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
Date January 6 Letter Subject Collaborative – overdose data to action in states – develop or expand overdose prevention (PDF) Meeting Information
  • Q&A call for Tribes: 1-2 p.m. January 27 - Zoom link
  • Q&A call for partners: 1-2 p.m. January 29 - Zoom link
Additional Materials  
Date January 6 Letter Subject Informative – update on WIC's Tribal General Welfare payment waiver request (PDF) Meeting Information   Additional Materials  

2024

Date Letter Subject Meeting Information Additional Materials
Date December 9 Letter Subject Consultation – Tribal data sharing agreement (PDF) Meeting Information
  • 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 - Zoom link
Additional Materials

Roundtable 1 presentation (PDF)

Roundtable 2 presentation (PDF)

Template (PDF)

Checklist (PDF)

Data fact sheet (PDF)

Date September 25 Letter Subject Collaborative – residential treatment facility psychiatric hospital Tribal attestation fee rulemaking (PDF) Meeting Information
  • Workshops: December 12, December 19, January 9, January 23, January 30 - Zoom link
Additional Materials

Workshop 2 presentation (PDF)

Workshop 2 notes (PDF)

Date October 18 Letter Subject Collaborative – WA HEALTH permanent rulemaking process (PDF)  Meeting Information
  • Workshops: December 19, January 16, January 30, February 13, February 27 - Zoom link
Additional Materials  
Date December 31 Letter Subject Collaborative – Emerging Contaminants in Small and Disadvantaged Communities Grant (PDF) Meeting Information
  • Listening session: 1:30-5 p.m. January 15 - Zoom link
Additional Materials  
Date December 30 Letter Subject Informative – information on agency rulemaking for December 1-15, 2024 (PDF) Meeting Information

 

