OTAP News and Events

We are excited to relay that the link to the 60-day federal register notice (FRN) has been published. The FRN is an opportunity for stakeholders to provide comments on the SUPRT and burden estimates associated with the use of the tool. Please send comments to the SAMHSA Reports Clearance Officer, 5600 Fishers Lane, Room 15E45, Rockville, Maryland 20857, OR email a copy to samhsapra@samhsa.hhs.gov. The draft tool can be found at GPRA Modernization Act of 2010. Written comments should be received by October 15, 2024.

SAMHSA remains committed to improving Tribal behavioral health and continues to honor the government-to-government relationship. If you have any questions about Tribal behavioral health, please contact the SAMHSA Office of Tribal Affairs and Policy (OTAP) at otap@samhsa.hhs.gov.

Dear Tribal Leader Letter - Proposed Project: SAMHSA Unified Client-Level Performance Reporting Tool (SUPRT)—(OMB No. 0930-NEW) (PDF | 218 KB)

Time:

• Wednesday, November 6, 3 – 4:30 p.m. ET: REGISTER HERE!
• Thursday, December 5, 1 – 2:30 p.m. ET: REGISTER HERE!

SAMHSA is beginning to modernize the TCP. This is necessary because the current policy was approved in 2016 prior to the reorganization of SAMHSA under the 21st Century Cures Act. The way information is shared and how SAMHSA collaborates with Tribes and Tribal Organizations is different in our current environment as compared to pre-COVID. An update is also needed to align the SAMHSA TCP Policy with the 2023 HHS TCP.

There will be two virtual Tribal Consultations. You can register for the Tribal Consultation at the links listed above.

In addition to considering input during these two virtual consultations, SAMHSA will accept written comments from Tribes until 5 p.m. ET on January 6, 2025. Comments can be emailed to otap@samhsa.hhs.gov.

SAMHSA looks forward to your participation and ongoing partnership. Please contact CAPT Karen Hearod, Director, Office of Tribal Affairs and Policy, at 202-868-9931 or otap@samhsa.hhs.gov with any questions.

Time: 12 p.m. ET

Information about the SAMHSA TTAC and the agenda for this meeting can be found on the TTAC Advisory Council. During the meeting, SAMHSA TTAC delegates and SAMHSA leadership will discuss SAMHSA programs/initiatives and tribal behavioral health priorities.

• TTAC Meeting Agenda (PDF | 308 KB)

Review the TTAC Charter for more information on TTAC function, activities, and structure.

Time: 2 – 3:30 p.m. ET

This session will illustrate the power of traditions and cultural practices in healing. For example, many communities hold ceremonies when service members leave for their service and again when they return. Practices like sweat lodges, talking circles, honor songs, and drumming all work to heal the mind, body, and soul.

Presenters:

• Barbara Aragon (Laguna Pueblo, Crow), Technical Assistant, SAMHSA TTA
• Raymond Daw (Navajo Nation), Behavioral Health Consultant, National Association of Behavioral Health Consultants
• Ivan Sam (Navajo Nation), Cultural Ambassador, The Veterans Art Project

From August 6-7, 2024, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA’s) Office of Tribal Affairs and Policy (OTAP) and the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP) hosted the Indigenous Prevention Summit in St. Louis, Missouri. The gathering brought together just under 100 individuals working in prevention programming for American Indian, Alaska Native (AI/AN), Pacific Islanders, and Kānaka Maoli (Native Hawaiian, in Western terms) communities.   

The purpose of the Summit was to share best practices and experiences related to expanding Indigenous prevention programs and opportunities. The goal of the Summit was to provide all attendees with valuable insight and information that can help improve prevention-related outcomes. This included strategies that provide evidence of successful service to Indigenous communities, identification of emerging and innovative areas that require focus to guide prevention work and increasing shared knowledge about effective prevention in Indigenous communities nationwide. SAMHSA supports prevention work as part of an inclusive continuum of care, from harm reduction to recovery support, across the lifespan. This Summit was a continuation of SAMHSA’s ongoing summit series, welcoming prevention experts and newcomers to build the future of prevention together.  

Time: 2 - 3:30 p.m. ET

Hosted by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

This listening session seeks input from American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) Service Members, Veterans and their Families (SMVF), and community leaders serving this population.

Listening Session Goals:

• Better understand the views and concerns of tribal communities and find ways to build a strong tribal program for suicide prevention
• Ensure representation and elevate indigenous knowledge throughout all aspects of program planning and implementation

Time: 2 – 3:30 p.m. ET

This session will provide an overview of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA’s) National Tribal Behavioral Health Agenda and will describe resources available to promote the mental health and well-being of Tribal communities.

Presenters:

• Captain Karen Hearod, M.S.W., LCSW (Choctaw Nation), Director, Office of Tribal Affairs and Policy, SAMHSA
• Sienna Hunter-Cuyjet, LMSW, LCSW, LICSW, ACSW (Shinnecock Nation), Certified Trauma & Resilience Practitioner, SAMHSA Tribal Training & Technical Assistance (TTA) Center, Three Star Government Solutions, LLC

Time: 2 – 3:30 p.m. ET

This session will provide an overview of the history of military service among American Indian and Alaska Native people. It will emphasize the importance of practicing cultural humility and trauma-informed care.

Presenters:

• Gregorio Kishketon, D.Ph. (Tribal Elder with the Water Clan – Kickapoo Tribe of Oklahoma), Program Analyst, Center for Minority Veterans, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
• Scott Barton (Mashantucket Pequot/Mohawk), Director of Tribal Initiatives, Suicide Prevention Resource Center, University of Oklahoma

Time: 4 - 5:30 p.m. ET

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is announcing a webinar and conference call (PDF | 93 KB) for prospective applicants interested in applying for fiscal year 2024 Tribal Opioid Response Grants (Short Title: TOR), TI-24-009. The webinar and conference call will be led by SAMHSA Office of Tribal Affairs and Policy staff.

Time: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. ET

Information about the SAMHSA TTAC and the agenda for this meeting can be found on the SAMHSA website. During the meeting, SAMHSA TTAC delegates and SAMHSA leadership will discuss SAMHSA programs/initiatives and tribal behavioral health priorities.

Review the TTAC Charter for more information on TTAC function, activities, and structure.

Dear Tribal Leader Letter - TTAC Meeting (PDF | 185 KB)