Skip to main content

W. Hillabrant

Followers

28

Following

10

Co-authors

8

Public Views

Walter is a clinical and research psychologist conducting applied research , program evaluation, and policy analysis in a broad range of areas. He is a member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation and does much of his work in Indian country.

less

Jeannette Waegemakers Schiff

University of Calgary

McGill University

Thomasine Heitkamp, L.C.S.W.

Interests

Uploads

Papers by W. Hillabrant

Culturally Competent Research with American Indians and Alaska Natives: Findings and Recommendations of the First Symposium of the Work Group on American Indian Research and Program Evaluation Methodology

by Paulette Wolf, W. Hillabrant, and Joseph Stone

American Indian and Alaska Native Mental Health Research, 2005

Hard copies of monographs and back issues (Volume 1, Issue 1 through Volume 8, Issue 3) are avail... more Hard copies of monographs and back issues (Volume 1, Issue 1 through Volume 8, Issue 3) are available for purchase. Prices and ordering information can be found at This article describes the collective experience of a multidisciplinary network of researchers, practitioners, and program evaluators who support appropriate research and evaluation methods in working with Native peoples. Our experience underlines the critical importance of culture in understanding and conducting research with the diverse populations of American Indians and Alaska Natives, and documents the need for community-based, collaborative, participatory action research. We discuss the major findings of the first American Indian Research and Program Evaluation Methodology national symposium, and articulate a set of 20 guiding principles for conducting research and program evaluation.

Evaluation of the Indian Health Service Adolescent Regional Treatment Centers VOLUME I

by Judy Earp and W. Hillabrant

The goal of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of, and consumer satisfact... more The goal of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of, and consumer satisfaction with, the nine Regional Treatment Centers (RTCs) which provide alcoholism and substance abuse rehabilitation treatment to American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) youth. The primary objectives of this evaluation include: 1. The assessment of the quality and effectiveness of the RTCs as measured by outcomes achieved; 2. The determination of what the RTCs have accomplished;and 3. The establishment of guidelines and recommendations for continuous quality improvement of the RTCs.

Documenting the Economic Development Capabilities of EDA Indian Planning Grant Recipients

by Judy Earp and W. Hillabrant

This is the Final Report documenting the economic development capabilities of 77 Indian grant rec... more This is the Final Report documenting the economic development capabilities of 77 Indian grant recipients under the Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration (EDA) 301 (b) planning assistance program. EDA funds $3 million annually in planning assistance grants to Indian tribes across the country, and is planning to provide training and technical assistance (T/TA) to tribes in order to improve economic development efforts on Indian reservations. Findings in this study will facilitate the design of appropriate T/TA for these tribes.

Consolidated Report of Six Summits—Alaska, Eastern and Woodlands, Northern Plains, Northwest, Southern Plains and Southwest

by Judy Earp and W. Hillabrant

This report describes the planning, activities, and accomplishments of the six Regional Summits o... more This report describes the planning, activities, and accomplishments of the six Regional Summits on safe and affordable housing in Indian Country sponsored by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Office of Native American Programs (ONAP) in 2004. The report describes 1) the participatory approach used in planning and conducting the Summits, 2) the critical issues and barriers identified and prioritized by the participants, 3) the strategies and action plans developed to address the issues and barriers, 4) the level of participation and evaluation of the Summits by the participants, and 5) the progress achieved to date and on-going activities.

Native education at the turning point: current demographics and trends

This paper discusses demography, statistics, and trends related to native American education and ... more This paper discusses demography, statistics, and trends related to native American education and makes projections for the year 2000. Based on linear regressions of earlier census data, projections for 1990 and 2000 include: 1) fast population growth for American Indian/Alaska natives and 2) population growth shifts to urban areas.

Economic Development Capabilities of EDA Indian Planning Grant Recipients

This is the Final Report documenting the economic development capabilities of 77 Indian grant rec... more This is the Final Report documenting the economic development capabilities of 77 Indian grant recipients under the Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration (EDA) 301 (b) planning assistance program. EDA funds $3 million annually in planning assistance grants to Indian tribes across the country, and is planning to provide training and technical assistance (T/TA) to tribes in order to improve economic development efforts on Indian reservations. Findings in this study will facilitate the design of appropriate T/TA for these tribes.