Additional Materials  
Date December 19 Letter Subject Collaborative – listening sessions for adult and youth engagement on Tribal data reporting (PDF) Meeting Information
  • Listening session 1: 8:30-10 a.m. January 23 - Zoom link
  • Listening session 2: 10-11 a.m. January 23 - Zoom link
Additional Materials  
Date December 19 Letter Subject Collaborative – Opioid Treatment Program (OTP) federal accreditation (PDF) Meeting Information
  • Listening session 1: 11 a.m.-noon January 15 - Zoom link
  • Listening session 2: 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. January 28 - Zoom link
Additional Materials  
Date December 18 Letter Subject Collaborative – federal funding subrecipient questionnaire (PDF) Meeting Information   Additional Materials  
Date December 3 Letter Subject Informative – information on agency rulemaking for November 16-30, 2024 (PDF) Meeting Information   Additional Materials  
Date December 2 Letter Subject Informative – draft language for proposed data sharing for 2026 legislation session (PDF) Meeting Information   Additional Materials Starter Language for the Data Sharing for Public Health Action Act (PDF)
Date December 2 Letter Subject Informative – release of 2023 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey data (PDF) Meeting Information   Additional Materials  
Date November 25 Letter Subject Informative – Health Equity Zone for Native communities selection (PDF) Meeting Information   Additional Materials  
Date November 25 Letter Subject Informative – update on Native & Strong Lifeline expansion request (PDF) Meeting Information   Additional Materials  
Date November 21 Letter Subject Collaborative – workgroup on the risk of high potency synthetic opioids to children and youth (PDF) Meeting Information
  • Workgroup meeting: 9-10:30 a.m. December 20
Additional Materials  
Date November 20 Letter Subject Collaborative – Maternal Health Innovations funding opportunity and seeking interest in joining the review committee (PDF) Meeting Information   Additional Materials  
Date November 20 Letter Subject Informative – agricultural worker immunization outreach (PDF) Meeting Information   Additional Materials  
Date November 20 Letter Subject Informative – information on agency rulemaking for November 1-15, 2024 (PDF) Meeting Information   Additional Materials  
Date November 15 Letter Subject Informative – House Bill 1503 implementation: collecting demographic data from health care professionals (PDF) Meeting Information   Additional Materials  
Date November 5 Letter Subject Informative – information on agency rulemaking for October 16-31, 2024 (PDF) Meeting Information   Additional Materials  
Date October 22 Letter Subject Informative – infection prevention certification funding opportunity (PDF) Meeting Information   Additional Materials  
Date October 21 Letter Subject Informative – information on agency rulemaking for October 1-15, 2024 (PDF) Meeting Information   Additional Materials  
Date October 20 Letter Subject Informative- georouting calls to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (PDF) Meeting Information   Additional Materials  
Date October 18 Letter Subject Collaborative – Foundational Public Health Services (PDF) Meeting Information
  • Workgroup meeting: 1-3 p.m. October 23
Additional Materials  
Date October 17 Letter Subject Informative - state cancer coalition and resource groups (PDF) Meeting Information
  • Coalition meeting: 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. October 30
Additional Materials  
Date October 14 Letter Subject House Bill 1477 Crisis Response Improvement Strategy Committee request for feedback on final report and recommendations (PDF) Meeting Information
  • Listening session 1: 1-3 p.m. November 4
  • Listening session 2: 9-10 a.m. November 20
Additional Materials  
Date October 4 Letter Subject Collaborative – request for proposals from the shellfish strategic initiative lead invested through EPA Puget Sound Geographic Program funds (PDF) Meeting Information   Additional Materials  
Date October 1 Letter Subject Informative – awareness of new statewide foodborne illness complaint portal (PDF) Meeting Information   Additional Materials  
Date September 18 Letter Subject Consultation closure – two environmental justice grants (PDF) Meeting Information   Additional Materials  
Date September 18 Letter Subject Informative – DOH pilot project for law enforcement involved injuries, fatal encounters (PDF) Meeting Information   Additional Materials  
Date September 18 Letter Subject Informative – information on agency rulemaking for September 1-15, 2024 (PDF) Meeting Information   Additional Materials  
Date September 18 Letter Subject Informative – youth focus group testing content for Healthy Youth Survey 2025 (PDF) Meeting Information   Additional Materials  
Date August 20 Letter Subject Informative – information on agency rulemaking for August 1-15, 2024 (PDF) Meeting Information   Additional Materials  
Date August 15 Letter Subject Collaborative – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Rape Prevention and Education program (PDF) Meeting Information
  • Listening session 1: 3-4 p.m. September 16
  • Listening session 2: 10-11 a.m. September 23
Additional Materials  
Date August 15 Letter Subject Informative – launch of Be Well WA initiative (PDF) Meeting Information   Additional Materials  
Date August 13 Letter Subject Informative – 988 and Tribal Crisis Coordination Protocols (PDF) Meeting Information   Additional Materials  
Date July 26 Letter Subject Collaborative – early child development and family well-being (PDF) Meeting Information
  • Collaboration: 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. August 27 in Seattle
    • RSVP by August 23
Additional Materials  
Date July 26 Letter Subject Collaborative – Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) vendor rule listening session and workshop (PDF) Meeting Information
  • Listening session 1: 1-3 p.m. August 12
  • Listening session 2: 1-3 p.m. September 9
Additional Materials  
Date July 24 Letter Subject Collaborative – Breast, Cervical and Colon Health Program survey request (PDF) Meeting Information

 

