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.
PHOENIX INDIAN CENTER
Prevention Services
(UICAZ)
Urban Indian Coalition of Arizona
UICAZ is a community-driven coalition focused on educating and preventing substance use and abuse by adolescents dedicated to discussing, advising and collectively working together 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 and educating them about the dangers of prescription drugs and marijuana abuse and to create awareness about suicide. We strive to work as a community to address these issues. 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 virtually on Zoom or In person at the Phoenix Indian Center for our next coalition meeting on June 27, 2023 from 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Click here to register!
See what's coming up...
Network Support Roundtable
Are you trained in suicide prevention? 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!
Click here to register!
Date: Tuesday, June6, 2023
Time: 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Location: Phoenix Indian Center (4520 N Central Ave, Ste 250 | Phoenix, AZ 85012)
We are working to plan our next Network Support Roundtable. Check this page often for updates.
QPR Gatekeeper Training
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.
Click here to register!
Date: Wednesday, June 28, 2023
Time: 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
Location: Held virtually on Zoom
Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST)
Community members are invited to attend an Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (A.S.I.S.T.) 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.
*Please note only one ticket can be bought at one time. Please confirm your attendance for the training. For more information, contact Kami Ortiz at (602)264-6768 or kortiz@phxindcenter.org.
Registration information coming soon!
Date: September 20-21, 2023
Time: 9:00am-6:00pm (same time each date)
Location: TBD
This 2-day interactive in-person workshop will teach 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. ASIST participants learn to:
- Understand the ways that personal and societal attitudes affect views on suicide
- Provide guidance to a person at risk in ways that meet their individual needs
- Identify the key elements of an effective suicide safety plan and the actions required to implement it
- Appreciate the value of improving and integrating suicide prevention resources in the community at large
- Recognize other important aspects of suicide prevention including life-promotion and self-care.
Check this site often to learn about upcoming events.
safeTALK
safeTALK is a half-day alertness training to train participants to recognize the invitations sent out by people with thoughts of suicide and to take action by connecting them with life-saving intervention resources. Participants must be ages 15 or older, parent permission required for participants under 18 years old. Join us for our next workshop.
Check this page often for details about the next safeTALK training workshop.
Suicide Prevention Convening
The Urban Indian Coalition of Arizona and Phoenix Indian Center are excited to announce the 2023 Annual American Indian Suicide Prevention Convening! Join us on Friday, March 10th from 9am-4pm at the Mesa Convention Center. This convening is a safe space for local organizers to help establish suicide-safer communities for Urban American Indian families. Sessions will incorporate traditional and contemporary indigenous knowledge to bring together behavioral health staff, service providers, school support staff, youth service organizations and community members in our effort to end suicide. Breakfast and lunch provided. Seating is limited. Must register to attend this FREE event!
For more information, contact the Prevention Services Team at (602)264-6768 or at snelson@phxindcenter.org.
Parenting in 2 Worlds
Are you raising American Indian children aged 12 – 17? Then this workshop is for you. Together, with other caregivers, you will engage in effectively communicating with your child, instill traditions and values in this urban setting and much more, all while having fun!
Click here to register for the June workshop
Date: Every Tuesday beginning June 6, 2023
Time: 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Location: Held virtually on Zoom
Fostering American Indian Youth
Fostering American Indian Youth is a prevention program implemented for Foster Care Parents in Maricopa County that are currently fostering American Indian Youth. This is a three day workshop led by a facilitator that will focus on bridging the gap on topics such as communicating with your child, introducing norms, values and beliefs and also talking with your teen about risky behaviors.
Click here to register for the June workshop!
Date: June 7-9, 2023
Time: 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM (same time each day)
Location: Held virtually on Zoom
Click here to register for the August workshop!
Date: August 2-4, 2023
Time: 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM (same time each day)
Location: Held virtually on Zoom
Visit this page often for information on the next workshop!
*Upon registering, you will need to complete the enrollment forms prior attending this workshop. Click here to download and complete the enrollment forms now.
What is Parenting in 2 Worlds?
