120 West 1300 South

Salt Lake City, UT 84115

(801) 486-4877

The Indian Walk-In Center (IWIC) has been serving American Indian and low-income populations along the Wasatch Front since 1984. IWIC provides services to clients from numerous ethnic backgrounds and more than fifty separate tribes. All services are provided in a culturally appropriate manner.

IWIC is supported by a variety of funding sources and has formed strong partnerships with community-based organizations, private companies, and the Indian Health Service. IWIC is a member of the United Way of the Greater Salt Lake City Area and is actively involved in community-wide initiatives that positively affect support structures and improve the well-being of community members.
 

Primary Medical Care
IWIC is the Title V Indian Health Service contractor for the Wasatch Front area. Primary medical care is provided through a contractual relationship with Community Health Centers, Inc. (CHC). More than 1,000 IWIC clients received direct medical services through subcontracts formed by the IWIC.
 

Unique Characteristics
It is the mission of the Indian Walk-In Center to assist the American Indian people to strengthen their families and communities and promote/provide culturally-appropriate medical, mental health and community support services while respecting cultural values and heritage.

Most of the growth rate in the urban Indian population comes from clients relocating from impoverished rural areas. These clients have often left behind their extended families and known community support services. IWIC is an essential point of contact in assisting them with an often very hard transition.

IWIC fulfills its mission by providing crisis relief counseling, health and disease prevention education, intensive substance abuse outpatient treatment, alcohol/substance abuse prevention and intervention for at-risk teens, diabetes prevention/intervention strategies, and educational and social events. Adult residential substance abuse treatment is provided through a contract with Catholic Community Services' St. Mary's Home for Men.

IWIC serves a very young population; 68% of IWIC clients are under the age of thirty- five, with 32% of these being under fifteen. More than 25,000 client encounters and community services were provided during the year 2001. Sixty-eight percent of IWIC clients are American Indian.

Comprehensive Primary Medical Services for IWIC are provided at Community Health Centers, Inc.