Additional Materials  
Date July 15 Letter Subject Consultation update – environmental justice grants prioritization requested by July 26th, 2024 (PDF) Meeting Information   Additional Materials  
Date July 15 Letter Subject Informative - new interim state epidemiologist for policy and practice (PDF) Meeting Information   Additional Materials  
Date July 15 Letter Subject Collaborative – Department of Health 2025 legislative proposal webinars – save the date (PDF) Meeting Information
  • Tribal-specific session: 3-4 p.m. August 14
  • General session for all partners: 3:30-4:30 p.m. August 21
Additional Materials  
Date July 10 Letter Subject Consultation – environmental justice grant (PDF) Meeting Information   Additional Materials  
Date July 3 Letter Subject Collaborative – 911 mental health crisis call diversion protocols (PDF) Meeting Information
  • 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
Additional Materials  
Date July 3 Letter Subject Collaborative – adapting breastfeeding guidelines for Tribal communities (PDF) Meeting Information   Additional Materials  
Date July 2 Letter Subject Informative – information on agency rulemaking for June 16 to June 30, 2024 (PDF) Meeting Information   Additional Materials  
Date June 28 Letter Subject Collaborative – Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Intended Use Plan, implementation of the Emerging Contaminants in Small and Disadvantaged Communities Grant Program (PDF) Meeting Information   Additional Materials  
Date June 28 Letter Subject Collaborative – request for comment on Drinking Water State Revolving Fund rulemaking to define disadvantaged communities and updates to construction loan guidelines (PDF) Meeting Information   Additional Materials  
Date June 28 Letter Subject Informative – update on Native and Strong Lifeline provision for text and chat services (PDF) Meeting Information   Additional Materials  
Date June 27 Letter Subject Collaborative – Tribal listening sessions for maternal health innovation funding opportunity (PDF) Meeting Information
  • Listening session 1: 10:30 a.m.- noon July 16
  • Listening session 2: noon-1:30 p.m. September 5
Additional Materials  
Date June 25 Letter Subject Collaborative – announcement and invitation for 2025 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) revision period (PDF) Meeting Information   Additional Materials  
Date June 24 Letter Subject Consultation – invitation to consultation on two environmental justice grants (PDF) Meeting Information
  • 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
Additional Materials  
Date June 18 Letter Subject Informative – information on agency rulemaking for June 1 to June 15, 2024 (PDF) Meeting Information   Additional Materials  
Date June 11 Letter Subject Consultation closure – DOH Tribal Public Health Emergency and Preparedness allocation (PDF) Meeting Information   Additional Materials  
Date June 4 Letter Subject Collaborative – health analysis on Interstate Bridge Replacement Program (PDF) Meeting Information Additional Materials  
Date June 4 Letter Subject Informative – information on agency rulemaking for May 1 to May 31, 2024 (PDF) Meeting Information   Additional Materials  
Date May 21 Letter Subject Informative – update on DOH COVID-19 Testing Kiosk Program (PDF) Meeting Information   Additional Materials  
Date May 3 Letter Subject Informative – information on agency rulemaking for April 16 to April 30, 2024 (PDF) Meeting Information   Additional Materials  
Date May 1 Letter Subject Collaborative – Tribal wellness and resiliency gathering (PDF) Meeting Information Additional Materials  
Date May 1 Letter Subject Informative – final revision meeting for the 2025 Healthy Youth Survey (PDF) Meeting Information
  • Meeting: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. May 28
Additional Materials  
Date April 24 Letter Subject Collaborative – early child development and family well-being (PDF) Meeting Information   Additional Materials  
Date April 19 Letter Subject

Collaborative – grant proposal to build an e-learning video training series for home-visit professionals (PDF)

Meeting Information   Additional Materials  
Date April 18 Letter Subject Collaborative – commercial tobacco tribal listening sessions (PDF) Meeting Information
  • Listening session 1: 2-3:30 p.m. April 29
  • Listening session 2: Noon-2 p.m. April 30
Additional Materials  
Date April 18 Letter Subject Informative – information on agency rulemaking for April 1 to April 15, 2024 (PDF) Meeting Information   Additional Materials  
Date April 18 Letter Subject Informative – notice of Health Equity Zone for Native communities submission closing date extension (PDF) Meeting Information   Additional Materials  
Date April 18 Letter Subject Informative – potential agency request legislation for cottage food operations (PDF) Meeting Information   Additional Materials  
Date April 18 Letter Subject Informative – potential agency request legislation for water recreation facilities (PDF) Meeting Information   Additional Materials  
Date April 10 Letter Subject Collaborative – upcoming funding opportunity for school based health centers (PDF) Meeting Information   Additional Materials  
Date April 3 Letter Subject Informative – information on agency rulemaking for March 18 to March 31, 2024 (PDF) Meeting Information   Additional Materials  
Date April 1 Letter Subject Collaborative – adolescent and young adult health updates (PDF) Meeting Information
  • Listening session 1: 7 a.m. April 9
  • Listening session 2: Noon April 9
Additional Materials  
Date March 26 Letter Subject Collaborative – invitation to Tribal briefing on two environmental justice grants (PDF) Meeting Information
  • Virtual briefing: 3:30-5:30 p.m. May 8
Additional Materials  
Date March 21 Letter Subject Informative – information on agency rulemaking for March 1 to March 15, 2024 (PDF) Meeting Information   Additional Materials  
Date March 20 Letter Subject Collaborative – new Washinton Administrative Code (WAC) chapter for private detention facilities (PDF) Meeting Information
  • Listening session 3:30 to 5 p.m. April 10
Additional Materials  
Date March 14 Letter Subject Informative – initiation of the Washington State Child Wellness Survey (PDF) Meeting Information   Additional Materials  
Date March 12 Letter Subject Informative – information on agency rulemaking for January 16 to February 29, 2024 (PDF) Meeting Information   Additional Materials  
Date March 8 Letter Subject Consultation – House Bill 1477 Crisis Response Improvement Strategy Committee 2024 progress report consultation close out (PDF) Meeting Information   Additional Materials  
Date March 8 Letter Subject Informative – "For Our Lives" (formally Tribal Opioid Solutions Media Educational Campaign) resources to tribes to localize campaign (PDF) Meeting Information   Additional Materials  
Date March 4 Letter Subject Collaborative – Health Equity Zone for native communities submission opening (PDF) Meeting Information   Additional Materials  
Date February 21 Letter Subject Collaborative – seeking health care providers for Power of Providers (POP) Advisory Group (PDF) Meeting Information   Additional Materials  
Date February 13 Letter Subject Informative – DOH 988 general population campaign (PDF) Meeting Information   Additional Materials  
Date February 12 Letter Subject Informative – disadvantaged communities rulemaking follow up (PDF) Meeting Information   Additional Materials  
Date February 5 Letter Subject Collaborative – seeking advice on preventive health and health services block grant community investment (PDF) Meeting Information   Additional Materials  
Date February 2 Letter Subject Informative – pollen system surveillance (PDF) Meeting Information   Additional Materials  
Date January 31 Letter Subject Collaborative – tribal state plan for suicide prevention listening session (PDF) Meeting Information
  • Listening session 9 a.m.-noon February 21
Additional Materials  
Date January 23 Letter Subject Informative – information on agency rulemaking for January 1-15, 2024 (PDF) Meeting Information   Additional Materials  
Date January 18 Letter Subject

