About IHFS

Staff - Vision - Strategic plan

IHFS staff

Ozzy Escarate

Office director

Jamie Harvey

ICWA administrator

Jeremy Taylor

Tribal health liaison

Alex Merrill

Tribal health epidemiologist

Hilary Makris

Health program manager

Kassie John

Opioid and tobacco coordinator

We strive to be strong advocates for equitable access to public health and family service programs and resources.

IHFS mission

The Office of American Indian and Alaska Native Health & Family Services (IHFS) works with 8 federal recognized tribes across the state of Utah alongside the Indian Health System (I/T/U).

Scope of responsibliity

Develop strategies and policy to achieve the established health priority of improving Indian Health in Utah.
Facilitate working relationships between DHHS, tribal health programs, local health departments, other state agencies, and private provider sectors.
Work with state, tribal and federal agencies on policy reform.
Provide education, training and technical assistance to those tribes and DHHS divisions and programs.
Assure the availability of DHHS programs for Indian citizens on or off the reservation.
Active facilitation and involvement with the Utah Indian Health Advisory Board (UIHAB), and facilitate the consultation process.