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Tribal Affairs and Policy

The Office of Tribal Affairs and Policy (OTAP) brings together SAMHSA’s tribal affairs, tribal policy, tribal consultation, tribal advisory, and Tribal Law and Order Act responsibilities to improve agency coordination and meaningful progress.

SAMHSA is accepting applications for various open Primary or Alternate Delegates positions on the SAMHSA Tribal Technical Advisory Committee. Contact otap@samhsa.hhs.gov for more information.

  • About OTAP

    The Office of Tribal Affairs and Policy (OTAP) serves as SAMHSA’s primary point of contact for tribal governments, tribal organizations, federal departments and agencies, and other governments and organizations on behavioral health issues facing American Indians and Alaska Natives. SAMHSA’s efforts reflect a commitment to upholding the federal government’s historical and unique legal relationship with American Indian tribes through consultation, outreach, education, and engagement.

    Our Mission

    Provide efficient and effective delivery of resources and services to ensure that American Indians and Alaska Natives have access to prevention, treatment, and recovery support services that reflect the best of modern science and traditional cultural practices.

  • Tribal Technical Advisory Committee (TTAC)

    The SAMHSA TTAC membership is comprised of 14 elected Tribal leaders from federally recognized Tribes. The SAMHSA TTAC provides a venue wherein Tribal leadership and SAMHSA staff can exchange information about public health issues, identify urgent mental health and substance abuse needs, and discuss collaborative approaches to addressing these behavioral health issues and needs.

  • Tribal Law & Order Act (TLOA)

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    The Office of Indian Alcohol and Substance Abuse (OIASA) and its federal partners coordinates a federal response to substance misuse among Native people.

  • Tribal Action Plan (TAP)

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    The TAP coordinates resources and programs to help tribes achieve their goals for preventing and treating substance use disorders.

  • Tribal Funding

    SAMHSA offers three programs that are specific to tribes and tribal organizations:

    1. Tribal Opioid Response Grant
    2. Native Connections
    3. Circles of Care

  • SAMHSA Tribal Consultation Policy

    Before any action is taken that will significantly affect Indian Tribes, it is the SAMHSA policy that consultation with Indian Tribes will occur to the extent practicable and permitted by law. The SAMHSA Tribal Consultation Policy establishes a process to ensure meaningful and timely input by Indian Tribes in the development of policies that have tribal implications.

  • Training & Technical Assistance

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    Assistance for tribal communities to develop and implement community-based prevention plans to reduce violence, bullying, and suicide among American Indian and Alaska Native youth.

  • Funding, News and Events

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    Get the latest announcements on SAMHSA’s efforts to address substance use among Native people. Access the latest news, upcoming events, funding opportunities and more.

  • The National Tribal Behavioral Health Agenda

    SAMHSA worked with tribal leaders, the Indian Health Service, and the National Indian Health Board to develop The National Tribal Behavioral Health Agenda (TBHA). The TBHA is a blueprint for collaborative action by tribes, federal partners, states, and other stakeholders on five foundational elements.

Related SAMHSA Resources

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