[Federal Register: March 25, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 56)]
[Notices]
[Page 12873-12874]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr25mr09-114]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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 nina.mcfadden@acf.hhs.gov 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
nina.mcfadden@acf.hhs.gov. 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
nina.mcfadden@acf.hhs.gov 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