Consolidated Report of the Regional Indian Housing Summits

This report describes the planning, activities, and accomplishments of the six Regional Summits o... more This report describes the planning, activities, and accomplishments of the six Regional Summits on safe and affordable housing in Indian Country sponsored by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Office of Native American Programs (ONAP) in 2004. . The report describes 1) the participatory approach used in planning and conducting the Summits, 2) the critical issues and barriers identified and prioritized by the participants, 3) the strategies and action plans developed to address the issues and barriers, 4) the level of participation and evaluation of the Summits by the participants, and 5) the progress achieved to date and on-going activities.

Protecting our Children: Train the Trainers in the Prevention and Treatment of Child Abuse and Neglect

by Judy Earp and W. Hillabrant

This Report describes activities conducted in preparing and conducting three regional training se... more This Report describes activities conducted in preparing and conducting three regional training sessions (“Training the Trainers on the prevention and treatment of child abuse and neglect [CAAN]”). The original cohort of participants worked in a broad range of programs including tribal Social Services, Mental Health, Children and Family Services, Human Services, Child Protection Services, Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) programs, law enforcement, Head Start, schools, and related programs. The 26 participants represent 17 tribes in eight states within the four Indian Health Service (IHS) Areas covered by the project—Aberdeen (darker blue: ND, SD, NE, IA), Albuquerque (tan: CO, NM)), Billings (orange: MT, WY), and Phoenix (yellow: AZ, NV, UT)—colors refer to the map in Figure 1.

Cost analysis and feasibility study of contracting out schools operated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs

As required by the Goals 2000: Educate America Act (Public Law 103 – 277) as amended, this study ... more As required by the Goals 2000: Educate America Act (Public Law 103 – 277) as amended, this study analyzed the cost of educating American Indian and Alaska native students in schools funded by the Bureau of Indian affairs (BIA) in the Department of Interior. The analyses revealed that school funding has not kept pace with increases in student enrollment, inflation, or resources needed to meet educational standards.

Evaluation of the Indian Health Service adolescent regional treatment centers

by W. Hillabrant and JoAnn Kauffman

This study evaluated the effectiveness and efficiency of and consumer satisfaction with the nine ... more

Inhalant abuse in Indian country

This monograph describes the scope and nature of the problem of inhalant abuse by American Indian... more

Evaluation of the IHS-supported alcohol and substance abuse treatment program for American Indian and Alaska native women

by Judy Earp and W. Hillabrant

The study was part of a multiphase effort initiated by the Indian Health Service to better unders... more The study was part of a multiphase effort initiated by the Indian Health Service to better understand the needs, characteristics, and outcomes of the American Indian and Alaska native women who use the services of IHS-supported alcohol and substance abuse treatment centers. It is the first prospective study of the outcomes experienced by a representative sample of AI/AN women receiving such treatment.

Methodology for adjusting IHS mortality data for miscoding race–ethnicity of American Indians and Alaska natives on state death certificates

by Judy Earp and W. Hillabrant

This study analyzed 12,086 records from the national death Index (NDI) matched to the records fro... more This study analyzed 12,086 records from the national death Index (NDI) matched to the records from the patient registration system maintained by the Indian Health Service (IHS). These records represent decedents known to be American Indians or Alaska natives. The study revealed that American Indian/Alaska native race was misclassified on 11% of the matched records; this misclassification of decedent race reaching 28% for some IHS areas.

Assessment of strategies to promote cost and management efficiencies in tribal and contract health service programs

In the face of rapidly increasing healthcare costs, and to enhance tribal self-determination, the... more

Culturally competent research with American Indians and Alaska natives

by W. Hillabrant and Paulette Wolf

This article describes the collective experience of the multidisciplinary network of researchers,... more This article describes the collective experience of the multidisciplinary network of researchers, practitioners, and program evaluators who support appropriate research and evaluation methods in working with native peoples. Our experience underlines the practical importance of culture in understanding and conducting research with the diverse populations of American Indians and Alaska natives and documents the needs for community-based, collaborative, participatory action research.

Overcoming Challenges to Business and Economic Development in Indian Country. Princeton, NJ: Mathematica Policy Research

by W. Hillabrant and Mack Rhoades Jr

American Indian tribes and Alaska Native villages have embraced the goals, objectives, and progra... more American Indian tribes and Alaska Native villages have embraced the goals, objectives, and programs associated with welfare reform, but lack of jobs limits the success of tribal programs such as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and Welfare-to-Work (WtW). Recognizing the scope and importance of the jobs problem, the federal government has promoted business and economic development in Indian country. This report presents findings from a study, done under Mathematica's WtW evaluation, of economic development initiatives in eight tribesâ€”Cheyenne River Sioux, Citizen Potawatomi, Colville Confederated Tribes, Gila River, Mississippi Choctaw, Navajo Nation, Three Affiliated Tribes, and Turtle Mountain Chippewaâ€”and two Alaska Native corporationsâ€”Bristol Bay Native Corporation and Doyon Limited.

