New Walking on Common Ground Web Site

The Tribal Law and Policy Institute is pleased to announce the launch of the enhanced & updated Walking on Common Ground  web resource, which provides a wealth of information on Tribal law and Tribal Court practice.

The primary focus of the website is:

• Identify and develop resources concerning tribal/state court collaboration & promising practices
•  Identify and develop resources concerning Public Law 280 tribal/state court collaboration & promising practices
•  Subject areas include: courts, law enforcement, detention, child welfare, and multi-agency agreements

Features of the website include:

• Tribal-State agreements by topic
•  Tribal-Federal Collaborations
•  Promising Practices stories and quotes
•  Resources on the TLOA
•  Interactive searchable map of agreements
•  Listing of all federally recognized tribes, tribal websites and counties, by state
•  Jurisdictional information

Upcoming features include:

• Tribal-State Court Promising Strategies Publication
• Public Law 280 Promising Strategies Publication
• Additional tribal-state collaborations in the area of Detention and Child Welfare
• Additional tribal-federal collaborations

The Tribal Law and Policy Institute welcomes your submissions of new information to add to this resource.  Please contact Heather Valdez Singleton for more information: heather@tlpi.org ; 323-650-5667.

FY12 and FY13 Region 8 Wetland Program Development Grants

FY12 and FY13 Region 8 Wetland Program Development Grants – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Region 8 is soliciting proposals from eligible applicants to build or refine State/Tribal/local government wetland programs as described in Section I, FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION, of this announcement. States, Tribes, local government agencies, interstate agencies, and intertribal consortia are eligible to apply under this announcement, as further described herein. Universities that are agencies of a state government are eligible, but must include documentation demonstrating that they are chartered as part of a state government in the proposal submission. Non-profit organizations are not eligible to compete under this RFP.

Proposals for the 2012/2013 WPDG are due on March 26, 2012. Proposals must be received by the Region contact by 5:00 PM MDT, March 26, 2012, or if applying via grants.gov, 11:59 PM MDT, March 26, 2012. Proposals received after these times will not be considered. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency encourages applicants to pay very close attention to the eligibility criteria in order for their proposals to be considered.

Alaska Conservation Innovation Grant

Alaska Conservation Innovation Grant – The purpose of Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) is to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies while leveraging federal investment in environmental enhancement and protection in conjunction with agricultural production. CIG projects are expected to lead to the transfer of conservation technologies, management systems, and innovative approaches for incorporation into NRCS technical manuals or guides, or further adoption by the private sector. CIG does not fund research projects. It is a vehicle to stimulate the development and adoption of conservation approaches or technologies that have been studied sufficiently to indicate a high likelihood of success and to be candidates for eventual technology transfer. CIG funds projects targeting innovative on-the-ground conservation, including pilot projects and field demonstrations. NRCS Alaska will accept applications for single or multi-year projects, not to exceed three years.

Projects must involve landowners who meet the EQIP eligibility requirements. Applications will only be considered for projects within Alaska. Priorities for Alaska’s 2012 CIG State Program are innovative practices in energy conservation and best management practices for high tunnel production. Pre-proposals and full proposal applications will be reviewed for compliance with threshold eligibility criteria; eligible and complete submissions will be reviewed by a technical peer review panel and scored based on objective criteria. Current Closing Date for Applications: February 24, 2012. February 24, 2012 is the closing date for pre-proposals. Selected applicants will then be required to submit a full proposal application no later than 4pm, Alaska Time, on Friday, April 20, 2012.

Native American Library Services: Enhancement Grants

Native American Library Services: Enhancement Grants projects may enhance existing library services or implement new library services, particularly as they relate to the following goals in the updated IMLS statute (20 U.S.C. §9141):

1. expanding services for learning and access to information and educational resources in a variety of formats, in all types of libraries, for individuals of all ages in order to support such individuals’ needs for education, lifelong learning, workforce development, and digital literacy skills;
2. establishing or enhancing electronic and other linkages and improved coordination among and between libraries and entities, as described in 9134(b)(6), for the purpose of improving the quality of and access to library and information services;
3. (A) providing training and professional development, including continuing education, to enhance the skills of the current library workforce and leadership, and advance the delivery of library and information services; and
4. developing public and private partnerships with other agencies and community-based organizations;
5. targeting library services to individuals of diverse geographic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds, to individuals with disabilities, and to individuals with limited functional literacy or information skills;
6. targeting library and information services to persons having difficulty using a library and to underserved urban and rural communities, including children (from birth through age 17) from families with incomes below the poverty line (as defined by the Office of Management and Budget and revised annually in accordance with section 9902(2) of title 42) applicable to a family of the size involved;
7. developing library services that provide all users access to information through local, state, regional, national, and international collaborations and networks; and
8. carrying out other activities consistent with the purposes set forth in section 9121.

