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PHOENIX INDIAN CENTER
Prevention Services

We know that in order to be successful in one’s personal, educational and professional life, we need to make good decisions and have a good network of support. This support can be from family, friends and from community organizations such as ours. We offer several programs to help support our urban American Indian families to increase communication, build community and to prevent risky behaviors and promote healthy choices.

To sign up for an upcoming workshop, visit our calendar events page: Click here to register

(UICAZ)
Urban Indian Coalition of Arizona

UICAZ is a grassroots community coalition focused on educating and preventing substance use and abuse by adolescents and suicide prevention in the urban American Indian community. Members share strength in providing resources, bringing diverse perspectives, and collaboration to create awareness and address issues within our community.

Our number one goal is to support our youth and assist them in making healthy choices that will prevent them from drinking while underage. We strive to educate about the dangers of prescription drugs, marijuana abuse and create awareness about suicide. We advocate for the Urban Indian Child Welfare Act to protect Native American children and to promote the preservation of AI/AN families and tribes.

Please join us – your voice is needed! It truly does take a village to make a difference. The coalition meets on the fourth Tuesday of each month.

Join in-person at the Phoenix Indian Center or virtually on Zoom at the Phoenix Indian Center for our UICAZ Monthly Meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026 from 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. To register, click here

If you haven’t already, please fill out a UICAZ Membership Form: Click here.  Email form to uicaz@phxindcenter.org 

Follow us on social media @UICAZ or @UrbanIndianCoalitionOfArizona on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Twitter

Our Prevention Team is here to help keep our urban American Indian community safe by providing culturally responsive resources and prevention programming. 

See what's coming up...

Urban Indian Coalition of Arizona

Mission Statement: Our mission is to create a sustainable coalition that addresses prevention of suicide, underage drinking and use/abuse of marijuana and prescription drugs through the foundation of cultures to improve the overall well-being of Urban American Indian youth and families.

Join us virtually on Zoom for our UICAZ Monthly Meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026 from 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.mTo register, click here.

2026 American Indian Suicide Prevention Convening

The Annual American Indian Suicide Prevention Convening is seeking workshop proposals for 45-minute breakout sessions on April 23 & 24, 2026. In-person workshop content should be culturally relevant, educational, engaging, and reflect experience and expertise in the following tracks:  

  • Clinical 
  • Cultural 
  • Youth & Families   

This year’s theme is “Threads of Life: Weaving Hope & Healing,” honoring the role of basketry across many Indigenous cultures. We envision a healthy, culturally connected, suicide-safer community—woven strong like a basket that keeps our relatives from falling through. To find more information on the three tracks, the convening, and to submit a proposal, click here.  

Submission Deadline: Sunday, January 25, 2026. For more information, please contact Cante Zephier at 602-264-6768 ext. 141 or czephier@phxindcenter.org

UICAZ Annual Volunteer Spring Breakfast

Spring Forward With UICAZ

Join us in celebrating all the dedicated individuals of the Urban Indian Coalition of Arizona with a yummy catered breakfast from Blue Corn Bakery! This event is to recognize our hardworking volunteers of the 2025 fiscal year. Please join us as we will be celebrating with food, games, networking, and recognition!

Event Details:

Date: February 19, 2026

Time: 8:30AM-11AM

Location: Phoenix Indian Center (4041 N. Central Ave. Building B, Phoenix, AZ 85012) MPR A&B

To register now, click here!

What is Living in 2 Worlds (L2W)?

Calling all American Indian Middle School Students! Are you interested in learning about how your American Indian culture and values can help you say “no” in everyday conflicts? Join us for fun discussions about how to deal with risky situations at school and home and time to spend with other youth like you! Other workshop opportunities include door prizes, gift cards, and free food!

This curriculum was developed by the Phoenix Indian Center in partnership with ASU’s Southwest Interdisciplinary Research Center using the Keepin’ it REAL drug resistance strategies project as a program for our American Indian youth. Living in 2 Worlds draws on American Indian culture and values as effective drug resistance strategies. We provide youth with different ways to say no to negative choices that confront youth every day, and at the same time, we give youth ample opportunity to express their pride in their American Indian culture(s) and teach them the positive value in the nurturing of that pride.

