Tribal Public Health and Relations

Partnering With Federally Recognized Tribes

The governmental public health system includes tribal nations and Indian health programs as primary partners with the Washington State Department of Health (DOH), the State Board of Health, and local health jurisdictions.

The Centennial Accord created a unique government-to-government relationship between many federally recognized tribal governments and the state of Washington. State agencies, including DOH, have responsibilities for their work with federally recognized tribes as outlined in RCW 43.376. To ensure we fulfill these responsibilities, DOH follows a consultation and collaboration procedure, which includes:

Sending Dear Tribal Leader letters to elected tribal officials when developing and implementing policies, agreements, and programs that directly affect Indian tribes.
Consulting with tribal nations to promote government-to-government partnerships and ensure effective health services for Indian people.
Designating the tribal relations director as the liaison to tribal nations.
Ensuring staff who work with tribal governments and public health partners receive training on tribal history and culture and tribal relationships with federal and state governments.
Submitting an annual report to the governor for The Centennial Accord meeting.

Dear Tribal Leader Letters

2025

Date	Letter Subject	Meeting Information	Additional Materials
May 16	Consultation – Tribal foundational public health services funding allocation for state biennium 2025-2027 (PDF)	Roundtable 1: 1:30-3 p.m. May 28 - Zoom link Roundtable 2: 3-4:30 p.m. June 4 - Zoom link Consultation: 3:30-5 p.m. June 11 - Zoom link
May 15	Informative – information on agency rulemaking for May 1-15, 2025 (PDF)
May 14	Informative – updates to Tribal shellfish consent decree and attachments of minimum position requirements (PDF)
May 13	Collaborative – source water protection grant guidelines update (PDF)	Listening session: 3:30-5 p.m. June 16 - Zoom link
May 7	Informative – 2025 Drinking Water State Revolving Fund construction projects intended use plan (PDF)
May 1	Informative – information on agency rulemaking for April 16-30, 2025 (PDF)
April 29	Informative – update flu and RSV immunization dashboard data (PDF)
April 16	Informative – information on agency rulemaking for April 1-15, 2025 (PDF)
April 14	Informative – 988 steering committee (PDF)
April 9	Collaborative – residential treatment facility and psychiatric hospital Tribal attestation fee rulemaking hearing and public comment (PDF)	Virtual webinar: 1:30 p.m. April 22
April 9	Informative – information on agency rulemaking for March 16-31, 2025 (PDF)
March 31	Collaborative – State Health Improvement Plan (SHIP) listening sessions (PDF)	Listening session: 9-11 a.m. May 29 - Zoom link
March 28	Consultation closure – DOH Tribal data sharing agreement template (PDF)
March 18	Informative – information on agency rulemaking for March 1-15, 2025 (PDF)
March 11	Informative – opportunity to participate in the DOH Data@Health Collaborative (PDF)
March 10	Collaborative – proposing DOH monthly Tribal meeting (PDF)	Listening session: 10-11:30 a.m. March 20	Listening Session Report out (PDF)
March 10	Informative – Northwest Tribal Epidemiology Center data sharing agreement amendment (PDF)
March 4	Informative – information on agency rulemaking for February 16-28, 2025 (PDF)
March 3	Informative – DOH preparing for CDC notice of funding opportunity strengthening vaccine-preventable disease prevention and response cooperative agreement (PDF)
February 24	Collaborative – listening sessions for proposed data sharing language for 2026 legislative session (PDF)	Listening session 1: 10-11:30 a.m. March 21 Listening session 2: 10-11:30 a.m. April 4
February 24	Informative – Washington Vaccine Association data sharing agreement (PDF)
February 21	Collaborative – proposed legislation on public water system definition for 2026 legislative session (PDF)	Listening session: 3:30-5 p.m. March 19
February 10	Informative – information on agency rulemaking for January 16-31, 2025 (PDF)
January 15	Informative – information on agency rulemaking for January 1-15, 2025 (PDF)
January 13	Informative – information on agency rulemaking for December 16-31, 2024 (PDF)
January 6	Collaborative – overdose data to action in states – develop or expand overdose prevention (PDF)	Q&A call for Tribes: 1-2 p.m. January 27 Q&A call for partners: 1-2 p.m. February 6	Overdose Prevention Funding Opportunity (PDF)
January 6	Informative – update on WIC's Tribal General Welfare payment waiver request (PDF)

