Native Learning Center Webinar on Housing Advocacy and Influencing Change
2025-04-10 13:00 - 14:30 (America/Chicago) | Virtual Event
This Webinar examines Tribal Nations and their citizens’ unique housing needs. Despite the growing need for safe, decent homes, federal investments in affordable housing on Tribal lands and Tribal Citizens living in urban and suburban areas have been chronically underfunded for decades, particularly in more rural and remote areas. Recent changes to federal Native Housing Programs have led to an even greater reduction in resources for communities most in need. Details regarding the upcoming Webinar are as follows—

Date/Time: Thursday, April 10, 2025 from 2:00pm to 3:30pm ET
Register Here

NIHB Webinar - Investing in Tribal Health: Strengthening Public Health for Future Generations
2025-04-10 13:30 - 14:30 | Virtual Event
April 10 at 2:30 pm – 3:30 pm Eastern
Register
Join the National Indian Health Board (NIHB) on April 10, 2025, from 2:30 – 3:30pm ET for a powerful webinar during Tribal Public Health Week 2025, highlighting the urgent need for sustainable investments in Tribal public health. During this webinar, we will explore the critical role of funding in strengthening health systems, addressing health disparities, and empowering Tribal communities. Tribal leaders, public health experts, and advocates will share insights on how financial support drives meaningful change and improves health outcomes.

With recent policy shifts from the current administration impacting federal funding and health programs, it is more crucial than ever to secure dedicated resources for Tribal health. Your support is essential in ensuring that Tribal nations have the funding and infrastructure needed to build a healthier future. Register today and learn how you can contribute to strengthening Indigenous public health systems and advancing health equity!

NIHB Tribal-Only Town Hall on the Proposed Reorganization of HHS
2025-04-15 13:00 | Virtual Event
April 15 at 2:00 pm Eastern
Register
The National Indian Health Board would like to invite you to a Tribal-only townhall discussion on the recently proposed reorganization of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on April 15 at 2:00 PM ET. The proposed reorganization of HHS, combined with a considerable reduction in force, would substantially impact Tribes, therefore requiring meaningful Tribal Consultation.
The departmental restructuring will mean significant changes to Tribal Affairs Offices across HHS, Tribal Advisory Committees, Tribal set-aside funds, and staffing for Tribal-serving programs. Some impacted agencies and operational divisions identified include:

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services (SAMHSA),

Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA),

Administration for Community Living (ACL),

Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health (OASH),

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),

National Institutes of Health (NIH), and

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

Tribal Townhall Registration Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/Z2_PfHFlQOKOqW6_S7D9_Q
During this townhall discussion, Tribal Leaders will have the opportunity to discuss how the reorganization will impact their Tribal communities. This event is Tribal-only.
This meeting is off the record and not for press purposes.
If you have questions, please email federalrelations@nihb.org
Further, if your Tribe or community is experiencing immediate impacts of this reorganization, we encourage you to share your story with NIHB here.

Dept of Transportation: Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Grant Informational Webinar
2025-04-15 13:00 - 14:30, 2025-04-17 11:30 - 13:00, 2025-04-23 12:30 - 14:00 | Virtual Event
The U.S. Department of Transportation will host three informational webinars on the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) discretionary grant program. The Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Notice of Funding Opportunity is now live and open for applications.
All FY 2025 SS4A grant applications must be submitted by 5:00 PM (ET) on Thursday, June 26, 2025.
These informational webinars will provide a general overview of the SS4A program and the grant application process, centered around individual emphasis areas. Prospective SS4A applicants are encouraged to attend.
April 15 at 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm Eastern
Register
April 17 at 12:30 pm – 2:00 pm Eastern
Register
April 23 ta 1:30 pm – 3:00 pm Eastern
Register
Please see the SS4A Webinar Series page for more details.