Living in 2 Worlds, draws on Native culture and values as effective drug resistance strategies. The L2W also teaches, a variety of ways to say no to negative choices that confront youth every day, while learning about different cultures. The students take home Cultural Heritage projects to open communication with family and discuss lives in urban and reservation homes.

 

If you have any additional questions, please feel free to contact Prevention Team at 602-264-6768.

safeTALK Training

safeTALK, “suicide alertness for everyone”, is a half-day training that prepares you to become a suicide-alert helper. safeTALK trained helpers can recognize invitations from a person with thoughts of suicide and take action by connecting them to suicide intervention resources. *This workshop is open to those 15 years old and older. Join this workshop to learn what to do when someone reaches out. Suicide is preventable. For information about upcoming training opportunities, contact the Prevention Services Team at (602) 264-6768 or at UICAZ@phxindcenter.org

 

January Training

Our Eventbrite Registration is currently full! We have activated a waitlist for our 1/22 safeTALK training. Individuals are still able to register and will be contacted if a spot becomes available. Any questions can be directed to acraig@phxindcenter.org.

  • Join Waitlist Today: Click here
  • Date: Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026
  • Time: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
  • Location: Phoenix Indian Center
  • Address: 4041 N. Central Ave. Building B, Phoenix, AZ 85012

QPR Question, Persuade, Refer

The QPR (Question, Persuade, and Refer) Gatekeeper Training for Suicide Prevention is a brief educational program designed to teach “gatekeepers”–those who are strategically positioned to recognize and refer someone at risk of suicide (e.g., parents, friends, neighbors, teachers, coaches, caseworkers, police officers) — the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to respond by following three steps:

• Question the individual’s desire or intent regarding suicide
• Persuade the person to seek and accept help
• Refer the person to appropriate resources

February Training

  • Register today: Click Here
  • Date: Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2026
  • Time: 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
  • Location: Virtually on Zoom

For more information about the next QPR training, contact the Prevention Services Team at (602) 264-6768 or at UICAZ@phxindcenter.org

ASIST Training

Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) is 2-day interactive in-person training that teaches participants to recognize when someone may have thoughts of suicide and to work with them to create a plan that will support their immediate safety. There is no cost for this nationally accredited training. Lunch, snacks, and beverages will be provided. Each participant must attend the training in its entirety to receive a certificate of attendance. For more information, contact the Prevention Services Team at (602) 264-6768 or at UICAZ@phxindcenter.org

Network Support Roundtable

Are you trained in suicide prevention? If so, please join us for our upcoming roundtable discussion. The Urban Indian Coalition of Arizona’s network of support is for anyone who has been trained in ASIST, safeTALK & QPR. This forum is to establish a safe place to discuss any matters pertaining to suicide prevention, such as barriers, successes, challenges, and other experiences we have encountered in suicide intervention/prevention. As we work towards establishing suicide-safer communities, let’s get together to support each other! For information about upcoming events, contact the Prevention Services Team at (602) 264-6768.

January Meeting

  • Register Today: Click here
  • Date: Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2026
  • Time: 1:00 PM – 3:30 PM
  • Location: Desert Botanical Garden (1201 N Galvin Pkwy, Phoenix, AZ 85008)

For more information about the next NSR event, contact the Prevention Services Team at (602) 264-6768 or at UICAZ@phxindcenter.org

Parenting Workshops For Parents & Guardians: Parenting & Health & Health Research Study

Calling all American Indian and Alaska Native parents with children ages 12 to 17 years old in Maricopa County! The ASU Global Center for Applied Health Research (GCAHR) is conducting a parenting research study to promote health in urban indigenous families. Join our 10-week program and earn up to $300 in gift cards. Dinner is provided at each class session, along with childcare. Bus passes are also available. For information, contact Loren Bahe: 602-264-6768 ext. 131 or email lbahe@phxindcenter.org

Eligibility Information:

  • Self-identify as Native American
  • Family lives in urban area
  • Never taken Parenting in 2 Worlds workshops
  • Primary Caregiver of American Indian or Alaska Native Youth age 12-17