We invite Parents and Guardians of American Indian youth to enroll in an exciting new program, Parenting in 2 Worlds. Parents developed the Parenting in 2 Worlds curriculum in cooperation with the Phoenix Indian Center and ASU Southwest Interdisciplinary Research Center. Parenting in 2 Worlds is designed for parents to learn new ways to communicate with their youth. Other topics include:
- building parenting communities
- traditions, values and norms
- knowing your child’s world
- giving and receiving support
- guiding behaviors
- talking to teens about risky behaviors
Workshops are planned in Phoenix, Tucson and Flagstaff, as well as the Tohono O’odham Nation, Gila River Indian Community, Hopi Tribe, Pascua Yaqui Tribe and Navajo Nation. You are eligible if you care for American Indian youth between the ages of 0-17.
Click Here to download the enrollment form.
Living in 2 Worlds Summer Camp
Do you know an American Indian Middle School youth in need of something fun to do this summer? They are invited to our FREE Living in 2 Worlds Summer Camp! Join us @ Montecito Community School! The youth will learn prevention skills, cultural activities & spend time with other youth.
Click here to register today for the June camp!
Dates: June 13 – June 30, 2023
Time: 7:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Location: Montecito Community School 715 E Montecito Ave | Phoenix, AZ 85014
Click here to register for the July camp!
Dates: July 10 – July 27, 2023
Time: 7:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Location: Montecito Community School 715 E Montecito Ave | Phoenix, AZ 85014
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.
What is Childhelp Speak Up Be Safe (SUBS)?
This curriculum teaches children about personal safety. During two 40-minute sessions, a trained facilitator will present research-based, age-appropriate lessons to help children learn the skills to prevent or interrupt cycles of neglect, bullying and child abuse – physical, emotional and sexual. The Speak Up Be Safe curriculum includes information for children, parents, teachers, and communities to reinforce important safety rules. Because adults are responsible for keeping children safe, the lessons focus on helping children identify a safe adult and learn five safety rules the children can use to help their safe adults keep them safe:
- It’s MY body!
- Ask an adult if I am safe
- I have choices
- Tell someone
- It’s NEVER my fault!
Click here to download and complete the enrollment forms.
Check back often for dates of upcoming sessions.
If you have any additional questions, please feel free to contact Prevention Team at 602-264-6768.
Gathering of Native Americans (GONA)
This FREE workshop is open to all community members 14 – 18 years. We will explore the four cultural components of embracing community & healing: belonging, mastery, interdependence & generosity. Join us!
Click here to register to attend!
Date: Saturday, July 26, 2023
Time: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Location: Native Health Mesa (777 W Southern Ave, Bldg B, Ste 203 | Mesa, AZ 85210)
American Indian youth are invited to learn about personal discovery & build group connections using conversation, arts & crafts & group activities. This FREE workshop will explore the 4 cultural components of embracing community & healing through concepts of: belonging, mastery, interdependence and generosity.
Click here to learn more about GONA.
We are working to plan the next GONA. Check this page often for information about upcoming events.
Historical Intergenerational Trauma
Presentation focuses on historical events and their relationship to current social health determinants. In addition, we explore behaviors associated with American Indian youth in Maricopa County in both the home and school settings.
Check back often for dates of upcoming sessions.
Safeguarding Medication 101
Are your prescription meds too easily accessible in your medicine cabinet at home? Safeguarding Medications 101 brings awareness to the harmful effects of prescription drugs. We’ll give parents, grandparents, and community members tips for preventing their 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 to learn easy solutions to reclaim our American Indian communities. Dinner is provided to the first 30 participants.
Click here to register!
Date: Thursday, May 25, 2023
Time: 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
Location: Phoenix Indian School Visitor Center (300 E. Indian School Rd | Phoenix, AZ 85012)
What is Safeguarding Medications 101?
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.
Our team is working to prepare for future events. Check this page often for updated information about upcoming Safeguarding Medication 101 workshops.
Visit our website often for information on upcoming workshops.
Culture Matters When Preventing Alcohol and Other Drug Use. E-Cigarettes are NOT our Native tradition. Visit our website often to learn about events to learn more information about prevention efforts.
Culture of Pride – Positive Habits Build Tradition
Watch all four important video messages!
