March 19, 2001

Dear Tribal Leader,

We are pleased to announce that there will be at least four regional and one national consultation session with tribal representatives as part of a study to determine the feasibility of a tribal self-governance demonstration project for programs of the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The dates and locations of the meetings are enclosed. You are invited to participate in one or more of these sessions.

The study requires consultation with tribes, states, counties, municipalities, program beneficiaries, and interested public interest groups. The Tribal Self-Governance Advisory Committee and HHS will co-chair the consultation sessions. During the sessions, we will be seeking views on the feasibility of a demonstration project, including which HHS programs might be included in a demonstration, and on design issues such as accountability and quality.

In the way of background, tribal self-governance in HHS is currently applicable to Indian Health Service programs. Congress, however, expressed interest in extending self-governance to other HHS programs by passing the Tribal Self-Governance Amendments of 2000 (P.L. 106- 260). Title VI of the Amendments requires 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. This means that HHS must assess the feasibility of a self-governance project for tribal shares of HHS programs, such as Head Start and Child Welfare. A report to Congress on the findings of the study is due in February 2002.

We hope that you can join us for one of these sessions. An agenda, briefing materials and details on the meeting sites and hotel availability will follow within two weeks.

If you have questions, or need additional information, please contact Michael Herrell, Department of Health and Human Services (202-690-5739), or Maureen Kinley, Coordinator Self-Governance Communication and Education Project, (360) 384-2301. You can also access the Self-Governance website at HHS (http://aspe.hhs.gov/SelfGovernance).

/S/	/S/
Delores L. Parron, Ph.D.	Merle Boyd
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (Program Systems)	Chairman, HHS Advisory Committee

TRIBAL SELF-GOVERNANCE FEASIBILITY STUDY
CONSULTATION SCHEDULE

Friday, April 13, 2001 Minneapolis, MN
9:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M

Regional Consultation for Aberdeen, Albuquerque, Bemidji, and Billings Area Tribes
(HHS Regions II, V, VII and VIII)

Thursday, April 26, 2001 Nashville, TN
9:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M.

Regional Consultation for Nashville and Oklahoma Area Tribes
(HHS Regions, I, III, IV, and VI)

Tuesday, May 1, 2001 San Francisco, CA
9:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M.

Regional Consultation for Navajo, Phoenix, Tucson, Sacramento and Portland Area Tribes
(HHS Regions IX and X)

Thursday, May 3, 2001 Anchorage, AK
9:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M.

Regional Consultation for Alaska Native Villages
(HHS Region X)

Thursday, June 14, 2001 Washington, DC
9:00 A. M. - 5:00 P.M.

National Wrap-Up Session - This session will allow those not able to attend the regional meetings a further opportunity for input. Participants also will have the chance to see and react to the recommendations that have emerged from the previous sessions.
(All IHS Areas and All HHS Regions)