Celebrating 50 Years
Passionate People. Compassionate Care.
Since 1974…
Chapa-De Indian Health was founded in 1974 after a study showed American Indians living in our area experienced worse health outcomes than the general population. Our organization was established to address the urgent health needs of local native people. Over the last 50 years, we have experienced tremendous growth and we are proud to now provide comprehensive healthcare services to over 24,000 active patients. Our core mission continues in service to native peoples. Through the years, this commitment allowed us to expand our care to the larger community and we are grateful to also support the well-being of low-income individuals and families in Placer, Nevada, and Sierra counties.
Through the Voices of Those Who Remember
Our Story
THE EARLY YEARS
1973
The Regional Medical Program of UC San Francisco awarded a grant of $33,900 to a group of American Indians from Auburn. The grant funded a community survey on the health status of American Indians residing in Placer, Sierra Nevada and El Dorado counties.
1974
Northern Sierra Indian Health Program was established with a single dental chair in a rented office space in Auburn. The founding goal was to provide dental care to local American Indians.
1975
Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act was passed. This federal policy reversed how the U.S. did business with Tribal nations. The government now recognized tribal sovereignty and self-control. This made way for tribal organizations to make decisions on many things including healthcare.
1976
Congress passed the Indian Healthcare Improvement Act. Among its most notable features, it created a mechanism for the Indian Health Service and tribal programs to bill Medicare and Medicaid.
1979
In June, we became formally incorporated and recognized by the state of California under the name Auburn Indian Health Project, Inc. Then, in October, we changed our name to Auburn Indian Health Program, Inc. Signatories on this document included Dan Potter (Chair), Hickey Murray (Vice Chair), Carolyne Foreman (Secretary/Treasurer) and Bernita Smith. Janet Rogers was the Director. It was also this year that we became a 501c3 nonprofit organization, moved to the Dewitt Center in Auburn, and added Medical Services.
CHAPA-DE INDIAN HEALTH PROGRAM
1985
1985: Our name changed to Chapa-De Indian Health Program. Linda Streeter (President) and Vi Hamil (Secretary) signed the certificate of amendment to change the name. James Thompson was the Director. The new name was suggested by Dalbert Castro through a patient contest. Chapa-De is part of a Nisenan term that loosely means where the valley meets the trees or foothills. We also opened a new clinic in El Dorado County this year.
1992
We moved to our new Atwood Road location in Auburn. Dina Ossa was the Board Chair
then. It was also in the mid ‘90s that our Board of Directors approved welcoming non-Indian
patients in need at Chapa-De.
then. It was also in the mid ‘90s that our Board of Directors approved welcoming non-Indian
patients in need at Chapa-De.
1994
Services in El Dorado County transferred from Chapa-De to Shingle Springs Tribal Health and we opened a clinic in Woodland named Yocha-De-He.
1995
Chapa-De received accreditation from the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare organizations (JCAHO)
CHAPA-DE CONTINUES TO GROW
1998
We opened a clinic in Grass Valley to make services more convenient for Nevada and Sierra County patients. We also received Special Diabetes Program for Indians (SDPI) funding from Indian Health Service and established our diabetes wellness and prevention programs.
2006
A new building was added to our Atwood campus in Auburn to house Administration, Human Resources, and Information Technology.
2008
We opened our newly built and much larger clinic at 1350 East Main Street in Grass Valley.
2009
Chapa-De started the first of several renovations at our Auburn campus to expand patient care space and capacity.
2010
The Indian Health Care Improvement Act was permanently reauthorized as part of the Affordable Care Act in March. Then, longtime CEO, Carol Ervin retired leaving a legacy of ensuring native people had access to high-quality healthcare in facilities that are welcoming, relaxing and representative of the beauty of native culture. It was also this year that recession and financial challenges led to a nearly 50% overall staff reduction.
2011
In October, we were notified that our Auburn site was selected as one of 500 Community Clinics nationwide to participate in the three-year Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Patient-Centered Medical Home Demonstration Project.
