The Community Utility Assistance Program (CUAP) was launched in 2022 as a partnership between Norton Sound Health Corporation, Kawerak, Inc., and Norton Sound Economic Development Corporation. Supported by Engineering Ministries International with funding from The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust, the CUAP equips communities in the Bering Strait to sustainably operate and manage their water and wastewater utilities.​

The CUAP provides hands-on support in operations, maintenance, bookkeeping, budgeting, and governance of water and wastewater utilities. It addresses the root causes of utility failures such as inadequate training, deferred maintenance, and financial challenges. By empowering local governments, the CUAP strengthens public health, reduces sanitation-related risks, and improves quality of life. Reliable services mean fewer emergencies, while financial training and governance promote long-term community sustainability.​

The goal of CUAP is a healthy and thriving communities where all people in the Bering Strait Region have self-determined access to safe, efficient, and financially sustainable utility services. EMI USA worked in partnership alongside Norton Sound Health Corporation, Kawerak, Inc., and Norton Sound Economic Development Corporation to create the CUAP.