PROGRAMS

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healthcare

Access to healthcare remains a challenge in the rugged, rural region of the Yurok Reservation and surrounding communities, where geographic isolation, limited infrastructure and long distances to services can create barriers to care. Many parts of this broader area are recognized as having provider shortages especially in primary care, dental and behavioral health fields. These realities mean many Yurok families are medically underserved and unable to get care close to home, which can be particularly challenging for elders, people with disabilities and individuals facing transportation barriers. 

Funding helps expand under-resourced health services, supports efforts to address access gaps and builds more sustainable, culturally grounded care that meets people where they are.

Current Priority

The Wah-Sekw-Won Wellness Center will be a new facility developed by the tribe to provide comprehensive substance use disorder and behavioral health services in the Weitchpec area on the Yurok Reservation. For many Yurok community members, accessing outpatient care currently requires more than 140 miles of round-trip travel, while residential treatment can require traveling hundreds of miles away from home. The wellness center is being designed as a culturally grounded, community-based facility that will offer residential and outpatient treatment, crisis intervention, traditional healing practices and recovery support services. Once completed, it will significantly reduce travel burdens, strengthen treatment continuity and provide a critical hub for health, healing and resilience.