Who We Are

Sonoma County Indian Health Project, Inc. (SCIHP) was established in 1971 by a group of leaders from the Indian communities of Sonoma County. Their goal was to provide health care for all Indians of Sonoma County and to provide services in a manner which is sensitive to the culture and traditions of the local Indian Tribes.

Over the years, SCIHP has steadily progressed from a small organization consisting of a single dental chair and an exam table to the multimillion-dollar comprehensive health care facility it is today. In 1999, the Board of Directors acquired private land. In collaboration with the Tribes, SCIHP secured several grants through HUD (Housing and Urban Development) to begin building our Facility. Our initial operation revenue was through the Indian Health Service, under the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (P.L. 93-638). In 2001, we were able to move into our newly built facility, which is where we are presently located. In 2020, SCIHP acquired several acres of private land with the intent to build a new facility.

SCIHP’s tribal consortium includes, Cloverdale Rancheria of Pomo Indians of California, Dry Creek Rancheria Band of Pomo Indians, Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria, Lytton Rancheria of California, Manchester Band of Pomo Indians of the Manchester Rancheria, Kashia Band of Pomo Indians of Stewarts Point Rancheria, which have designated SCIHP as a Tribal Organization, under P.L. 93-638. SCIHP has 501(c)(3) status and is incorporated by the State of California as a non-profit organization.

SCIHP is funded by State, County and private funds. Through a special relationship with the California Rural Indian Health Board (CRIHB), SCIHP is sub-contracted with the federal government. In effect, this establishes SCIHP as a tribal organization under the provisions of P.L. 93-638, and as such, performs the functions of the Indian Health Service throughout our assigned service area. This relationship carries certain responsibilities to the tribal governments, which comprise our contractual relationship.