Puyallup Tribe Community Family Wellness Project

The substance abuse epidemic has had a devastating impact on Puyallup tribal members, their families, and the tribal community as a whole. Substance use on the Reservation is prevalent and overdose fatalities are becoming increasingly common. Resolving complex, multi-generational substance use is more successful when individuals have sober support, family education, and a thriving community. Returning to the tribal community should not be a barrier to recovery. The proposed project seeks to increase access to inpatient treatment, outpatient treatment services (including counseling and MAT), and family recovery support services that are culturally appropriate. In addition, the proposed project seeks to increase interventions and education within the Puyallup Tribal community to protect future generations.

The Puyallup Reservation is highly urbanized as it is primarily located within Pierce County and the city of Tacoma. Pierce County, where drug overdoses are now the leading cause of accidental death, has a population of 946,310 (2022). The city of Tacoma is the third largest city in Washington State. The 2010 Census reported that Tacoma has the eighth highest percentage of American Indians and Alaska Natives among U.S. Cities. The Puyallup Tribe’s Indian Health Service designated service area has a Native American and Alaska Native population of 28,208 individuals from over 350 tribes and bands.

Community Family Services, a department within Puyallup Tribal government administration, provides assessments, referrals, and treatment services to all Native American’s living within this service area. Their staff of substance use professionals connects clients to individualized treatment depending on what stage of recovery a person is in. Services provided by the Puyallup Tribe are culturally appropriate and targeted to healing Native families within the Puyallup tribal community. The Puyallup Tribe proposes using grant funding to reduce barriers to treatment services, as well as to increase the length of time in treatment by coordinating immediate outpatient services. Proposed funding will also enhance education and support for the family to strengthen the recovery community. The positive impact of this project extends beyond the individual receiving treatment and benefits the Puyallup community as a whole.