[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 44 (Tuesday, March 6, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13338-13339]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-5438]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Administration for Children and Families


Tribal Consultation Meetings

AGENCY: Office of Head Start (OHS), Administration for Children and 
Families, HHS.

ACTION: Notice of meetings.

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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 these Consultation Sessions is to discuss ways to better meet the 
needs of American Indian and 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)].

DATES: March 22 and April 3, 2012.

ADDRESSES: 2012 Office of Head Start Tribal Consultation Sessions will 
be held at the following locations: Thursday, March 22, 2012--Phoenix, 
Arizona--Sheraton Crescent Hotel, 2620 West Dunlap Avenue Phoenix, AZ 
85021; Tuesday, April 3, 2012--Billings, Montana--Holiday Inn Grand 
Montana 5500 Midland Road, Billings, MT 59101.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Camille Loya, Acting Regional Program 
Manager Region XI, email [email protected] or phone (202) 401-
5964. Additional information and online meeting registration is 
available at http://www.headstartresourcecenter.org.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Department of Health and Human Services 
(HHS) announces Office of Head Start (OHS) Tribal Consultations with 
leaders of Tribal Governments operating Head Start (including Early 
Head Start) programs for each of the nine geographic regions of Head 
Start

[[Page 13339]]

where American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) programs are located. 
We are convening the OHS Tribal Consultations in conjunction with other 
Tribal Leader events in order to minimize the financial and travel 
burden for participants. The sessions in Phoenix, Arizona, and 
Billings, Montana, are being held in conjunction with the HHS 2012 
Regional Tribal Consultation Sessions. We will schedule additional 
consultations around the country for later in the year.
    The agenda for the scheduled OHS Tribal Consultations will be 
organized around the statutory purposes of Head Start Tribal 
Consultations related to meeting the needs of AI/AN children and 
families, taking into consideration funding allocations, distribution 
formulas, and other issues affecting the delivery of Head Start 
services in their geographic locations. In addition, OHS will share 
actions taken and in progress to address the issues and concerns raised 
in 2011 OHS Tribal Consultations.
    Tribal leaders and designated representatives interested in 
submitting written testimony or proposing specific agenda topics for 
these Consultation Sessions should contact Camille Loya at 
[email protected]. Proposals must be submitted at least three 
days in advance of the session and 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)]. Designees must 
have a letter from the Tribal Government authorizing them to represent 
the tribe. The letter should be submitted at least three days in 
advance of the Consultation Session to Camille Loya at (202) 205-9721 
(fax). Other representatives of tribal organizations and Native 
nonprofit organizations are welcome to attend as observers.
    A detailed report of each Consultation Session will be prepared and 
made available within 90 days of the Consultation Session to all Tribal 
Governments receiving funds for Head Start and Early Head Start 
programs. Tribes wishing to submit written testimony for the report 
should send testimony to Camille Loya at [email protected] 
either prior to the Consultation Session or within 30 days after the 
meeting.
    Oral testimony and comments from the Consultation Sessions will be 
summarized in each report without attribution, along with topics of 
concern and recommendations. Hotel and logistical information for all 
Consultation Sessions has been sent to tribal leaders via email and 
posted on the Head Start Resource Center Web site at http://www.headstartresourcecenter.org.

    Dated: February 28, 2012.
Yvette Sanchez Fuentes,
Director, Office of Head Start.
[FR Doc. 2012-5438 Filed 3-5-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4184-40-P