Welcome to The WEAVING Project

About the WEAVING Project >

Project Background

History

In 2003, at the request of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Urban Indian Health Institute conducted a survey among urban Indian health organizations and state breast and cervical cancer early detection programs to gather baseline information on the availability of breast and cervical screening services for urban Indian women. An aggregate report (PDF) of these findings was released by the Urban Indian Health Institute in 2004, and was the first report of its kind to provide baseline information on breast and cervical cancer screening services for urban Indian women. Findings that emerged from this report included the many barriers to screening that were identified by both the urban Indian health organizations and the state programs, as well as the need for increased collaboration between partners such as urban Indian health organizations and state breast and cervical programs.

The WEAVING Project

In response to the 2004 report findings, in 2007 through cooperative agreement with the CDC’s National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (cooperative agreement #U57/DP001118), the UIHI formed the project, WEAVING Resources for Urban Indian Women’s Wellness (the WEAVING Project). By providing technical assistance services to urban Indian health organizations and state breast and cervical cancer programs, the primary goal of the WEAVING Project is to help increase the number of urban American Indian/Alaska Native women receiving breast and cervical cancer screening services.

The WEAVING Project works directly with the 34 UIHO as well as the 19 states in which there are one or more UIHO located, but aims to provide resources that can assist any state or organization that seeks to increase screening rates for their urban American Indian/Alaska Native population.

Each year, the WEAVING Project also works with 3-5 participating sites. Participating sites are provided more customized technical assistance services to meet their specific needs and goals for breast and cervical cancer screening.

WEAVING Project Technical Assistance Map

This map provides a visual display of technical assistance provided by the WEAVING Project during the first three years of program activities. Technical assistance is available to the 34 urban Indian health organizations (UIHO) and the 19 state BCCEDP with one or more UIHO located in the state. If your agency is interested in receiving technical assistance from the WEAVING Project, please contact us at: info@uihi.org

Advisory Council

The WEAVING Project’s Advisory Council was convened in 2009 to guide current and future work of the WEAVING Project. Currently ten members strong, the Advisory Council includes representation from urban Indian health organizations, state breast and cervical cancer early detection programs, the CDC and national organizations. Advisory Council members meet quarterly, and over the coming months will guide the expansion of the group to include additional representation.