See eligibility requirements for the Basic Grant. Indian tribes and Alaska Native villages are eligible to apply for the Enhancement Grant only if they have applied for a Native American Library Services Basic Grant in the same fiscal year. See program guidelines for specific eligibility criteria. Deadline: May 01, 2012.

Drug Free Communities Support Program

Fiscal Year (FY) 2012 Drug Free Communities Support Program – The Executive Office of the President, Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), and the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP) are accepting applications for Fiscal Year (FY) 2012 Drug Free Communities Support Program (DFC) grants. The purpose of the DFC Program is to establish and strengthen collaboration to support the efforts of community coalitions working to prevent and reduce substance use among youth. Applications are due by March 22, 2012.

DFC is a collaborative initiative, sponsored by ONDCP, in partnership with SAMHSA, which works to achieve two goals:

• Establish and strengthen collaboration among communities, public and private non-profit agencies, and Federal, State, local, and tribal governments to support the efforts of community coalitions working to prevent and reduce substance use among youth. For the purposes of this RFA, “youth” is defined as individuals 18 years of age and younger.
• Reduce substance use among youth and, over time, reduce substance abuse among adults by addressing the factors in a community that increase the risk of substance abuse and promoting the factors that minimize the risk of substance abuse.

DFC grantees are required to work toward these two goals as the primary focus of their Federally-funded effort.

The DFC Program was created by the Drug Free Communities Act of 1997 (Public Law 105-20), reauthorized through the Drug Free Communities Reauthorization Act of 2001 (Public Law 107-82), and reauthorized again through the Office of National Drug Control Policy Reauthorization Act of 2006 (Public Law 109-469). The latest reauthorization extended the program for an additional five years until 2012. This announcement addresses Healthy People 2020 Substance Abuse Topic Area HP 2020-SA.

Since 1998, ONDCP has awarded approximately 2,000 DFC grants, with up to 30 new awards expected in FY 2012. Grants have been awarded to communities from every region in the nation including rural, urban, suburban, and tribal communities. Additional grantee information is available on the DFC website at http://www.whitehouse.gov/ondcp/Drug-Free-Communities-Support-Program.

14th Annual HHS Tribal Budget Consultation

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced the 14th Annual HHS Tribal Budget Consultation (ATBC) and its 2012 series of regional consultations.  The ATBC will be hosted in Washington, DC at the Hubert H. Humphrey Building (map) March 7 — 9, 2012.

In response to feedback from tribal leaders, HHS has reformatted the ATBC.  The new format will allow tribes to provide feedback on national, crosscutting issues, regional perspectives, as well as tribal-specific concerns.  Most importantly, ATBC will allow time for one-on-one meetings with HHS officials on issues that are specific to individual tribes.  To pre-register for a one-on-one meeting time, e-mail a request that includes which agency or agencies you would like to meet with to consultation@hhs.gov.  All testimony for ATBC is due to the Office of Intergovernmental and External Affairs no later than Thursday, February 23, 2012.  As always, tribal leaders are invited to participate in the planning calls to develop the agenda for ATBC.  Dates and call in information for the planning calls are listed below.

Planning Conference Call Schedule

• Thursday January 26, 2012, 3:00 PM EST
• Thursday February 2, 2012, 3:00 PM EST
• Thursday February 9, 2012, 3:00 PM EST
• Thursday February 16, 2012, 3:00 PM EST

Conference Call Number (for every call)

Call in #: 866-421-8841
Pass Code: 6999396

As in previous years, the respective regional tribal consultations that take place in the field will be coordinated by the respective regional offices and with the tribes in their regions. The regional sessions will include one-on-one time with the regional directors from your respective region, as well as regional leaders of other HHS agencies.

Click here to read the NCAI Dear Tribal Leader Letter, here for dates and locations of regional consultations, and here for more information about the planning calls.

