Organization

The Indian Health Service (IHS) is a component of the Public Health Service, Department of Health and Human Services, whose efforts are directed toward improving health services and promoting better health for all Americans. IHS serves the health needs of some 700,000 Native Americans and Alaska Natives who look to the federal government for assistance. The majority of the Native Americans live on federal reservations in 24 states mostly west of the Mississippi and in villages of Alaska.The Training Center program was established in 1968 to help achieve the mission of IHS by identifying the training needs of Native American and Alaska Native people and to develop specific training programs designed to meet those needs. Training is offered in the areas of health awareness, health skills, and health management, with emphasis on development of tribal capacity to function independently.These courses were designed for the community health representatives and other tribal health workers who, as liaisons between the Native American communities, the health facilities, and the tribes, provide health services to their people.