, Casey Family Programs convened focus groups of American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian elders. Focus group participants said youth are more likely to thrive when elders:
- Serve as mentors who offer acceptance and support
- Share cultural stories, practices, traditions, and knowledge
- Highlight the importance of education for success in life
- Promote access to cultural and spiritual resources
The full summary of key focus group findings is available online.
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Tribal Title IV-E plan development grants
Deadline: January 12, 2026
View the Title IV-E funding opportunity
The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) is offering grants for the development of plans to implement mandatory Title IV-E foster care and adoption assistance programs. Funds may also be used to address requirements for optional Title IV-E guardianship assistance, kinship navigator, and prevention programs.
ACF expects to award five grants of up to $300,000 each. Tribes, tribal organizations, and tribal consortia are eligible to apply.
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Indian Housing Block Grants
Deadline: January 15, 2026
View the Indian housing funding opportunity
Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the Indian Housing Block Grant program helps eligible tribes and tribally designated housing entities increase the availability of affordable housing through:
- New construction
- Acquisition and rehabilitation of existing housing units
HUD expects to award 35 grants for a five-year performance period.
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Native American Congressional internships
Deadline: January 15, 2026
View the Congressional Internship funding opportunity
The Udall Foundation and the Native Nations Institute for Leadership, Management, and Policy co-manage a summer internship program for American Indians and Alaska Natives interested in careers related to tribal public policy or supporting tribal communities. Eligible applicants include:
- Current undergraduate, graduate, or law students
- Recent graduates of a two- or four-year accredited, nonprofit institution of higher education
The program places 12 interns in Senate, House, and federal agency offices to enhance understanding of how the U.S. government works with tribal nations. Interns will be expected to live and work in Washington, DC, from May 27 to August 1, 2026.
Each intern will receive a $12,500 stipend that covers the cost of travel, housing, and other expenses.
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Native American research internships
Deadline: January 30, 2026
View the research internship funding opportunity
Undergraduate juniors and seniors interested in health science research and rural health are encouraged to apply for a paid summer internship at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City.
The 10-week internship provides opportunities to:
- Meet formally and informally with a cultural mentor
- Shadow physicians at clinical sites
- Participate in academic and professional development
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Healthy Relationships Training
December 16–17, 2025
12–7 p.m. Eastern
Virtual
Register for the Healthy Relationships Training
The Native Wellness Institute invites behavioral health and social service staff to attend a two-day training course on healthy relationships. Topics include conflict resolution and healing from historical and intergenerational trauma.
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TeleBehavioral health webinars
The Indian Health Service TeleBehavioral Health Center of Excellence is sponsoring the following tele-education webinars for health care team members:
Behavioral Health Integration webinar series, 12 p.m. Eastern
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December 18, 2025 – Integrated Care Within and Beyond the Clinic Wall
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January 8, 2026 – Enhancing Integration Care: Leveraging the PDSA Cycle for Continuous Improvement
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January 22, 2026 – Integrating Substance Use Treatment into Integrated Care Settings
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UNITY’s 2026 Midyear Conference
January 17–19, 2026
Phoenix, Arizona
Register by January 1, 2026, for UNITY’s 2026 Midyear Conference
United National Indian Tribal Youth, Inc.’s (UNITY) Midyear Conference will offer immersive training in community organizing and youth council development. Youth will have the opportunity to create 10-step action plans for community service projects.
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Indigenous Wellbeing Conference
February 18–20, 2026
Enoch, Alberta, Canada
Register by February 3, 2026, for the Indigenous Wellbeing Conference
The theme of this year’s Indigenous Wellbeing Conference is “From Healing to Thriving: Building the Next Generation of Wellbeing.” The event’s list of speakers includes Olympic gold medalist Billy Mills, a member of the Oglala Lakota Tribal Nation in South Dakota. Elders, leaders, educators, program managers, and frontline workers are encouraged to attend.
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Protecting Our Children Conference
March 29–April 1, 2026
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and virtual
Register by January 31, 2026, for the Protecting Our Children Conference’s early bird rate
The 44th annual Protecting Our Children Conference theme is “Uniting Our Voices for Our Children, Culture, & Communities.” Sponsored by the National Indian Child Welfare Association, the conference is geared toward social service providers, legal professionals, tribal leaders, federal program staff, and advocates for children.
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Contact us
Do you have news to share? Send it to CoveringIC@kauffmaninc.com for possible inclusion in an upcoming newsletter. Contact us with other comments or feedback, too.
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About the newsletter
Covering Indian Country is published by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Division of Tribal Affairs to share resources, success stories, and best practices with the people who connect tribal communities to health care coverage.
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