On March 20, 2025, Mercy Housing and Denver Indian Health and Family Services, Inc. came together to celebrate the groundbreaking of the 901 Navajo Street project, located in the La Alma-Lincoln Park neighborhood. This project is a collaboration with Mercy Housing, the Native American Housing Circle, and Wellpower. It will feature 190 units of affordable and low-income housing, along with DIHFS's 18,000 square foot clinic. 

We have a significant opportunity to address the housing needs of our community while expanding the health services we provide. Throughout our work, DIHFS has gained invaluable insights from our community partnerships, embodying trust, resilience, strength, support, encouragement, hope, and the importance of being present during challenging times. These partnerships reflect these values, and we are honored to be part of such a strong and resilient community. 

The collaboration with Mercy Housing, the Native American Housing Circle, and Wellpower is essential to the success of the 901 Navajo project. 

Thank you all for joining us on this journey as we celebrate this monumental Achievement. 

Adrianne Maddux
Executive Director

At DIHFS, we want to take care of your whole health - not just your teeth, but your mind and body too. That's why we ask questions about depression and substance use, even at the dentist's office. 

Why are you asking me this at the dentist?
Your mouth and your body are connected! Health problems like depression, anxiety, and substance use can affect your teeth and gums. Many people visit the dentist more often than a doctor, so we use this time to check in and offer support. 
We offer these screenings to: 

• Help you get the care you need - If you need support, we can connect you with doctors, counselors, or other services. 
• Keep you healthy - It's good to notice any problems early, so we check in on your health wherever we can. 
• Protect your teeth and gums - Mental health and substance use can lead to problems like gum disease or tooth decay. 
  
• Support you in more places - Whether you're at the doctor or the dentist, we're here to help with the health of your whole person. 
  

What happens after the screening?
The screening is quick and private. If we find anything that might need attention, we'll talk with you about helpful next steps. There is no pressure - just support. 
We care about you - not just your smile, but your whole well-being. If you have questions, ask your provider. We're here for you! 

Many of our Native relatives who come to Denver in need of healthcare often feel disappointed to discover that we are not part of the Indian Health Service (IHS) system. As much as we value IHS's legacy, there are common misconceptions about who we are and what services we provide. 

We are an Urban Indian Health Organization, partially funded through a contract with IHS. However, urban organizations only receive about 1% of the IHS budget, which is spread across 41 programs. It is important to recognize that even within the IHS system, funding often falls short of meeting the vast needs of our communities. Given that many of our relatives face difficulties in affording services outside of our clinic, the reality is that referrals to specialists, screenings, mammograms, colonoscopies, emergency services, and other essential care can be an overwhelming financial burden. We sincerely wish we could alleviate these challenges, but unfortunately we currently lack the necessary resources. Having insurance can help reduce these barriers and open doors to the care our relatives truly deserve. 

When our relatives have insurance, it also supports DIHFS's financial health. DIHFS only receives a small portion of our funding from IHS; around 82% of our support comes from federal, state, and foundation grants, along with insurance reimbursement. We are continually looking for funding when these grants end, and insurance reimbursement is inconsistent. A large portion of our grants are federal, and we do not know what the future holds for continued funding. 

We need help to sustain our clinic in the future. We encourage Medicaid enrollment services for our relatives. We understand that many families in our community qualify for Medicaid benefits but may not be enrolled or utilizing these services. At our clinic, we are here to help you navigate this process. Our team can assist you with enrolling in Medicaid, providing a welcoming and supportive environment where you won't have to face complicated state or county offices through the process. 
Our culturally responsive staff is ready to walk alongside you, answering your questions and helping you through this challenge. If you enroll in Medicaid, you will have access to a wide array of services that can make a difference in your healthcare journey. Medicaid covers vital services that support your wellbeing, from dental care and screenings to specialty referrals and emergency care. 

Greetings everyone, 

We are currently facing challenging times with the new administration. As a Native organization, we draw strength and resilience from the legacy of our ancestors as we navigate the changes occurring in our country. 

It is disheartening to hear about potential funding cuts and the impact they may have on our clinic. We want to assure you that the mission of DIHFS remains strong, and we are committed to providing services to our relatives. 
As we seek ways to sustain our clinic considering these threats, our goal is to ensure that there is no impact on the services our relatives receive at DIHFS. 
We encourage our families to utilize their insurance at our clinic. Doing so will help us continue to provide the quality of care that our loved one deserve, ensuring that we remain financially stable. 
Let us address the importance of insurance coverage. Many of our relatives face difficulties affording services outside our clinic. Referrals to specialists, screenings, mammograms, colonoscopies, emergency services, and other essential care can create overwhelming financial burdens. 
We sincerely wish we could alleviate some of these challenges, but we currently lack the necessary resources. Having insurance can help reduce these barriers and open doors to the care our relatives truly need. Our enrollment specialists are onsite to help our relatives with the coverage they need. 
Another way to sustain our clinic is through charitable giving. You can support us by donating on our Colorado Gives page. Charitable contributions allow us to adapt to changes in funding and quickly respond to emergencies, such as the pandemic and current funding concerns. Your donation is also tax-deductible. 

Together, we can ensure that our relatives receive the care and support they need and deserve. We are not alone on this journey; we are here to help our relatives thrive in their healthcare journey. 

Adrianne Maddux,
​DIHFS Executive Director