The Evaluation of the Tribal Welfare-to-Work Grants Program: Initial Implementation Findings

by W. Hillabrant and Nancy Pindus

Overcoming Challenges to Business and Economic Development in Indian Country. Princeton, NJ: Mathematica Policy Research

by W. Hillabrant, Nancy Pindus, Judy Earp, and Mack Rhoades Jr

American Indian tribes and Alaska Native villages have embraced the goals, objectives, and progra... more American Indian tribes and Alaska Native villages have embraced the goals, objectives, and programs associated with welfare reform, but lack of jobs limits the success of tribal programs such as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and Welfare-to-Work (WtW). Recognizing the scope and importance of the jobs problem, the federal government has promoted business and economic development in Indian country. This report presents findings from a study, done under Mathematica's WtW evaluation, of economic development initiatives in eight tribesâ€”Cheyenne River Sioux, Citizen Potawatomi, Colville Confederated Tribes, Gila River, Mississippi Choctaw, Navajo Nation, Three Affiliated Tribes, and Turtle Mountain Chippewaâ€”and two Alaska Native corporationsâ€”Bristol Bay Native Corporation and Doyon Limited.

Tribal Food Assistance: A Comparison of the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

by W. Hillabrant, Nancy Pindus, and Kenneth Finegold

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as the Food Stamp Program (F... more The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as the Food Stamp Program (FSP), provides low-income households with electronic benefits that can be used to purchase food in grocery stores and supermarkets. People residing on Indian reservations, and households with American Indians and Alaska Natives residing off but near reservations, or in certain areas of Oklahoma, may have a food assistance option besides SNAP/FSP—the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR), which provides a monthly package of commodities. FDPIR was established, in part, to address concerns about the distances some reservation residents would have to travel to SNAP/FSP offices and grocery stores in order to obtain and use food stamps. Eligibility requirements for FDPIR are similar, but not identical, to those for SNAP/FSP. FDPIR households cannot participate in both FDPIR and SNAP/FSP in the same month, so those who are eligible for both programs must choose between them. T...

The Evaluation of the Tribal Welfare-to-Work Grants Program: Initial Implementation Findings

by W. Hillabrant, Nancy Pindus, Mack Rhoades Jr, and John Trutko

Culturally Competent Research with American Indians and Alaska Natives: Findings and Recommendations of the First Symposium of the Work Group on American Indian Research and Program Evaluation Methodology

by Paulette Wolf, W. Hillabrant, and Joseph Stone

American Indian and Alaska Native Mental Health Research, 2005

Hard copies of monographs and back issues (Volume 1, Issue 1 through Volume 8, Issue 3) are avail... more Hard copies of monographs and back issues (Volume 1, Issue 1 through Volume 8, Issue 3) are available for purchase. Prices and ordering information can be found at This article describes the collective experience of a multidisciplinary network of researchers, practitioners, and program evaluators who support appropriate research and evaluation methods in working with Native peoples. Our experience underlines the critical importance of culture in understanding and conducting research with the diverse populations of American Indians and Alaska Natives, and documents the need for community-based, collaborative, participatory action research. We discuss the major findings of the first American Indian Research and Program Evaluation Methodology national symposium, and articulate a set of 20 guiding principles for conducting research and program evaluation.

Evaluation of the Indian Health Service Adolescent Regional Treatment Centers VOLUME I

by Judy Earp and W. Hillabrant

The goal of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of, and consumer satisfact... more The goal of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of, and consumer satisfaction with, the nine Regional Treatment Centers (RTCs) which provide alcoholism and substance abuse rehabilitation treatment to American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) youth. The primary objectives of this evaluation include: 1. The assessment of the quality and effectiveness of the RTCs as measured by outcomes achieved; 2. The determination of what the RTCs have accomplished;and 3. The establishment of guidelines and recommendations for continuous quality improvement of the RTCs.

Documenting the Economic Development Capabilities of EDA Indian Planning Grant Recipients

by Judy Earp and W. Hillabrant

This is the Final Report documenting the economic development capabilities of 77 Indian grant rec... more This is the Final Report documenting the economic development capabilities of 77 Indian grant recipients under the Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration (EDA) 301 (b) planning assistance program. EDA funds $3 million annually in planning assistance grants to Indian tribes across the country, and is planning to provide training and technical assistance (T/TA) to tribes in order to improve economic development efforts on Indian reservations. Findings in this study will facilitate the design of appropriate T/TA for these tribes.

