September 22, 2004

ACF to Discuss New Funding Opportunities With Tribal Leaders

A conference with Native American tribal leaders is being convened by Child Support Commissioner Sherri Z. Heller. The purpose of the event is to discuss recently published federal regulations which make child support enforcement funding directly available to tribal organizations for the first time.

The funding regulation, published last March, enables HHS to make direct payments for administrative expenses to tribes, tribal organizations and Alaskan Native villages that demonstrate their capacity to operate a child support enforcement program. The regulation carries out provisions of the 1996 welfare reform law, which provided the option of direct funding of tribal child support enforcement programs.

The conference, sponsored by ACF’s Office of Child Support Enforcement (OCSE), takes place September 23-24 at the Hyatt Regency Bethesda.

“The Bush Administration is dedicated to helping tribal organizations by promoting common-sense reforms,” said Wade F. Horn Ph.D., HHS assistant secretary for children and families. “This conference will provide information to help tribes access funds and determine which funding opportunities are the best for them.”

The conference is the fourth in a series of comprehensive information and technical assistance forums for federally recognized Indian tribes and tribal organizations. Previous conferences were held in Seattle and Prior Lake, Minn. in June. OCSE also collaborated with the National Tribal Child Support Association to present information at a conference in Albuquerque in July.

“We are sensitive to the importance of tribal sovereignty and the need for flexibility in developing effective partnerships with and among the tries and states,” said Commissioner Sherri Z. Heller. “These conferences are part of our effort to make that happen.”

For more information on child support enforcement or the conference, go to: www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cse.