Piaġiq Wellness Program to Keep Alaska Native Families Together
Official title: Building a Piaġiq (Wellness) Intervention to Promote Connectedness and Wellbeing
Funded at Washington State University · NIH-11233074 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A community-based program designed with Alaska Native partners to strengthen cultural connections and wellbeing to help prevent child removals due to alcohol problems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pullman, United States) |
| Project start | December 15, 2017 |
| Project end | August 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $227,317 |
| NIH project number | 2P60AA026112-06 |
| Project ID | NIH-11233074 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Families and communities in Alaska Native regions, especially those with concerns about alcohol-related child welfare risk.
✕Less likely to help
The program may not directly benefit families not experiencing or at risk for alcohol-related child welfare issues.
What this research studies
This grant supports a community-driven intervention built on the Indigenous Connectedness Framework, focusing on family, community, culture, and relational practices to reduce alcohol misuse and prevent child removals. It collaborates with Tribal partners in northern Alaska and uses culturally grounded activities to build protective factors for children and families. The approach emphasizes safety, cultural pride, and intergenerational connections to support healthy family environments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the program could help keep Alaska Native families together and reduce child welfare removals linked to alcohol misuse.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work suggests culturally grounded, relational approaches can strengthen protective factors and reduce risk behaviors.
Where this research is happening
-
Washington State University
Pullman, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ullrich, Jessica Saniguq — Washington State University
- Study coordinator: Ullrich, Jessica Saniguq
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.