2024

Date	Letter Subject	Meeting Information	Additional Materials
December 31	Collaborative – Emerging Contaminants in Small and Disadvantaged Communities Grant (PDF)	Listening session: 1:30-5 p.m. January 15
December 30	Informative – information on agency rulemaking for December 1-15, 2024 (PDF)
December 19	Collaborative – listening sessions for adult and youth engagement on Tribal data reporting (PDF)	Listening session 1: 8:30-10 a.m. February 6 Listening session 2: 10-11 a.m. February 6
December 19	Collaborative – Opioid Treatment Program (OTP) federal accreditation (PDF)	Listening session 1: 11 a.m.-noon January 15 Listening session 2: 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. January 28
December 18	Collaborative – federal funding subrecipient questionnaire (PDF)
December 9	Consultation – Tribal data sharing agreement (PDF)	Roundtable 1: 2-3:30 p.m. December 12 Roundtable 2: 2-3:30 p.m. December 19 Consultation: 2-3:30 p.m. January 9	Roundtable 1 presentation (PDF) Roundtable 2 presentation (PDF) Consultation one-pager (PDF) Consultation presentation (PDF) Final template (PDF) Template with comments (PDF) Checklist (PDF) Data fact sheet (PDF) Consultation closure slides (PDF)
December 3	Informative – information on agency rulemaking for November 16-30, 2024 (PDF)
December 2	Informative – draft language for proposed data sharing for 2026 legislation session (PDF)		Starter Language for the Data Sharing for Public Health Action Act (PDF)
December 2	Informative – release of 2023 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey data (PDF)
November 25	Informative – Health Equity Zone for Native communities selection (PDF)
November 25	Informative – update on Native & Strong Lifeline expansion request (PDF)
November 21	Collaborative – workgroup on the risk of high potency synthetic opioids to children and youth (PDF)	Workgroup meeting: 9-10:30 a.m. December 20
November 20	Collaborative – Maternal Health Innovations funding opportunity and seeking interest in joining the review committee (PDF)
November 20	Informative – agricultural worker immunization outreach (PDF)
November 20	Informative – information on agency rulemaking for November 1-15, 2024 (PDF)
November 15	Informative – House Bill 1503 implementation: collecting demographic data from health care professionals (PDF)
November 5	Informative – information on agency rulemaking for October 16-31, 2024 (PDF)
October 22	Informative – infection prevention certification funding opportunity (PDF)
October 21	Informative – information on agency rulemaking for October 1-15, 2024 (PDF)
October 20	Informative- georouting calls to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (PDF)
October 18	Collaborative – Foundational Public Health Services (PDF)	Workgroup meeting: 1-3 p.m. October 23
October 18	Collaborative – WA HEALTH permanent rulemaking process (PDF)	Workshops: December 19, January 16, January 30 February workshops were postponed	Workshop presentation (PDF)
October 17	Informative - state cancer coalition and resource groups (PDF)	Coalition meeting: 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. October 30
October 14	House Bill 1477 Crisis Response Improvement Strategy Committee request for feedback on final report and recommendations (PDF)	Listening session 1: 1-3 p.m. November 4 Listening session 2: 9-10 a.m. November 20
October 4	Collaborative – request for proposals from the shellfish strategic initiative lead invested through EPA Puget Sound Geographic Program funds (PDF)
October 1	Informative – awareness of new statewide foodborne illness complaint portal (PDF)
September 25	Collaborative – residential treatment facility psychiatric hospital Tribal attestation fee rulemaking (PDF)	Workshops: December 12, December 19, January 9, January 23, January 30	Workshop 2 presentation (PDF) Workshop 2 notes (PDF)
