Seneca Nation's Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Abuse Site-based Program (SN COSSAP)

Through the submission of this application, the Seneca Nation is requesting assistance from the Bureau of Justice Affairs, under the FY2022 Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant and Substance Abuse Site-Based Program for a total of $979,907.91. This proposal is being submitted under Subcategory 1c. as the Seneca Nation is a Federally Recognized Native American Tribe.

Goal of Funding: The overall goal of this proposal is to combat the substance abuse epidemic plaguing the Seneca Nation’s communities. This goal is intended to be achieved through collaboration between numerous entities within the Seneca Nation, community groups, and local organizations. The following objectives have been identified to assist in reaching this goal;

Objective One: Establishment of a Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) Board comprised of Seneca Nation entities and community organizations, intended to collaborate toward; addressing gaps in data collection within our communities and Indian Country, create a strategic plan for the development of an inpatient treatment facility, and identify potential solutions to solving the substance abuse epidemic plaguing our Territories.

Objective Two: Collaborate with the legal entities to assist individuals in obtaining needed resources for treatment, in addition to addressing any barriers that may exist for the people struggling with addiction.

Objective Three: Provide trainings centered on Seneca culture and evidence-based practices for Behavioral Health and Seneca Strong.

Objective Four: Provide peer support, groups, individuals and community education surrounding the opiate epidemic through collaboration with internal and external entities.

The Seneca Nation is an Appalachian Regional Commission’s Transitional Counties. These areas have rates worse than the national average for 1 or more of 3 economic indicators but do not meet the stringent criteria for the distressed or at-risk levels. Per capita income (PCI) is $19,433- Allegany Territory and $19,223 - Cattaraugus Territory; the average PCI for the three counties is $29,724. The poverty rate is 28.9% - Allegany Territory and 35.7% - Cattaraugus Territory; the comparable rate for the counties is 16.7%. The unemployment rate is 7.2% - Allegany Territory and 14.1% - Cattaraugus Territory, while the rate for the counties is 5.3% (Source: American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020).