SONOMA COUNTY INDIAN HEALTH PROJECT

Sonoma County Indian Health Project, Inc. (SCIHP) was established in 1971 by a group of leaders from the Indian communities of Sonoma County. Their goal was to provide health care for all Indians of Sonoma County and to provide services in a manner which is sensitive to the culture and traditions of the local Indian Tribes.

Over the years, SCIHP has steadily progressed from a small organization consisting of a single dental chair and an exam table to the multimillion-dollar comprehensive health care facility it is today. In 1999, the Board of Directors acquired private land. In collaboration with the Tribes, SCIHP secured several grants through HUD (Housing and Urban Development) to begin building our Facility. Our initial operation revenue was through the Indian Health Service, under the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (P.L. 93-638). In 2001, we were able to move into our newly built facility, which is where we are presently located.

SCIHP is funded by State, County and private funds. Through a special relationship with the California Rural Indian Health Board (CRIHB), SCIHP is sub-contracted with the federal government. In effect, this establishes SCIHP as a tribal organization under the provisions of P.L. 93-638, and as such, performs the functions of the Indian Health Service throughout our assigned service area. This relationship carries certain responsibilities to the tribal governments, which comprise our contractual relationship.

SCIHP is licensed by the State of California as A Community Health Center. We currently provide medical, dental, nutritional, behavioral health, pharmacy and health education services. SCIHP has expanded care to non-Indians with Medi-Cal on a limited basis.