[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 56 (Wednesday, March 25, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12873-12874]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-6551]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Administration for Children and Families, Office of Head Start 
(OHS)


Public Comment on Tribal Consultation Sessions

AGENCY: Office of Head Start (OHS), Administration for Children and 
Families, Department of Health and Human Services.

ACTION: Notice of Public Comment on Tribal Consultation Sessions to be 
held on April 21, May 5, May 13, and May 26, 2009.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to the Improving Head Start for School Readiness Act 
of 2007, Public Law 110-134, notice is hereby given of one-day Tribal 
Consultation Sessions to be held between the Department of Health and 
Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Office of 
Head Start leadership and the leadership of Tribal governments 
operating Head Start (including Early Head Start) programs. The purpose 
of the Consultation Sessions is to discuss ways to better meet the 
needs of Indian, including Alaska Native, 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 [42 U.S.C. 9835, Section 640(l)(4)].
    Date & Location: The Consultation Sessions will be held as follows:
April 21, 2009-Albuquerque, New Mexico
May 5, 2009-Tucson, Arizona
May 13, 2009-Marksville, Louisiana
May 26, 2009-Anchorage, Alaska

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nina McFadden, Regional Program 
Manager, American Indian/Alaska Native Program Branch, Office of Head 
Start, e-mail [email protected] or (202) 205-8569. Additional 
information and online registration is available at http://www.hsnrc.org. Information on Tribal Consultation Sessions in other 
Regions will be announced once dates and locations are confirmed.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Department of Health and Human Services 
(HHS) would like to invite leaders of Tribal governments operating Head 
Start (including Early Head Start) programs to participate in a formal 
Consultation Session with OHS leadership. The Consultation Sessions 
will take place on Tuesday, April 21, 2009, in Albuquerque, New Mexico; 
Tuesday, May 5, 2009, in Tucson, Arizona; Wednesday, May 13, 2009, in 
Marksville, Louisiana; and Tuesday, May 26, 2009, in Anchorage, Alaska. 
These sessions have been scheduled in conjunction with the HHS Tribal 
consultations for the convenience of the Tribal leaders. It should be 
noted that the May 13 consultation in Marksville, Louisiana, is a joint 
session for Tribes in Regions I, II, IV, and VI. Head Start will be on 
the HHS consultation agenda for Wednesday afternoon, May 13, 2009. OHS 
Consultation Sessions in other Regions have yet to be scheduled.
    Hotel and logistical information for the Consultation Sessions is 
currently being confirmed. This information will be sent to Tribal 
leaders via e-mail and posted on the Head Start Resource Center Web 
site, http://www.hsnrc.org, as it becomes available.
    The purpose of the Consultation Sessions is to solicit input on 
ways to better meet the needs of Indian, including Alaska Native, 
children and their families, taking into consideration

[[Page 12874]]

funding allocations, distribution formulas, and other issues affecting 
the delivery of Head Start services in their geographic locations.
    The agendas for the Consultation Sessions will be developed in 
conjunction with the HHS Regional Tribal Planning Committees. Tribal 
leaders and designated representatives interested in submitting topics 
for a Consultation Session agenda should contact Nina McFadden at 
[email protected]. The proposal should include a brief 
description of the topic area along with the name and contact 
information of the suggested presenter.
    The Consultation Sessions will be conducted with elected or 
appointed leaders of Tribal governments and their designated 
representatives [42 U.S.C. 9835, Section 640(l)(4)(A)]. Representatives 
from Tribal organizations and Native non-profit organizations are 
welcome to attend as observers. Those serving as representatives of a 
Tribe must have a written letter from the Tribal government authorizing 
them to serve as the Tribal representative. This should be submitted 
not less than three days in advance of the Consultation Session to Nina 
McFadden at 202-205-9721 (fax).
    A detailed report of each Consultation Session will be prepared and 
made available within 90 days of the consultation to all Tribal 
governments receiving funds for Head Start (including Early Head Start) 
programs. Tribes wishing to submit written testimony for the 
consultation report should send it to Nina McFadden at 
[email protected] either prior to the Consultation Session or 
within 30 days after the meeting. Please note that only written 
testimony submitted to OHS will be included in the report, as an 
appendix. Testimony and comments made orally will be summarized in the 
report without attribution, along with topics of concern and 
recommendations.

    Dated: March 19, 2009.
Frank Fuentes,
Acting Director, Office of Head Start.
[FR Doc. E9-6551 Filed 3-24-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4184-01-P