NCAI Contact Information:   Ahniwake Rose, Policy Analyst for Health & Education – arose@ncai.org

Tribal Input Needed for the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations

Many American Indian and Alaska Native families depend on the food that is provided by the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR).  As Congress prepares to work on the 2012 Farm Bill, the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) is seeking tribal input to develop recommendations to improve FDPIR.

NCAI will be hosting a conference call on Thursday, February 2, 2012, at 2:00 pm (EST) to solicit additional feedback from tribal leaders, FDIPR agencies, and nutrition representatives.  Please use the following information to join the call:

Dial-in Number: 888-244-8150
Conference Code:  5384676027

In addition to your comments, NCAI will be urging Congress to:

• Ensure permanent inclusion of traditional Native foods
• Support local food production and markets
• Eliminate asset tests
• Improve interagency collaboration
• Increase positive FDPIR awareness among tribal communities-across all age groups
• Recruit and retain registered dieticians and nutrition professionals
• Allow flexibility in program funding to help upgrade facilitates and infrastructure to store and promote healthy foods and beverages

NCAI Contact Information: Krystalyn Kinsel, Legislative Associate -  kkinsel@ncai.org

Support VAWA Suggested actions for this week

National Task Force to End Sexual and Domestic Violence thanks you for all you are doing to urge Congress to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act! We are excited that the Attorneys General from 47 states have signed onto a collective letter to Congress supporting the reauthorization of VAWA. This week, we are hosting a briefing on VAWA for Senate staff with excellent speakers from across the country who know first-hand how important VAWA is to victim/survivors. We also invite you to participate in the first ever VAWA blog carnival. Please see below for more details about how to take action and make our voices heard to reauthorize VAWA now!

Suggested actions for this week include:

1. Call your Members of Congress and encourage them to attend a VAWA briefing!
2. Thank our important allies in the campaign to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act.
3. Draft your blog for the upcoming VAWA blog carnival!

Action 1: Call your Members of Congress and ask them to send staff to the Task Force’s upcoming “Hill briefings” on VAWA:

Visit these links for Senate Phone Numbers and House Phone Numbers and then ask to speak to the staff person handling VAWA, and either leave a message or ask them to please attend the briefing. Staff for our sponsors should attend to get information to shore up and expand their bosses’ knowledge and enthusiasm about the bill. Staff of wavering or uncertain Members will be able to gather important info about VAWA and ask questions or voice their concerns.

Senate Briefing:
Thursday, January 26, 2012
G-50 Dirksen Senate Office Building
2:30 P.M. to 4:00 P.M.

House Briefing:
Tuesday, January 31, 2010
2237 Rayburn House Office Building
10:30 A.M. to 12:00 A.M.

Action 2: Thank our important allies in the campaign to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act:

On January 11, 2010, the National Association of Attorneys General Sent a Letter to every Member of Congress encouraging them to reauthorize VAWA. A bipartisan group of 47 Attorneys General signed the letter  along with the AGs from the territories. The 3 holdouts were from Alabama, Alaska and Virginia.

Find the Phone Number of your AG and call or email and thank them for their support. Invite them to speak about the importance of VAWA at any of your group’s events and encourage them to personally contact their Senators to show support. Send a version of your thank you note to your local paper, praising the AG and showcasing your Senators and Representative – either thanking them for sponsoring or encouraging them to get on board. Also, copy and resend the letter to your own Senators and House member emphasizing how important it is to have the highest law enforcement official in your state supporting VAWA. This is truly bipartisan, with 22 Republican and 25 Democratic AGs sending the letter.

Action 3: Draft your blog for the first ever blog carnival for VAWA:

Participate in a “Blog Carnival for VAWA” during the week beginning January 30. HERvotes is a coalition of women’s rights organizations and activists who have been blogging on important issues facing women in the upcoming elections. This is a perfect grassroots activity for anti-violence activists leading up to the Senate Judiciary Committee’s vote on VAWA in early February and the House Judiciary Committee’s hearing on VAWA February 16. National Task Force to End Sexual and Domestic Violence Against Women will send more information in the next alert about how to make sure your blog is included—this week, start drafting! Have questions? Email: Emily@ncjwdc.org

Possible points to cover:

• How does VAWA help my community or my constituency?
• Why is it important for Congress and the federal government to partner with us to lead the fight against domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking?
• Your perspective as a victim/survivor.
• Your perspective as an advocate/activist.