Indigenous Economic Development Communities of Practice Webinar: Natural Resource Management and Environmental Resilience and Adaptation
2025-04-16 11:00 - 12:30 | Virtual Event
April 16 at 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm Central
Register
Brief Description: Rather than serving purely as a constraint on economic development, many tribes and Native communities have incorporated natural resource conservation and management strategies into their economic development plans as a source of potential revenue, a method of reducing the vulnerability of the community, and a demonstration of their view that their unspoiled lands and ecosystems have value that exceeds the benefits provided by potential development or exploitation.
This session will address how natural resource conservation and management and environmental adaptation and resilience strategies that guide community economic development activities enable tribes and Native communities to examine economic development through the lens of sustainability and cultural appropriateness.

Purchasing Under FEMA Awards Training: Beyond the Basics
2025-04-17 10:00 - 13:00 | Virtual Event
April 17 at 11:00 am- 2:00 pm Eastern
Register
FEMA’s Grant Program Directorate (GPD) is offering a series of trainings on the federal procurement under grants rules applicable to recipients and subrecipients purchasing under a FEMA grant award. These virtual trainings will be facilitated by GPD’s Procurement Disaster Assistance Team (PDAT).
This interactive course presents core and advanced concepts of procurement under grants in lecture form followed by independent activities that apply the information to real-life scenarios.
This training is appropriate for FEMA award recipients and subrecipients, including:

State, local, tribal, and territorial government personnel
Nonprofit organization staff
Eligible private entities
Other non-Federal entities

This training is also appropriate for FEMA staff.
These virtual trainings will be delivered using Adobe Connect. In advance of a training, please test your connection.
Resources:

Procurement Resource Library

Webinar for SAMHSA Tribal Grantees: Connecting with Tribal Training and Technical Assistance Centers
2025-04-17 14:00 | Virtual Event
Register
When: April 17, 2025 – 10:00 a.m. AKST, 11:00 a.m. PDT, 12:00 p.m. MDT, 1:00 p.m. CDT, 2:00 p.m. EDT
Tribal training and technical assistance (TTA) centers offer a wide range of free, tailored support for providers working to prevent substance use and mental health challenges in Tribal communities. Backed by SAMHSA funding and other sources, the centers provide resources designed to honor and recognize Tribal knowledge and evidence.
Featured Co-Presenting Tribal T/TA Centers:

SAMHSA Tribal Training and Technical Assistance Center
American Indian and Alaska Native Behavioral Health Center of Excellence
Strategic Prevention Technical Assistance Center
Opioid Response Network

Who Should Attend?

Tribal leadership and organizations
Healthcare professionals, including licensed clinicians and peer support specialists
Behavioral health professionals, community leaders, and anyone supporting wellness initiatives in Tribal areas

T/TA Includes:

Webinars, online learning modules, and written resources—all accessible to a broad audience
Topic-based virtual learning collaboratives, communities of practice, and short-term training tailored to specific groups
Intensive, individualized TA for communities, tribes, and systems

Why Attend?
This 1.5-hour webinar is a unique opportunity to learn about other TTA centers, connect with peers, and access fundamental resources that will enhance efforts to promote substance use prevention and mental health across Tribal communities. We’re committed to supporting your efforts and strengthening outcomes for your communities.
Questions? Please contact Petrice Post at PPost@edc.org

National Association of SARA Title III Program Officials (NASTTPO) 2025 Annual Conference
2025-04-21 - 2025-04-24 | Hyatt Regency Milwaukee, 333 W Kilbourn Avenue, Milwaukee, WI, 53203, United States
The annual workshop will be held Monday, April 21 – Thursday, April 24, 2025, at the Hyatt Regency located at 333 W Kilbourn Ave Milwaukee, WI 53203.
For more information: NASTTPO
Previous Nasttpo Webinars: NASTTPO

Tribal Drinking Water Conference
2025-04-21 - 2025-04-24 | Grand Sierra Resort & Casino, Reno, NV, United States
April 21-24, 2025
Grand Sierra Resort & Hotel
Reno, NV
Conference website
Ensuring both the quality and ample supply of drinking water is a multifaceted duty. Tribal Utilities must possess financial stability, managerial competence, and technical expertise to meet immediate water needs while safeguarding community health sustainably. Join us, alongside EPA and RCAC, to expand your skills, gain insights, earn contact hours, network, and enjoy engaging activities. This is a unique opportunity to build your network of water professionals.
More details to follow, but for immediate inquiries contact: registration@rcac.org