Consolidated Report of Six Summits—Alaska, Eastern and Woodlands, Northern Plains, Northwest, Southern Plains and Southwest

by Judy Earp and W. Hillabrant

This report describes the planning, activities, and accomplishments of the six Regional Summits o... more This report describes the planning, activities, and accomplishments of the six Regional Summits on safe and affordable housing in Indian Country sponsored by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Office of Native American Programs (ONAP) in 2004. The report describes 1) the participatory approach used in planning and conducting the Summits, 2) the critical issues and barriers identified and prioritized by the participants, 3) the strategies and action plans developed to address the issues and barriers, 4) the level of participation and evaluation of the Summits by the participants, and 5) the progress achieved to date and on-going activities.

Native education at the turning point: current demographics and trends

This paper discusses demography, statistics, and trends related to native American education and ... more This paper discusses demography, statistics, and trends related to native American education and makes projections for the year 2000. Based on linear regressions of earlier census data, projections for 1990 and 2000 include: 1) fast population growth for American Indian/Alaska natives and 2) population growth shifts to urban areas.

Economic Development Capabilities of EDA Indian Planning Grant Recipients

This is the Final Report documenting the economic development capabilities of 77 Indian grant rec... more This is the Final Report documenting the economic development capabilities of 77 Indian grant recipients under the Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration (EDA) 301 (b) planning assistance program. EDA funds $3 million annually in planning assistance grants to Indian tribes across the country, and is planning to provide training and technical assistance (T/TA) to tribes in order to improve economic development efforts on Indian reservations. Findings in this study will facilitate the design of appropriate T/TA for these tribes.

Consolidated Report of the Regional Indian Housing Summits

This report describes the planning, activities, and accomplishments of the six Regional Summits o... more This report describes the planning, activities, and accomplishments of the six Regional Summits on safe and affordable housing in Indian Country sponsored by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Office of Native American Programs (ONAP) in 2004. . The report describes 1) the participatory approach used in planning and conducting the Summits, 2) the critical issues and barriers identified and prioritized by the participants, 3) the strategies and action plans developed to address the issues and barriers, 4) the level of participation and evaluation of the Summits by the participants, and 5) the progress achieved to date and on-going activities.

Protecting our Children: Train the Trainers in the Prevention and Treatment of Child Abuse and Neglect

by Judy Earp and W. Hillabrant

This Report describes activities conducted in preparing and conducting three regional training se... more This Report describes activities conducted in preparing and conducting three regional training sessions (“Training the Trainers on the prevention and treatment of child abuse and neglect [CAAN]”). The original cohort of participants worked in a broad range of programs including tribal Social Services, Mental Health, Children and Family Services, Human Services, Child Protection Services, Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) programs, law enforcement, Head Start, schools, and related programs. The 26 participants represent 17 tribes in eight states within the four Indian Health Service (IHS) Areas covered by the project—Aberdeen (darker blue: ND, SD, NE, IA), Albuquerque (tan: CO, NM)), Billings (orange: MT, WY), and Phoenix (yellow: AZ, NV, UT)—colors refer to the map in Figure 1.

Cost analysis and feasibility study of contracting out schools operated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs

As required by the Goals 2000: Educate America Act (Public Law 103 – 277) as amended, this study ... more As required by the Goals 2000: Educate America Act (Public Law 103 – 277) as amended, this study analyzed the cost of educating American Indian and Alaska native students in schools funded by the Bureau of Indian affairs (BIA) in the Department of Interior. The analyses revealed that school funding has not kept pace with increases in student enrollment, inflation, or resources needed to meet educational standards.

Evaluation of the Indian Health Service adolescent regional treatment centers

by W. Hillabrant and JoAnn Kauffman

This study evaluated the effectiveness and efficiency of and consumer satisfaction with the nine ... more

Inhalant abuse in Indian country

This monograph describes the scope and nature of the problem of inhalant abuse by American Indian... more

Evaluation of the IHS-supported alcohol and substance abuse treatment program for American Indian and Alaska native women

by Judy Earp and W. Hillabrant

The study was part of a multiphase effort initiated by the Indian Health Service to better unders... more The study was part of a multiphase effort initiated by the Indian Health Service to better understand the needs, characteristics, and outcomes of the American Indian and Alaska native women who use the services of IHS-supported alcohol and substance abuse treatment centers. It is the first prospective study of the outcomes experienced by a representative sample of AI/AN women receiving such treatment.

