The Indian Health Service National Tribal Advisory Committee on Behavioral Health (NTAC), a group that advises the Division of Behavioral Health and the IHS director on behavioral health programmatic issues, will convene October 25-26 in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
During this upcoming meeting, the committee members will formulate recommendations for IHS leadership to review and consider based on the comments received through tribal consultation and urban confer on the behavioral health initiative funding.
Prior to engaging in tribal consultation and urban confer, the IHS DBH convened the advisory committee to strategize a formal consultation and confer plan. On May 18, the IHS initiated formal tribal consultation and urban confer on a funding mechanism to distribute behavioral health initiatives that are currently distributed through grants. The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2018 explanatory statement encouraged IHS to transfer behavioral health initiative funding through Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act compacts and contracts rather than grants to ensure that contract support costs are authorized and payable.
The NTAC was originally scheduled to meet in early September in Albuquerque, New Mexico. However, the meeting was postponed to ensure the committee members are afforded adequate time to review the input in advance of the meeting in October. While no decision has been made, the advisory committee will develop recommendations on the various aspects needed to consider contemplating a decision.
The NTAC was established by the IHS director in 2008 as a policy and advocacy body of tribal leaders providing advice and recommendations in support of IHS’ efforts to address behavioral health in American Indian and Alaska Natives communities. The committee is composed exclusively of elected tribal leaders that represent each of the 12 IHS Areas. For more information on the NTAC and the behavioral health initiative funding, please visit our Tribal Consultation and Urban Confer page.
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