Purchasing Under FEMA Awards Training: Introduction for Non-Disaster Grants
2025-04-21 10:00 - 11:00 | Virtual Event
April 21 at 11:00 am – 12:00 pm Eastern
Register
FEMA’s Grant Program Directorate (GPD) is offering a series of trainings on the federal procurement under grants rules applicable to recipients and subrecipients purchasing under a FEMA grant award. These virtual trainings will be facilitated by GPD’s Procurement Disaster Assistance Team (PDAT).
This training educates recipients and subrecipients on the federal procurement under grants rules applicable when purchasing under a FEMA non-disaster grant. It also provides information on domestic preferences and Build America, Buy America Act requirements.
This training is appropriate for FEMA award recipients and subrecipients, including:

State, local, tribal, and territorial government personnel
Nonprofit organization staff
Eligible private entities
Other non-Federal entities

This training is also appropriate for FEMA staff.
These virtual trainings will be delivered using Adobe Connect. In advance of a training, please test your connection.
Resources:

Procurement Resource Library

NAHASDA Intermediate webinar series
2025-04-21 13:00 - 14:30, 2025-04-22 13:00 - 14:30, 2025-04-23 13:00 - 14:30 | Virtual Event
April 21 – April 25 at 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm Eastern each day
Register
Series Information: This Virtual NAHASDA Intermediate Training will enable participants to create a more effective and efficient Housing Organization by increasing knowledge of IHA management and operations. It will lead to an improved delivery of Housing opportunities for the beneficiaries of your NAHASDA programs. We will discuss reporting requirements and required policies and governing documents. Participants will receive a comprehensive overview of NAHASDA rules and regulations. NAHASDA Intermediate provides instruction on program implementation and administration. Topic areas include Uniform Guidance, management and development capacity, eligible families, administrative requirements, policy development, the environmental review process and development process. Participants will have an increased understanding of the regulations and administrative requirements a Housing Entity must have in place to create and manage housing programs and projects effectively.

HHS Annual Tribal Budget Consultation
2025-04-22 - 2025-04-23 | Hubert H. Humphrey Building, 200 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC, United States
April 22-23
Hubert H. Humphrey Building
200 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC
The Annual Tribal Budget Consultation provides a forum for HHS leadership and financial officers to consult with Tribal leaders on funding and policy priorities for the Department budget. This year’s consultation will focus on identifying Tribal funding and policy priorities for the FY 2027 budget. HHS will identify specific issues for consultation in collaboration with Tribal Nations during the planning calls scheduled for March. These issues will be sent to Tribal leaders prior to the ATBC so that you can prepare your thoughts, ideas, and recommendations.
If you plan to attend the ATBC in-person one or both days at the Hubert H. Humphrey Building, please register here:

https://hhsgov.zoomgov.com/survey/NwBHVuDOW7eG79Aw__f-MSzFKJFApwwsTd-w1y0688mCsBzx3XA.s7r9D8axy-Ivvvwc/view?id=y7cTLruARA6VgFOiUNjUog#/sharePreview (-> click.connect.hhs.gov)

The Annual Tribal Budget Consultation also includes the opportunity for interested Tribal Nations to meet one-on-one with HHS Divisions to discuss Tribal-specific priorities. These 30-minute sessions will be held in private meeting spaces within the Hubert H. Humphrey Building. Various HHS agencies will be available to listen and contribute to the conversation. Please note that all one-on-one meetings are entirely in-person. To request a one-on-one meeting, please indicate the HHS agency or agencies you would like to meet with using the following link. Requests for one-on-one meetings must be received by 5:00pm ET on Friday, April 11:

https://hhsgov.zoomgov.com/survey/fPOrZTXmJX_v41dg1TiV1EsGqnxppA_vjTtcyYfan4HWZhJd54I.1kgqPsmlbpNsxED6/view?id=pzzUicnOQBWR3JuB3VWT8Q#/sharePreview (-> click.connect.hhs.gov)

