The Office of Head Start (OHS) schedule Tribal Consultation sessions every year. These sessions are held by leaders from U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Administration for Children and Families (ACF), and OHS leadership as well as the leadership of tribal governments operating Head Start programs. Discussions center around how to better meet the needs of American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) children and their families, taking into consideration funding allocations, distribution formulas, and other issues affecting the delivery of Head Start services in their geographic locations.

The Tribal Consultations are held as part of HHS Tribal Consultation sessions.

Dates and Times

• Tuesday, July 9, 2024, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. MT (Fort McDowell, AZ)
• Wednesday, July 10, 2024, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. MT (Fort McDowell, AZ)

How to Register

Register now for the in-person consultation sessions at the We-Ko-PA Casino Resort in Fort McDowell, AZ.

For more information, contact Todd Lertjuntharangool, OHS Regional Program Manager, Region XI, at Todd dot Lertjuntharangool at acf dot hhs dot gov or (toll-free) 866-763-6481.

Additional Information

The agenda for the scheduled joint consultation reflects the statutory purposes of Head Start Tribal Consultations related to meeting the needs of AIAN children and families. It will focus on topics such as the Tribal Request for Information and recent changes to AIAN Head Start eligibility requirements. The consultation will also provide an opportunity for discussion on the review and promulgation of Head Start Program Performance Standards under section 641A(a)(2)(D) of the Head Start Act. OHS will also highlight the progress made in addressing issues and concerns raised in the previous OHS Tribal Consultations.

The consultation session includes elected or appointed leaders of tribal governments and their designated representatives. Designees must have a letter from the tribal government authorizing them to represent the tribe. Tribal governments must submit the designee letter at least three days before the consultation session to AIANheadstart at acf dot hhs dot gov. Other representatives of tribal organizations and Native nonprofit organizations are welcome to attend as observers.

Within 45 days of the consultation session, a detailed report of each consultation session will be available for all tribal governments receiving funds for Head Start programs. Tribes can submit written testimony for the report to AIANheadstart at acf dot hhs dot gov prior to each consultation session or within 30 days of each meeting. OHS will summarize oral testimony and comments from the consultation sessions in each report without attribution, along with topics of concern and recommendations.

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Last Updated: October 21, 2024