September 18	Consultation closure – two environmental justice grants (PDF)
September 18	Informative – DOH pilot project for law enforcement involved injuries, fatal encounters (PDF)
September 18	Informative – information on agency rulemaking for September 1-15, 2024 (PDF)
September 18	Informative – youth focus group testing content for Healthy Youth Survey 2025 (PDF)
August 20	Informative – information on agency rulemaking for August 1-15, 2024 (PDF)
August 15	Collaborative – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Rape Prevention and Education program (PDF)	Listening session 1: 3-4 p.m. September 16 Listening session 2: 10-11 a.m. September 23
August 15	Informative – launch of Be Well WA initiative (PDF)
August 13	Informative – 988 and Tribal Crisis Coordination Protocols (PDF)
July 26	Collaborative – early child development and family well-being (PDF)	Collaboration: 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. August 27 in Seattle RSVP by August 23
July 26	Collaborative – Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) vendor rule listening session and workshop (PDF)	Listening session 1: 1-3 p.m. August 12 Listening session 2: 1-3 p.m. September 9
July 24	Collaborative – Breast, Cervical and Colon Health Program survey request (PDF)
July 15	Consultation update – environmental justice grants prioritization requested by July 26th, 2024 (PDF)
July 15	Informative - new interim state epidemiologist for policy and practice (PDF)
July 15	Collaborative – Department of Health 2025 legislative proposal webinars – save the date (PDF)	Tribal-specific session: 3-4 p.m. August 14 General session for all partners: 3:30-4:30 p.m. August 21
July 10	Consultation – environmental justice grant (PDF)
July 3	Collaborative – 911 mental health crisis call diversion protocols (PDF)	Listening session 1: noon-1 p.m. July 25 Listening session 2: 5-6 p.m. July 29 Listening session 3: 2-3 p.m. August 1
July 3	Collaborative – adapting breastfeeding guidelines for Tribal communities (PDF)
July 2	Informative – information on agency rulemaking for June 16 to June 30, 2024 (PDF)
June 28	Collaborative – Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Intended Use Plan, implementation of the Emerging Contaminants in Small and Disadvantaged Communities Grant Program (PDF)
June 28	Collaborative – request for comment on Drinking Water State Revolving Fund rulemaking to define disadvantaged communities and updates to construction loan guidelines (PDF)
June 28	Informative – update on Native and Strong Lifeline provision for text and chat services (PDF)
June 27	Collaborative – Tribal listening sessions for maternal health innovation funding opportunity (PDF)	Listening session 1: 10:30 a.m.- noon July 16 Listening session 2: noon-1:30 p.m. September 5
June 25	Collaborative – announcement and invitation for 2025 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) revision period (PDF)
June 24	Consultation – invitation to consultation on two environmental justice grants (PDF)	Tribal roundtable 1: 3:30-5 p.m. June 25 Tribal roundtable 2: 3:30-5 p.m. July 2 Consultation: 3:30-5 p.m. July 10
June 18	Informative – information on agency rulemaking for June 1 to June 15, 2024 (PDF)
June 11	Consultation closure – DOH Tribal Public Health Emergency and Preparedness allocation (PDF)
June 4	Collaborative – health analysis on Interstate Bridge Replacement Program (PDF)	Project summary (PDF)
June 4	Informative – information on agency rulemaking for May 1 to May 31, 2024 (PDF)
May 21	Informative – update on DOH COVID-19 Testing Kiosk Program (PDF)
May 3	Informative – information on agency rulemaking for April 16 to April 30, 2024 (PDF)