ATBC Written Comment Period
Open January 17 – April 21, 2025
To further the meaningful impact of Tribal feedback on the development of FY 2027 HHS budget, they ask that Tribal Nations please submit written comments for the consultation record by April 21, 2025, at 5:00pm ET to consultation@hhs.gov. Please include the subject line “HHS Annual Tribal Budget Consultation” with your transmittal.

Tribal Housing Leadership Workshop
2025-04-22 - 2025-04-24 | 123 Easy Street, Nashville, TN, 37211, United States
Tuesday, April 22, 2025 – Thursday, April 24, 2025
Register
Registration is now open for the Southern Plains Indian Housing Association’s Leadership Training, occurring from April 22 to 24, 2025. The training will be instructed by Dr. William R. Latchford, DCJ, President of Native Peacekeeper Consulting Group, LLC.
Time:

Tuesday, April 22nd, 2025 1:30 PM – 4:30 PM
Wednesday, April 23rd, 2025 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM and 1:30 PM – 4:30 PM
Thursday, April 24th, 2025 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM and 1:30 PM – 4:30 PM

Training Description: This three-day workshop is a tool for your leadership development. It is designed to help you create and accomplish your personal best, and to help you lead others to get extraordinary things done. At its core, leadership means setting goals, lighting a path, and persuading others to follow. But the responsibility entails much more. Leaders must get their message out in a way that inspires, make the most of their limited time, and build roads to precious resources. They must negotiate alliances, improve their colleagues, and align the ambitions of the many with the needs of the organization. What makes for a great leader? Is it something to do with inward characteristics, such as confidence and focus? Is it more about outward presence, including charm and compassion? Or is it about the ability to create a vision and get others to commit to it? The answer is all of the above. By accepting the challenge to lead, you come to realize that the only limits are those you place on yourself.

NCUIH Annual Conference
2025-04-22 - 2025-04-25 | Westin Washington Hotel, 999 9th Street, Washington, DC, 20001, United States
Preparations are underway for the NCUIH Annual Conference
on April 22 – 25, 2025, in Washington, D.C.
The NCUIH Annual Conference provides a platform for Urban Indian Organizations, health care professionals, policymakers, community leaders, and advocates to come together and discuss critical issues related to urban Indian health. Please save the date and stay tuned for further details, including registration information and the complete conference agenda, which will be available in the coming months.
Conference Schedule Overview
Tuesday, April 22: Training for Urban Indian Organization Boards of Directors
Wednesday and Thursday, April 23 – 24: Conference Programming
Friday, April 25: Capitol Hill Visits for Urban Indian Organizations
Location
Westin Washington, DC Downtown, 999 9th St. N.W., Washington, D.C. 20001.

NEW Environmental Thriving Communities Grant Office Hours (For Applicants sharing geography with IN, MI, MN, and WI)
2025-04-22 12:00 - 12:30 | Virtual Event
The Minneapolis Foundation is hosting an Office Hours for applicants in the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Region 5, interested in applying for their Environmental Justice Thriving Community Grant. Details regarding the upcoming Office Hour are as follows—

Date/Time: Tuesday, April 22 2025 from 1:00pm to 1:30pm ET
Register Here

Reclaiming Native Psychological Brilliance: Wise Practices, a Tribal Behavioral Health ECHO Session
2025-04-22 13:00 - 14:00 | Virtual Event
United South and Eastern Tribes, Inc. presents the Reclaiming Native Psychological Brilliance: Wise Practices, a Tribal Behavioral Health ECHO Session. Native Psychological Brilliance refers to the intelligence, strengths, balance, innate resources, and resilience of Native people. This no-cost telehealth series will be held on the fourth Tuesday of every month at 1:00 pm Central/2:00 pm Eastern. Each session will be one hour in length.
April’s session will be on Sassafras Earth Education and will be presented by Dr. Jacqueline Vorpahl.
Who should attend? Tribal Nation health directors, clinic staff, counselors, social workers, physicians, nurses, Tribal Epidemiology Center staff, and anyone supporting Tribal Nation citizens through the health/behavioral health sector are welcome to join.
The one-hour Reclaiming Native Psychological Brilliance virtual series will provide an opportunity for participants to:

Gain skills on strength-based approaches in partnership with Native People to enhance Native behavioral health,
Discuss ways that Native brilliance is demonstrated and supports behavioral health, and
Learn about Native brilliance examples to share with behavioral health and other health care staff, as well as with local Tribal Nation citizens.

The concept of Native psychological brilliance will be celebrated through Native music videos and Native spoken word performances as part of each session of the Reclaiming Native Psychological Brilliance series.
Continuing education credits will be provided.
Register in advance for the session.
For questions, please contact the Reclaiming Team, at ReclaimingTeam@usetinc.org.

USET Office of Economic Development Webinar: Financial Literacy for Building Generational Wealth
2025-04-22 13:00 - 14:30 | Virtual Event
Join the USET Office of Economic Development for an essential webinar designed to highlight the importance of financial literacy in fostering generational wealth within Tribal communities. Attendees will learn how to promote financial education, access resources to build local financial literacy programs, and understand the impact of financial literacy on long-term economic growth.
When: April 22 at 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm Central/2:00 pm – 3:30 pm Eastern
Who Should Attend: USET/USET SPF member Tribal leaders, Economic development practitioners, Tribal financial advisors, and Tribal fund managers
Attendees Will Learn:

How to advocate for and implement financial literacy programs in their communities.
Resources and tools available to help create sustainable financial education initiatives.
The role of financial literacy in promoting generational wealth and long-term economic stability.

Draft Agenda
Registration: Register today.
Questions: For questions, please contact Rebecca Naragon, USET Office of Economic Development Director, at rnaragon@usetinc.org.

Indigenous Economic Development Community of Practice (CoP) Webinar: Accessing the Resources and Capital to Support Economic Development
2025-04-23 10:00 - 12:00 | Virtual Event
As Tribal Nations seek to develop a strong foundation for economic development activities and strategies, they must also identify the array of available sources of funding, financing and/or customers/clients that will support the enterprises and projects that will ultimately implement portions of these strategies. The third installment in this 3-part training series will explore the use of federal contracting to grow Tribal enterprises and 8(a) businesses, including training on various types of federal contracts and some important considerations that Tribal entities should be aware of as they seek out federal contracts.

Date/Time: Wednesday, April 23, 2025 from 11:00am to 1:00pm ET
Register Here

RESCHEDULED: Clinical Operations Technical Assistance Office Hours with James Spillane
2025-04-23 11:00 - 14:00 | Virtual Event
The April 16 session has been rescheduled to April 23.
The USET Office of Tribal Public Health (OTPH) is pleased to announce that starting January 15th we will be holding regular virtual office hours with James Spillane and OTPH Data Improvement Staff to offer technical assistance on a variety of healthcare related topics: Social Determinants of Health, GPRA measures, EHR templates and reminders, RPMS, iCARE panels, workflow management, and the Patient-Centered Medical Home model and accreditation. Please mark your calendars and feel free to drop by during these times.
When: The third Wednesday of the month at 11:00 pm – 2:00 pm Central/12:00 pm – 3:00 pm Eastern
Who should attend: USET member Tribal Nations Health Directors and Clinical Staff
Learning Objectives: These office hours are a great opportunity to discuss any questions, requests, or concerns you or your clinical staff may have regarding:

Social Determinants of Health
GPRA measures
EHR templates and reminders
RPMS
iCARE panels
workflow management
Patient-Centered Medical Home model and accreditation

Registration: Registration is not required.
Join via Zoom: Zoom link
Questions: Please contact Hailey Wade, USET Public Health Planning & Infrastructure Program Manager, at hwade@usetinc.org.

