June 7 Invitation to NGOs:
(Meeting Agenda)

Dear Colleague,

The U. S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is currently conducting a study to determine the feasibility of a tribal self-governance demonstration project for programs and activities of the Department. You may be aware that the concept of tribal self-governance expresses the inherent sovereignty of American Indian and Alaska Native tribes and the government to government relationship this implies. Congress increasingly has recognized this unique relationship by enacting legislation that provides the opportunity for tribes to assume the direct management of federal programs, including the flexibility for tribes to set tribal priorities and tailor the programs to their particular needs.

Currently tribal self-governance in HHS is applicable only to Indian Health Service programs. Congress, however, recently expressed interest in extending self-governance to additional HHS programs by passing the Tribal Self-Governance Amendments of 2000 (P.L. 106-260). Title VI of the Amendments (copy enclosed) requires that HHS conduct “a study to determine the feasibility of a tribal self-governance demonstration project for appropriate programs, services, functions, and activities (or portions thereof) of the Department.” The project would allow tribes to assume direct management of a tribal share of funds for HHS programs, such as Child Welfare. A report to Congress on the study is due in February 2002.

You are invited to a meeting on June 7, 2000 for a briefing and discussion of the study. The meeting will be held in the Discovery II room of the Holiday Inn, 500 C Street, SW, Washington, D.C., from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

The meeting will be co-chaired by HHS and tribal representatives from the Tribal Self- Governance Advisory Committee. An agenda will be available at the study website in about two weeks. You can access the website at (http://aspe.hhs.gov/SelfGovernance/). Also posted at the website are transcripts of consultation meetings that have been held with tribal representatives. These provide the tribal point of view and recommendations on study issues.

If you have any questions, or need additional information, please contact Michael Herrell, Department of Health and Human Services (202-690-5739). We look forward to seeing you at the meeting.

Enclosure (AGENDA)