Announcing the executive director of Washington State Department of Health’s new Office of Tribal Public Health and Relations (PDF)

Meeting Information   Additional Materials  
Date January 12 Letter Subject Informative – series of four listening sessions for the Healthy Youth Survey revision (PDF) Meeting Information
  • 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
Additional Materials  
Date January 10 Letter Subject

Informative – information on agency rulemaking for December 2023 (PDF)

Meeting Information   Additional Materials  
Date January 4 Letter Subject

Collaborative – foundational public health services subject matter expert and technical workgroups (PDF)

Meeting Information   Additional Materials  
Date January 4 Letter Subject

Collaborative – Maternal and Child Health Block Grant needs assessment request for proposals (PDF)

Meeting Information   Additional Materials  
Date January 4 Letter Subject

Collaborative – new communities building resilient youth prevention grant (PDF)

Meeting Information   Additional Materials  

2023

Date Letter Subject More Information
Date December 12 Letter Subject Informative – Workgroup Formation regarding opioid and methamphetamine contamination (PDF) More Information  
Date December 8 Letter Subject

Informative – funding availability for Climate and Health Adaptation Initiative Community Capacity Building Grants (PDF)

More Information  
Date December 6 Letter Subject

Informative – information on agency rulemaking for November 16-30, 2023 (PDF)

More Information  
Date November 30 Letter Subject

Consultation – consultation closure on environmental justice capacity grant (PDF)

More Information  
Date November 16 Letter Subject

Informative – information on agency rulemaking for November 1-15, 2023 (PDF)

More Information  
Date November 15 Letter Subject Consultation – Washington State Department of Health Tribal Public Health Emergency and Preparedness allocation formula (PDF) More Information
  • 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
Date November 13 Letter Subject

Informative – Nirsevimab and Abrysvo supply shortages and prioritization of distribution to tribal clinics (PDF)

More Information  
Date November 9 Letter Subject

Washington Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System Advisory Committee (PDF)

More Information  
Date November 7 Letter Subject

Consultation on House Bill 1477 Crisis Response Improvement Strategy Committee (PDF)

More Information  
Date November 6 Letter Subject Definition and criteria of "disadvantaged communities" under the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (PDF) More Information
  • Listening session: 3-5 p.m. November 27
Date November 6 Letter Subject

Informative – information on agency rulemaking (PDF)