Methodology for adjusting IHS mortality data for miscoding race–ethnicity of American Indians and Alaska natives on state death certificates

by Judy Earp and W. Hillabrant

This study analyzed 12,086 records from the national death Index (NDI) matched to the records fro... more This study analyzed 12,086 records from the national death Index (NDI) matched to the records from the patient registration system maintained by the Indian Health Service (IHS). These records represent decedents known to be American Indians or Alaska natives. The study revealed that American Indian/Alaska native race was misclassified on 11% of the matched records; this misclassification of decedent race reaching 28% for some IHS areas.

Assessment of strategies to promote cost and management efficiencies in tribal and contract health service programs

In the face of rapidly increasing healthcare costs, and to enhance tribal self-determination, the... more

Culturally competent research with American Indians and Alaska natives

by W. Hillabrant and Paulette Wolf

This article describes the collective experience of the multidisciplinary network of researchers,... more This article describes the collective experience of the multidisciplinary network of researchers, practitioners, and program evaluators who support appropriate research and evaluation methods in working with native peoples. Our experience underlines the practical importance of culture in understanding and conducting research with the diverse populations of American Indians and Alaska natives and documents the needs for community-based, collaborative, participatory action research.

Overcoming Challenges to Business and Economic Development in Indian Country. Princeton, NJ: Mathematica Policy Research

by W. Hillabrant and Mack Rhoades Jr

American Indian tribes and Alaska Native villages have embraced the goals, objectives, and progra... more American Indian tribes and Alaska Native villages have embraced the goals, objectives, and programs associated with welfare reform, but lack of jobs limits the success of tribal programs such as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and Welfare-to-Work (WtW). Recognizing the scope and importance of the jobs problem, the federal government has promoted business and economic development in Indian country. This report presents findings from a study, done under Mathematica's WtW evaluation, of economic development initiatives in eight tribesâ€”Cheyenne River Sioux, Citizen Potawatomi, Colville Confederated Tribes, Gila River, Mississippi Choctaw, Navajo Nation, Three Affiliated Tribes, and Turtle Mountain Chippewaâ€”and two Alaska Native corporationsâ€”Bristol Bay Native Corporation and Doyon Limited.

The Evaluation of the Tribal Welfare-to-Work Grants Program: Initial Implementation Findings

by W. Hillabrant and Nancy Pindus

Overcoming Challenges to Business and Economic Development in Indian Country. Princeton, NJ: Mathematica Policy Research

by W. Hillabrant, Nancy Pindus, Judy Earp, and Mack Rhoades Jr

American Indian tribes and Alaska Native villages have embraced the goals, objectives, and progra... more American Indian tribes and Alaska Native villages have embraced the goals, objectives, and programs associated with welfare reform, but lack of jobs limits the success of tribal programs such as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and Welfare-to-Work (WtW). Recognizing the scope and importance of the jobs problem, the federal government has promoted business and economic development in Indian country. This report presents findings from a study, done under Mathematica's WtW evaluation, of economic development initiatives in eight tribesâ€”Cheyenne River Sioux, Citizen Potawatomi, Colville Confederated Tribes, Gila River, Mississippi Choctaw, Navajo Nation, Three Affiliated Tribes, and Turtle Mountain Chippewaâ€”and two Alaska Native corporationsâ€”Bristol Bay Native Corporation and Doyon Limited.

Tribal Food Assistance: A Comparison of the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

by W. Hillabrant, Nancy Pindus, and Kenneth Finegold

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as the Food Stamp Program (F... more The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as the Food Stamp Program (FSP), provides low-income households with electronic benefits that can be used to purchase food in grocery stores and supermarkets. People residing on Indian reservations, and households with American Indians and Alaska Natives residing off but near reservations, or in certain areas of Oklahoma, may have a food assistance option besides SNAP/FSP—the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR), which provides a monthly package of commodities. FDPIR was established, in part, to address concerns about the distances some reservation residents would have to travel to SNAP/FSP offices and grocery stores in order to obtain and use food stamps. Eligibility requirements for FDPIR are similar, but not identical, to those for SNAP/FSP. FDPIR households cannot participate in both FDPIR and SNAP/FSP in the same month, so those who are eligible for both programs must choose between them. T...

The Evaluation of the Tribal Welfare-to-Work Grants Program: Initial Implementation Findings

by W. Hillabrant, Nancy Pindus, Mack Rhoades Jr, and John Trutko