2012
The ongoing recession and financial challenges resulted in the sale of the Yocha-De-He clinic in Woodland. This year, April Moore stepped into the role of Board Chair. Chapa-De also contracted with Nevada County and began providing services to Medi-Cal patients under the Bridge to Reform program.
2013
September 2013
Chapa-De signed a Title V Tribal Self-Governance Compact with Indian Health Service
October 2013
Chapa-De was selected to participate in Sierra Health Foundation’s Capacity Building Grant program
December 2013
Under the Leadership of CEO Lisa Davies, Chapa-De returned to pre-recession staffing and service levels and was poised for major growth in alignment with Medi-Cal expansion happening under the Affordable Care Act
2014
April 2014
Started Chronic Pain Management Classes as part of a dedicated effort to reduce utilization and dependence on opioid pain medications
May 2014
Opened our Call Center in Grass Valley
December 2014
Became the first Tribal Health Program in California to receive Level 3 Patient Centered Medical Home
2015
February 2015
Major renovation completed at Auburn location to expand dental, medical and pharmacy departments and add a large exercise space for patients. The new layout also integrated medical and behavioral health services and was designed to encourage collaboration
July 2015
Brenda Adams becomes Board Chair
August 2015
Established the April Moore Memorial Scholarship in memory of longtime Chapa-De Board Member and Chair
August 2015
Started partnership with Placer Food Bank to provide outreach and onsite registration assistance for CalFresh
2016
July 2016
Chapa-De collaborated with Latino Leadership Council (LLC), through funding provided by Sutter Health, to create diabetes education curriculum for Spanish speaking community members
October 2016
First dental screening and education event offered at Rock Creek Elementary. This would be the first of many school and daycare-based events to serve thousands of students in Placer and Nevada Counties.
November 2016
Began offering Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) for Opioid Dependence.
2017
February 2017
Added a Community Health Representative to support American Indian Patients
March 2017
Resumed offering prenatal care services and the Baby Luv Program at the Auburn Health Center in response to the lack of providers offering this service in the area for Medi-Cal patients
July 2017
Implemented a new and more robust Electronic Health Record system called eClincalWorks
2018
May 2018
Chapa-De Telehealth Program featured by the Center for Care Innovations in video series and at telehealth conference
September 2018
Chapa-De receives Tribal Opioid Response Program grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
December 2018
Established Care Coordination Services to support patients to effectively navigate healthcare systems and address social needs
2019
March 2019
Prenatal services expanded to Grass Valley Health Center
August 2019
Implemented Advanced Access Scheduling to reduce wait times for patient appointments
October 2019
Begin first discussions with Dignity Health on developing a Physician Residency Training Program in Grass Valley
2020
February 2020
Established an Incident Response Team to respond to what would become the COVID-19 Pandemic. This team would help enact enhanced safety precautions, COVID-19 testing and drive-thru care services, expanded telehealth services, COVID-19 mass vaccination and education campaigns, and employee wellbeing efforts.
March 2020
Temporarily reduced dental services to emergency services only and instated Chapa-De’s first ever work from home arrangements for non-essential staff to slow the spread of COVID-19.
April 2020
Opened new Administration Office at 2485 Bell Road
2021
February 2021
Restarted Chapa-De News, a quarterly newsletter dedicated to connecting with native community members and American Indian culture.
March 2021
Completed renovation of 17,000 square feet at the Auburn & Grass Valley Health Centers adding phlebotomy labs and further expanding medical, dental and diabetes wellness and prevention services
December 2021
Administered a total of 13,174 COVID-19 Vaccinations and 4,232 COVID-19 tests through the year
2022
April 2022
Added Maternal Child Health Program to provide added support, education and health management for women and children
July 2022
Opened a newly built 10,000 square foot Administration Building in Grass Valley
October 2022
Patients started having easier access to Physical Therapy services. Chapa-De’s new Tribal FQHC designation under Medi-Cal established ability to contract directly with specialists for services.
2023
Added Endodontic Services
Became a founding partner of the Sierra Nevada Family Residency Program
2024
Chapa-De Celebrates our 50th Year
Preparations are underway to break ground on a new Rocklin Health Center
Chapa-De surpassed 300 employees serving over 25,000 active patients