May 1	Collaborative – Tribal wellness and resiliency gathering (PDF)	Gathering: May 28-30 - registration and event information
May 1	Informative – final revision meeting for the 2025 Healthy Youth Survey (PDF)	Meeting: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. May 28
April 24	Collaborative – early child development and family well-being (PDF)
April 19	Collaborative – grant proposal to build an e-learning video training series for home-visit professionals (PDF)
April 18	Collaborative – commercial tobacco tribal listening sessions (PDF)	Listening session 1: 2-3:30 p.m. April 29 Listening session 2: Noon-2 p.m. April 30
April 18	Informative – information on agency rulemaking for April 1 to April 15, 2024 (PDF)
April 18	Informative – notice of Health Equity Zone for Native communities submission closing date extension (PDF)
April 18	Informative – potential agency request legislation for cottage food operations (PDF)
April 18	Informative – potential agency request legislation for water recreation facilities (PDF)
April 10	Collaborative – upcoming funding opportunity for school based health centers (PDF)
April 3	Informative – information on agency rulemaking for March 18 to March 31, 2024 (PDF)
April 1	Collaborative – adolescent and young adult health updates (PDF)	Listening session 1: 7 a.m. April 9 Listening session 2: Noon April 9
March 26	Collaborative – invitation to Tribal briefing on two environmental justice grants (PDF)	Virtual briefing: 3:30-5:30 p.m. May 8
March 21	Informative – information on agency rulemaking for March 1 to March 15, 2024 (PDF)
March 20	Collaborative – new Washinton Administrative Code (WAC) chapter for private detention facilities (PDF)	Listening session 3:30 to 5 p.m. April 10
March 14	Informative – initiation of the Washington State Child Wellness Survey (PDF)
March 12	Informative – information on agency rulemaking for January 16 to February 29, 2024 (PDF)
March 8	Consultation – House Bill 1477 Crisis Response Improvement Strategy Committee 2024 progress report consultation close out (PDF)
March 8	Informative – "For Our Lives" (formally Tribal Opioid Solutions Media Educational Campaign) resources to tribes to localize campaign (PDF)
March 4	Collaborative – Health Equity Zone for native communities submission opening (PDF)
February 21	Collaborative – seeking health care providers for Power of Providers (POP) Advisory Group (PDF)
February 13	Informative – DOH 988 general population campaign (PDF)
February 12	Informative – disadvantaged communities rulemaking follow up (PDF)
February 5	Collaborative – seeking advice on preventive health and health services block grant community investment (PDF)
February 2	Informative – pollen system surveillance (PDF)
January 31	Collaborative – tribal state plan for suicide prevention listening session (PDF)	Listening session 9 a.m.-noon February 21
January 23	Informative – information on agency rulemaking for January 1-15, 2024 (PDF)
January 18	Announcing the executive director of Washington State Department of Health’s new Office of Tribal Public Health and Relations (PDF)
January 12	Informative – series of four listening sessions for the Healthy Youth Survey revision (PDF)	Listening session 1: 3-5 p.m. February 15 Listening session 2: 3-5 p.m. February 22 Listening session 3: 9-11 a.m. March 19 Listening session 4: 9-11 a.m. March 28
January 10	Informative – information on agency rulemaking for December 2023 (PDF)
January 4	Collaborative – foundational public health services subject matter expert and technical workgroups (PDF)
January 4	Collaborative – Maternal and Child Health Block Grant needs assessment request for proposals (PDF)
January 4	Collaborative – new communities building resilient youth prevention grant (PDF)

