Tanana Chiefs Conference Inc - Behavioral Health

Tribal Care Rooted in Alaska’s Interior

Tanana Chiefs Conference (TCC) Behavioral Health serves as a cornerstone of behavioral health care for Alaska Native communities across the Interior, including Fairbanks and dozens of surrounding villages. As part of a 42-member tribal consortium, TCC delivers treatment and support guided by traditional values, cultural understanding, and respect for sovereignty. Care is available in person or via telemedicine, ensuring that even clients in remote areas can access consistent, qualified support. Guided by Ch’eghwtsen’, meaning “true love” in the Lower Tanana dialect, TCC’s philosophy centers on compassion, dignity, and community wellness.

Integrated Behavioral Health and Addiction Treatment

TCC provides a full continuum of prevention, early intervention, and treatment services through outpatient, intensive outpatient, and residential levels of care. Evidence-based therapies, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), motivational interviewing, and trauma-informed care, address both substance use and co-occurring mental health disorders. The Behavioral Health Aide (BHA) Program places trained aides in local communities under licensed supervision, blending clinical expertise with cultural understanding to address issues like grief, depression, substance misuse, and suicide risk. When appropriate, medications for addiction treatment (MAT) such as buprenorphine or naltrexone are used alongside counseling and recovery planning to support long-term stability.

Residential Programs and Healing Environments

TCC operates three key residential programs designed to meet community needs at different life stages. The Old Minto Family Recovery Camp offers a 35-day traditional treatment experience at the historic Old Minto Village site, fostering recovery through cultural practices and family involvement. Paul Williams House provides supportive housing for adults managing chronic mental illness, helping residents build daily living and social skills for greater independence. For youth ages 13 to 17, Graf Rheeneerhaanjii, “the Healing Place,” is a voluntary residential program providing trauma-informed treatment and education for teens facing serious emotional or co-occurring substance use challenges.

Access, Support, and Community Impact

TCC Behavioral Health removes barriers to care by offering transportation assistance, case management, and social service coordination. Clients receive help securing housing, employment, and educational support, strengthening long-term recovery outcomes. Tobacco cessation, overdose prevention, and naloxone education are integrated into all levels of care. Outpatient services operate weekdays in multiple Fairbanks locations, while Old Minto Family Recovery Camp, Paul Williams House, and Graf Rheeneerhaanjii provide 24/7 residential support. Through its connected network of local Behavioral Health Aides, TCC extends its mission of “Healthy, Strong, Unified Tribes” across 235,000 square miles of Alaska’s Interior.