Reflecting on nearly a decade of tribal partnerships

As 2025 closes, we have been reflecting on the strong ties built over the last decade working with Tribal Health Centers statewide.

Since 2017, we have served as the support team for Tribal Health Center groups focused on children and youth with special health care needs (CYSHCN). This was made possible through Title V CYSHCN funding. For three years, the focus was on improving high-quality, family-centered care planning. We worked with teams to use Shared Plans of Care.

The work evolved over the years, shifting the focus to community-driven goals to improve care planning. Projects ranged from mental health to creating sensory-friendly clinic spaces to parent support groups. All projects were done with strong local partners, community outreach and a desire to make life better for children and their families.

Positive impacts

Hear from our partners with Gerald L. Ignace Indian Health Center about the positive impact this grant has had on their community:

We are truly grateful for the chance to partner with so many Wisconsin Tribal Nations over the years. Thank you to all of our colleagues for your dedication to this work and your willingness to work together.

While this work is ending for us, our ties with Tribal Health Centers will remain. We look to the new year with high hopes of continuing to work together to improve early identification through developmental screening. We will remain a resource and support for partners statewide.