H.O.P.E. Services
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The Native Helping Our People Endure (H.O.P.E.) Program is a trauma-informed and culturally-responsive intervention program focused on suicide and substance misuse prevention strategies in Indian Country. The program is grant-funded by the state of Colorado. Our services are available in 8 high schools in Denver Public schools:
- North High School
- Abraham Lincoln High School
- Thomas Jefferson High School
- South High School
- East High School
- John F Kennedy High School
- West Early College High School
- West Leadership Academy High School
Services
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Training for school administrators, educators, and school-based personnel
- Provide a training process that’s culturally-responsive and trauma-informed for school leaders to understand the incorporation of culture, spirituality, and values by generosity, interdependence, mastery, and belonging.
- Create a sacred and safe environment for adults, students, and families to mobilize as a team, create healthy relationships, increase facilitation skills, and provide information on referral processes on behavioral health concerns, specifically suicide and substance misuse.
- Assist with Native communities on the support with memberships in all domains to provide early prevention (primary, secondary, & tertiary) on all levels, referral processes, and long-term support for students, families, and communities.
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Mental and Behavioral Health Supports
- Provide awareness of prevention strategies about the risk and protective factors associated with suicide (“Code of Silence”), substance misuse, violence, etc. to know how to make appropriate referrals and provide support.
- Identify the recognition of strengths to break unhealthy multi-generational cycles within families/communities and provide ways to maintain healthy relationships.
- Increase accessibility of mental and medical care treatments and other community-based support systems.
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Incorporation of community mobilizers
- Incorporate community organizations/agencies, Native elders, etc. to develop action plans that’s a community response to support and guide efforts for children, youth and families to increase resilience and perseverance.
- Coordinate and establish community partnerships with organizations such as Tribal government and health, Indian Health Services, Bureau of Indian Affairs, school, prevention/treatment program, and all other domains in the local and regional communities.
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Life Skills Growth and Development
- Incorporate and provide lesson plans surrounding areas, but not limited to: building self-esteem and efficacy, assertive communication, identifying emotions and stress, leadership opportunities in Indian Country, etc.
- Prioritize and increase graduation rates through college career readiness preparation (i.e. scholarships, college/job applications, workshops, etc.)
CONTACT
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Brandon Smith, MSW, MPH
Native American Culture and Education
Suicide and Substance Misuse Program Specialist
720-423-3744
Brandon_Smith@dpsk12.orgRose McGuire
Senior Manager
Native American Culture and Education
Rose_McGuire@dpsk12.org
