Policy Program
The DRPC Policy Program assists the DRPC Director in processing, managing, coordinating, and developing national directives. The Policy Program staff, referred to as Policy Coordinators, have expertise in policy development and serve as technical advisors to IHS managers and staff at the IHS HQ and Area offices.
The DRPC Policy Coordinators:
Provide advice and technical guidance to HQ and Area staff, including to Directives and Delegations Control Officers (DDCOs), on the appropriate format, development process, and general rules for writing directives consistent with this Chapter;
Coordinate with the HQ Office Directors, subordinate managers, or other HQ staff to facilitate, track, and manage the review of national directives every two years to ensure accuracy. This responsibility includes generating a list of outdated directives and assisting HQ Office Directors, managers, and staff with identifying directives that require review and consideration for consolidation into a new or revised IHM directive.
Review proposed national directives, ensuring they are clear and concise, in the proper IHM format, and consistent with other related IHM directives or related regulatory or statutory provisions (in consultation with OGC);
Coordinate and ensure that national directives are submitted for official IHS-wide review and comment consistent with Section 1-1.13 of this Chapter.
Compile all comments received during the review and comment period and submit to HQ Office Directors and staff for review and disposition of all comments as appropriate.
Advise the HQ Office Directors and/or staff during the development of national directives as necessary.
Assign and maintain a system for numbering, tracking, and controlling the IHS national directives.
Maintain an electronic library that includes the official national IHM issuances consistent with the applicable records management policy and guidelines.
Coordinate with the Office of Information Technology (OIT) on the publication of signed national directives on the HQ IHM website; and
Consult and coordinate with OGC on legal matters related to developing and implementing an IHS directive.
The IHS publishes directives related to the administration, operation, and/or its statutory authority in the Indian Health Manual (IHM). The IHM is the electronic publication for IHS directives, and it is listed by subject matter containing HQ, Area, and SU directives in the following formats: Parts and Chapters, Circulars, Special General Memorandums (SGM), and Delegation of Authority (DOA). The IHM provides information and instruction for IHS employees, as well as contractors, and volunteers when applicable and as defined in each directive.
The IHS national directives are listed on the HQ website and managed and maintained at HQ.
Area and SU-specific directives are managed and maintained by the Areas and SUs and will be listed on their websites, respectively.
The IHM also provides guidance to the Agency and to Tribes/Tribal organizations for activities operated under an Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (ISDEAA) contract or compact but is not binding on Tribes or Tribal organizations unless required by law or explicitly accepted by a Tribe or Tribal organization in its ISDEAA contract or compact.