More Information  
Date October 30 Letter Subject Consultation II update – environmental justice capacity grant prioritization requested by November 13, 2023 (PDF) More Information
  • Comment period open until 11:59 p.m. November 13
Date October 26 Letter Subject

Informative – Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program vendor and participant compliance rulemaking (PDF)

More Information  
Date October 16 Letter Subject

Informative – information on agency rulemaking (PDF)

More Information  
Date October 10 Letter Subject Consultation II on environmental justice grant programs (PDF) More Information
  • Second consultation: 8-10 a.m. October 27
Date October 5 Letter Subject Adolescent and young adult health projects (PDF) More Information
  • Presentation: 1 p.m. November 8
Date October 3 Letter Subject Tribal briefing - community engagement guide review (PDF) More Information
  • Tribal briefing: 1-2 p.m. October 23
Date September 14 Letter Subject

New DOH program to address environmental health issues associated with homelessness (PDF)

More Information  
Date August 23 Letter Subject Vaccine engagement and funding survey (PDF) More Information
  • Responses requested by September 5
Date August 17 Letter Subject Standards for designation of 988 contact hubs (PDF) More Information
  • Workshop 1: 2-4 p.m. September 26
  • Workshop 2: 9-11 a.m. September 28
Date August 15 Letter Subject Invitation to consultation (PDF) More Information
  • 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 
Date August 3 Letter Subject Second Substitute House Bill 1745: Improving diversity in clinical trials (PDF) More Information  
Date August 1 Letter Subject 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) More Information  
Date July 31 Letter Subject Behavioral health support specialist rulemaking (PDF) More Information  
Date July 28 Letter Subject Building Community Capacity for Equitable COVID-19 Recovery – funding opportunity (PDF) More Information
  • 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
Date July 26 Letter Subject New peer specialist credentials (PDF) More Information  
Date July 21 Letter Subject DOH 2024 legislative package review (PDF) More Information
  • General session for all partners 10 a.m. August 28
  • Tribal-specific session 11 a.m. August 30
Date July 20 Letter Subject Physician visa waivers rulemaking (PDF) More Information  
Date July 20 Letter Subject Rulemaking for acute care hospitals to help implement Senate Bill 5120 (PDF) More Information  
Date July 20 Letter Subject Rulemaking for behavioral health agencies to help implement Senate Bill 5120 (PDF) More Information  
Date July 18 Letter Subject Amendments to home care aide rules (PDF) More Information  
Date July 17 Letter Subject Massage therapy rulemaking about education and training requirements (PDF) More Information  
Date July 11 Letter Subject Consultation on tribal foundational public health services funding allocation for state biennium 2023-2025 (PDF) More Information
Date July 7 Letter Subject Request legislation for state issued standing orders (PDF) More Information  
Date June 29 Letter Subject 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) More Information  
Date June 28 Letter Subject Washington State Department of Health launching new Office of Tribal Public Health & Relations (OTPHR) (PDF) More Information
  • Virtual conversation 3-5 p.m. July 20
Date June 22 Letter Subject Federal publication date revision to WAC 246-247-035, national standards adopted by reference for sources of radionuclide emissions (PDF) More Information  
Date June 14 Letter Subject Department of Health implementation of new grant programs during 2023-2025 biennium (PDF) More Information
  • Virtual listening session 3:30-5:30 p.m. August 9
Date June 12 Letter Subject Maternal and Child Health Block Grant (PDF) More Information
  • Virtual listening session 3-5 p.m. July 6
  • Virtual listening session 1-3 p.m. September 7
Date June 9 Letter Subject Drinking Water State Revolving Fund lead service line inventory and replacement intended use plan (PDF) More Information  
Date June 7 Letter Subject Healthcare preparedness and response (PDF) More Information  
Date May 31 Letter Subject Washington State Department of Health launching new Office of Tribal Public Health & Relations (OTPHR) (PDF) More Information  
Date March 15 Letter Subject Drinking Water State Revolving Fund rule making (PDF) More Information  
Date January 23 Letter Subject Rulemaking regarding health equity continuing education requirements for registered nurses (RNs), advanced registered nurse practitioners (ARNPs), and licensed practical nurses 
(LPNs) (PDF)
More Information  
Date January 6 Letter Subject Expanding access to Naloxone within American Indian and Alaska Native communities in Washington state (PDF) More Information  

Contact Us

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