A Collaboration between UTA and the Urban Inter-Tribal Center of Texas: Assessing the needs of the American Indian Population in Texas - Phase I

Abstract

**Please note that the full text is embargoed** ABSTRACT: Seventy-eight percent of all American Indians now live in cities, rather than on reservations. The Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area illustrates this history of urbanization with its population of more than 60,000 American Indians. The Urban Inter-Tribal Center of Texas (UITCT) is a key community organization that provides limited social services and health care services to clients representing 174 federally recognized tribes of American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/ANs). Data limitations have impeded the center from obtaining funding to expand services or to fully assess the medical, social and cultural needs and interests that may exist in DFW. UT-Arlington faculty, UITCT staff, and community members collaborated in the development and conduction of a community-based needs assessment of the American Indian Population of North Texas. This research project developed a replicable and culturally appropriate measurement tool using 3 focus groups to design a survey instrument that was then distributed at 3 venues in DFW. The data is being analyzed and will be presented to The Urban Inter-Tribal Center of Texas in July 2017.