Upcoming Information Sessions

Registration Link: Click here

  • Date: Tuesday, Oct. 28 (In-Person at the Phoenix Indian Center
  • Time: 6:00 – 7:00 PM
  • Date: Tuesday, Nov. 04 (In-Person at the Phoenix Indian Center
  • Time: 6:00 – 7:00 PM

Parenting In 2 Worlds

We invite all parents and guardians of American Indian youth to enroll in Parenting in 2 Worlds (P2W). P2W is an evidence based curriculum that was developed by Native parents in collaboration with the Phoenix Indian Center and ASU Southwest Interdisciplinary Research Center. P2W is designed for parents to learn the following:

  • Strengthen family communication skills
  • Better support and empower yourself as a caregiver of an urban American Indian youth
  • Enhance parenting skills through culturally relevant activities
  • Learn about child & youth development
  • Learn how to prevent and reduce risky behaviors in youth

See below for upcoming cycles! 

January P2W Classes:

Date: Starting Jan. 28

  • Time: Wednesday evenings (5:30 – 7:30 PM)
  • Location: Virtually on Zoom
  • Register here: Click here 

Date: Starting Feb. 5

  • Time: Thursday evenings (5:30 – 7:30 PM)
  • Location: Virtually on Zoom
  • Register here: Click here

Youth Community Gathering of Native Americans (GONA)

Inviting all high school students to join us for a powerful and creative workshop designed just for you. Through conversation, arts & crafts, and group activities, you’ll explore your personal journey and build meaningful connections with others. We will explore the four cultural components of embracing community & healing: belonging, mastery, interdependence & generosity.

Community Gathering of Native Americans (GONA)

These FREE workshops are open to all community members 15 years & older. We will explore the four cultural components of embracing community & healing: belonging, mastery, interdependence & generosity. For information, call 602-264-6768 or email UICAZ@phxindcenter.org

January Community GONA

Register now: Click Here

Date: Saturday, January 24th, 2026

Time: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM

The Red Cross First Aid for Opioid Overdoses

Are you ready to help your relatives and community members? Learn how to save a life!

Opioids are a class of drugs that includes both prescription medications and illegal drugs. Opioids are addictive, especially if misused, and can carry serious risks of overdose.

The Red Cross offers a fully online, self-paced training where you gain the skills to respond to a suspected opioid overdose emergency. Take First Aid for Opioid Overdoses and you will learn the signs of a suspected opioid overdose and the appropriate care to provide, including how to administer naloxone (a life-saving rescue medication that reverses the effects of an opioid overdose). Move through the course at your own pace, it takes about 45 minutes to complete.

Phoenix Indian Center can cover the registration fee so this training is at no cost to you, inquire through our interest form: Click here to access.

Safeguarding Medications 101

Safeguarding Medications 101 brings awareness to the harmful effects of prescription drug abuse. We’ll give parents, grandparents, and community members tips for preventing fatal overdoses. While medication is meant for healing, when in the wrong hands, it can lead to lifelong problems of substance abuse, addiction, and death. Join us at our workshops as we combat the prescription drug epidemic disproportionately impacting our American Indian and Alaska Native Tribal communities.

Safeguarding Medications 101 Facts

Did you know that 77% of American Indian youth in Maricopa County perceive little or no risk in abusing prescription drugs? Rx360 brings awareness to the harmful effects of prescription drugs, and gives parents and community members tips for preventing their misuse and abuse.

Do you have old medications that were prescribed to you for a surgery or broken bone, but you never took all of them? Are your prescription meds too easily accessible in your medicine cabinet at home? Rx360 brings awareness to the harmful effects of prescription drugs and gives parents and community members tips for preventing their misuse and abuse. While the medication is meant for healing, when in the wrong hands, it can lead to lifelong problems of substance abuse, addiction and death. Join us at our virtual workshop as we reclaim our American Indian and Alaska Native Tribal communities and combat the prescription drug epidemic.

Culture of Pride – Positive Habits Build Tradition
Watch all four important video messages!

Strengthen Our Community: Prevention Works

a 501(c) 3 non-profit recognized by the IRS. Tax ID Number: 86-6006566