2023

Date	Letter Subject	More Information
December 12	Informative – Workgroup Formation regarding opioid and methamphetamine contamination (PDF)
December 8	Informative – funding availability for Climate and Health Adaptation Initiative Community Capacity Building Grants (PDF)
December 6	Informative – information on agency rulemaking for November 16-30, 2023 (PDF)
November 30	Consultation – consultation closure on environmental justice capacity grant (PDF)
November 16	Informative – information on agency rulemaking for November 1-15, 2023 (PDF)
November 15	Consultation – Washington State Department of Health Tribal Public Health Emergency and Preparedness allocation formula (PDF)	Roundtable 1: 9:30-11 a.m. December 4 Roundtable 2: 1:30-3 p.m. December 12 Consultation: 11 a.m.-1 p.m. December 19
November 13	Informative – Nirsevimab and Abrysvo supply shortages and prioritization of distribution to tribal clinics (PDF)
November 9	Washington Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System Advisory Committee (PDF)
November 7	Consultation on House Bill 1477 Crisis Response Improvement Strategy Committee (PDF)
November 6	Definition and criteria of "disadvantaged communities" under the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (PDF)	Listening session: 3-5 p.m. November 27
November 6	Informative – information on agency rulemaking (PDF)
October 30	Consultation II update – environmental justice capacity grant prioritization requested by November 13, 2023 (PDF)	Comment period open until 11:59 p.m. November 13
October 26	Informative – Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program vendor and participant compliance rulemaking (PDF)
October 16	Informative – information on agency rulemaking (PDF)
October 10	Consultation II on environmental justice grant programs (PDF)	Second consultation: 8-10 a.m. October 27
October 5	Adolescent and young adult health projects (PDF)	Presentation: 1 p.m. November 8
October 3	Tribal briefing - community engagement guide review (PDF)	Tribal briefing: 1-2 p.m. October 23
September 14	New DOH program to address environmental health issues associated with homelessness (PDF)
August 23	Vaccine engagement and funding survey (PDF)	Responses requested by September 5
August 17	Standards for designation of 988 contact hubs (PDF)	Workshop 1: 2-4 p.m. September 26 Workshop 2: 9-11 a.m. September 28
August 15	Invitation to consultation (PDF)	First tribal roundtable 3:30-5 p.m. September 6 Second tribal roundtable 3:30-5 p.m. September 13 Consultation 3:30-5 p.m. September 27
August 3	Second Substitute House Bill 1745: Improving diversity in clinical trials (PDF)
August 1	HEAL Act updates – environmental justice assessments, environmental justice in agency budgeting and funding; and draft guidance for state agencies using environmental health disparities map (PDF)
July 31	Behavioral health support specialist rulemaking (PDF)
July 28	Building Community Capacity for Equitable COVID-19 Recovery – funding opportunity (PDF)	Technical assistance session for all eligible organizations 4-5 p.m. August 10 Technical assistance session for tribal organizations and partners 10-11 a.m. August 11
July 26	New peer specialist credentials (PDF)
July 21	DOH 2024 legislative package review (PDF)	General session for all partners 10 a.m. August 28 Tribal-specific session 11 a.m. August 30
July 20	Physician visa waivers rulemaking (PDF)
July 20	Rulemaking for acute care hospitals to help implement Senate Bill 5120 (PDF)
July 20	Rulemaking for behavioral health agencies to help implement Senate Bill 5120 (PDF)
July 18	Amendments to home care aide rules (PDF)
July 17	Massage therapy rulemaking about education and training requirements (PDF)
July 11	Consultation on tribal foundational public health services funding allocation for state biennium 2023-2025 (PDF)	Letter attachments (PDF)
July 7	Request legislation for state issued standing orders (PDF)
June 29	Transfer of public water systems within boundaries of tribal lands from Washington State Department of Health to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 10 Water Division under the Safe Drinking Water Act (PDF)
June 28	Washington State Department of Health launching new Office of Tribal Public Health & Relations (OTPHR) (PDF)	Virtual conversation 3-5 p.m. July 20
June 22	Federal publication date revision to WAC 246-247-035, national standards adopted by reference for sources of radionuclide emissions (PDF)
June 14	Department of Health implementation of new grant programs during 2023-2025 biennium (PDF)	Virtual listening session 3:30-5:30 p.m. August 9
June 12	Maternal and Child Health Block Grant (PDF)	Virtual listening session 3-5 p.m. July 6 Virtual listening session 1-3 p.m. September 7
June 9	Drinking Water State Revolving Fund lead service line inventory and replacement intended use plan (PDF)
June 7	Healthcare preparedness and response (PDF)
May 31	Washington State Department of Health launching new Office of Tribal Public Health & Relations (OTPHR) (PDF)
May11	Washington State Environmental Health Disparities Map (PDF) Washington DOH Secretary DTLL Consultation on EHD Map (PDF)
March 15	Drinking Water State Revolving Fund rule making (PDF)
January 23	Rulemaking regarding health equity continuing education requirements for registered nurses (RNs), advanced registered nurse practitioners (ARNPs), and licensed practical nurses (LPNs) (PDF)
January 6	Expanding access to Naloxone within American Indian and Alaska Native communities in Washington state (PDF)

Contact Us

For more information, call 360-819-7626 or email OTPHR@doh.wa.gov.