How Does the CARE System Supports Indigenous Communities?

CARE Systems in Indigenous Communities

The SMRT1 Community Action Response & Education (CARE) System, has been successfully deployed on numerous Tribal Lands and Indigenous Communities in both the USA and Canada.

Addressing access challenges to critical healthcare in Indigenous communities has become an important issue, with a strong need for a technology solution that strengthens rather than replaces traditional healing systems.

As more communities are striving for self-determination through local control and a reduced dependence on external resources, a major shift is now taking place. 

Respectfully implementing a healthcare technology solution within these communities, requires a collaborative approach and includes these time-tested methods:

  • Involving traditional knowledge holders in planning.

  • Respecting Tribal government in all decisions.

  • Following honorable engagement practices.

  • Involving the community throughout process.

  • Incorporating tribal health practices.

SMRT1 Health Solutions is pleased to work closely with Amy Knox, from San Diego California.  Amy is a registered Native American and her understanding of the healthcare challenges faced by Native Americans runs deep.

  • Historic First Implementation

    Under Amy Knox's guidance, SMRT1 created the first Tribal implementation of its healthcare vending technology with the Southern Indian Health Council; establishing a model that centers on the Tribal voice, respects Tribal sovereignty, and provides technology that strengthens rather than replaces cultural healing systems.

  • Expanding Tribal Partnerships

    Building on this foundation, SMRT1 has expanded to multiple Tribal nations, including Casino Pauma, Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes, Pueblo of Acoma and the Mi'kmaq Nation; each implementation uniquely adapted to specific Tribal contexts, while still maintaining the core SMRT1 CARE System framework.

  • Indigenous Health Outcomes

    These implementations are helping to address the disproportionate impact of healthcare access and other challenges in many Indigenous communities, where health and other disparities can be very significant and often life-altering.

The CARE System Implementation Methodology

Sovereignty-Respecting Framework

Our implementation approach centers on Tribal governance at every stage:

  1. Respecting Individual Sovereignty: Addressing each community as a unique sovereign nation.

  2. Initial Engagement: Formal request to Tribal leadership.

  3. Stakeholder Engagement: Working with the appropriate committee or designated individuals per leaderships request.

  4. Implementation Planning: Collaborative development of adaptive approach.

  5. Reengaging Leadership Approval: Reengaging with leadership when community affecting decisions need to be made.

  6. Community Guided Implementation: Tribal leadership and Elders guiding deployment .

  7. Continuous Adaptation: Ongoing refinement based on tribal feedback.

Data Sovereignty Protocol

Our approach ensures complete tribal ownership of information:

  1. Sovereignty Recognition: Acknowledging Tribal authority over data.

  2. Transparent Collection: Clear communication about information gathered.

  3. Tribal Storage Solutions: Data maintained on Tribal systems when preferred.

  4. Usage Limitations: Tribal data usage approved for any purposes.

  5. Ownership Documentation: Formal agreements protecting Tribal Sovereignty.

  6. Deletion Rights: Tribal authority to remove or redact data at any time.

Cost-Effective Healthcare Delivery in Tribal Settings

The SMRT1 CARE System provides significant value to Tribal healthcare systems through:

  • Automated distribution that extends service reach without proportional staffing increases

  • Enhanced data collection to support grant applications and funding

  • Integration with existing Tribal health programs to maximize impact

  • Support for behavioral health and mental health initiatives

  • Sustainable funding model that reduces dependence on uncertain federal grant programs

  • Creating continuity of healthcare services during times of uncertainty

  • Maintaining essential Tribal health access regardless of federal policy changes