To see if your Senator has signed on to VAWA,

• Go to THOMAS of The Library of Congress
• Select search by “Bill Number”
• Enter S.1925 in the space provided
• When the bill is brought up, click on “Cosponsors”

Check out National Task Force to End Sexual and Domestic Violence Against Women website for updates.

Check out and “like” our National Task Force to End Sexual and Domestic Violence Against Women Facebook page where you can find a toolkit and other action and information items.

If you aren’t on one of the National Task Force to End Sexual and Domestic Violence Against Women VAWA email lists or want to add members of your staff or state/community leaders to our grassroots alerts e-mailing list, send names and contact information including email to Sean Black, sblack@icasa.org  .

Administration for Children and Families (ACF) Tribal Consultation on ACF programs and tribal priorities

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Administration for Children and Families (ACF) will host a Tribal Consultation to consult on ACF programs and tribal priorities.

March 5 — 6, 2012

Renaissance Hotel
999 9th Street NW.
Washington, DC 20001

If you plan on attending to present your testimony, please provide the name, title, and tribe of the individual who will be presenting to Kimberly Romine. Ms. Romine may be reached at Kimberly.romine@acf.hhs.gov or by phone at (202) 205-5603. To register for the consultation, please submit your name, tribe or organization, phone, and email address to Ms. Romine.

In order to facilitate the discussion, we ask that presenters provide a brief overview of the testimony and include the specific issues to be addressed at the session. For any tribe unable to attend to present testimony, please be aware that ACF will keep the testimony record open for 30 days after the date of the consultation. After 30 days, ACF will provide written responses to all testimonies received, including those that were presented in person.

In addition to the Tribal Consultation session, ACF will be hosting a half day Tribal Training and Technical Assistance session to provide information about ACF programs, and ACF’s Integration and Interoperability Initiative. The Tribal Training and Technical Assistance session will be held the morning of March 5, 2012, in the same room as the Tribal Consultation session.

https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2012/01/19/2012-1009/tribal-consultation-notice-of-meeting#p-5

Testimonies may be submitted no later than February 24, 2012, to:

Lillian Sparks, Commissioner
Administration for Native Americans
370 L’Enfant Promenade SW.,
Washington, DC 20447
anacommissioner@acf.hhs.gov

However, this deadline does not preclude anyone from providing testimony at the session and we will, to the extent that time allows, hear your testimony.

Dated: January 11, 2012.

George H. Sheldon,
Acting Assistant Secretary for Children and Families

Fiscal Year (FY) 2012 Coordinated Tribal Assistance Solicitation

Fiscal Year (FY) 2012 Coordinated Tribal Assistance Solicitation (CTAS) is now open to federally recognized tribes or tribal consortium. You can submit a single application and select from 10 competitive grant programs. This year $101.5 million is available grant programs administered by the Office of Justice Programs (OJP), the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) and the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW). The funding can be used to conduct comprehensive planning, enhance law enforcement, bolster justice systems, support and enhance tribal efforts to prevent and control delinquency and strengthen the juvenile justice system, prevent youth substance abuse, serve sexual assault and elder victims, and support other efforts to combat crimes and assist law enforcement. This FY 2012 CTAS solicitation reflects improvements and refinements from earlier versions based on your feedback during tribal consultations and listening sessions, from a specially developed assessment tool about the application experience, and from written comments from applicants and grantees. Federally recognized tribes may apply until 9:00 PM ET on Wednesday, April 18, 2012.

FY 2012 CTAS enhancements include:

• A new strategic planning pilot program;
• A question and answer template option;
• Adjustment to purpose areas to allow for greater flexibility in funding requests; and
• A request for data on tribe demographics to better capture and describe the unique characteristics of each tribe.

Read the solicitation to learn all the specifics of this open program. The CTAS 2012 fact sheet further describes the programs available.

This year all applications should go through the DOJ’s Community Partnerships Grants Management System (CPGMS). The CPGMS will begin accepting electronic applications on January 23, 2012.

This website however, houses samples all of the documents necessary to apply to the solicitation. Here you can peruse and study the solicitation and all forms to be completed during the application process.

How to Apply: This web page has step by step procedures.

Important Warning! Each Tribe or Tribal consortium will be allowed only one application submission. An application can be revised in CPGMS up until the application deadline, April 18, 2012. Please note that only the final version of an application submitted in CPGMS will be considered. If a Tribe submits more than one application, only one application will be considered in the review process.