The Del Norte County and tribal lands (DNATL) Building Healthy Communities initiative is a collaborative of residents, community organizations, and service providers that are working together to make DNATL the model of a healthy rural community. The Del Norte County and tribal lands (DNATL) area includes approximately 29,000 people and is located in the northwest corner of California. The DNATL BHC site includes four federally-recognized tribes: Elk Valley Rancheria, Resigini Rancheria,Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation, and the Yurok Tribe.
Despite the abundant natural resources, DNATL is facing many challenges, including high rates of substance abuse, low rates of high school graduation and post-secondary degrees, and high unemployment. It is against these odds that residents and other stakeholders are coming together to create a healthier DNATL—a charge being led in large part by the youth.
DNATL believes children should dream about their futures—and those dreams should be framed by family, health, safety, economic security, education, and hope. Their dreams are the community responsibility and early intervention and prevention are the critical keys to strengthening families, ensuring the economic assets of the families, preventing families from entering the justice and child welfare systems, instilling a life-long love of learning, and enhancing the health of every resident.