IRS Office Hours on Pre-Filing Registration Process for Elective Payment and Transfer of Clean Energy and CHIPS Credits
2025-04-23 12:00 - 13:30 | Virtual Event
The IRS is offering office hours (through Microsoft Teams) to help entities with the pre-filing registration process on the IRA/CHIPS Pre-filing Registration Tool. Pre-filing registration is a required step for applicable entities and eligible taxpayers to take advantage of elective payment or transfer of credits available in the Inflation Reduction Act and CHIPS Act. Representatives from the IRS will be available to answer your pre-filing registration questions.
Registration for office hours is open. Registration is required and can be completed by clicking on the links below.

Date
Time
Register

January 15, 2025
1-2:30 p.m. Eastern time
Register

January 29, 2025
1-2:30 p.m. Eastern time
Register

February 12, 2025
1-2:30 p.m. Eastern time
Register

February 26, 2024
1-2:30 p.m. Eastern time
Register

March 12, 2025
1-2:30 p.m. Eastern time
Register

March 26, 2025
1-2:30 p.m. Eastern time
Register

April 9, 2025
1-2:30 p.m. Eastern time
Register

April 23, 2025
1-2:30 p.m. Eastern time
Register

May 7, 2025
1-2:30 p.m. Eastern time
Register

May 21, 2025
1-2:30 p.m. Eastern time
Register

June 4, 2025
1-2:30 p.m. Eastern time
Register

June 18, 2025
1-2:30 p.m. Eastern time
Register

July 2, 2025
1-2:30 p.m. Eastern time
Register

July 16, 2025
1-2:30 p.m. Eastern time
Register

Workforce Matters: Listening Session for Tribal Leaders and Tribal Program Staff
2025-04-23 14:00 - 16:15 | Virtual Event
April 23 at 3:00 pm – 4:15 pm Eastern
Register
The purpose of this call is to understand how executive orders and shifting policies at the federal level are impacting Tribal led programs and Native-led organizations. What challenges are you facing? What support do you need the most right now as you navigate this period of uncertainty? By better understanding the challenges Tribal leaders and program leaders are facing, the Workforce Matters team can determine how they can be most helpful during this time.

3rd Quarter IHS DSTAC Meeting
2025-04-24 | Mary E. Switzer Memorial Building, 330 C St. SW, Washington, DC, 20201, United States
The Direct Service Tribe (DST) Advisory Committee (DSTAC) Quarterly meeting is to provide leadership, advocacy, and policy guidance. Advocating for Indian Health policies that advance DST objectives and priorities.
Date: Thursday, April 24, 2025
Time: 8:00-5:00pm ET
Location: Mary E. Switzer Memorial Building, Room 1402 & 1409, 330 C St SW, Washington DC 20201
Who Should Attend: Federal, Tribal, and Interested Parties

2025 Tribal Edge Summit
2025-04-24 - 2025-04-25
2025 TRIBAL EDGE SUMMIT
DATE: April 24-25, 2025
LOCATION: InterContinental – Washington D.C. – The Wharf
Who this event is for:

All tribal businesses: Tribal 8(a)s, NHOs, ANCs & Tribal Nation Leaders
Small, medium, and large government contractors
Executive Agency Contracting & Program Officials

What you can expect:

Information-packed sessions on the main stage as well as breakout sessions
Expanded networking opportunities for tribes, businesses, and partners
Strategies on how to partner with Tribal 8(a)s and the advantages it brings
Access to a community of tribal organizations and GovCon businesses actively seeking mutually beneficial partnerships
Stay tuned for our Call for Sessions if you have a topic that would resonate with our audience.
Here are some of the session topics we currently have planned:

Pricing Strategies and Challenges
Proposals Best Practices
M&A / Financial Investment
Accounting & Finance
Mentor Protégé
Life After Your 8(a)
Legal Case Updates
Human Resources Best Practices
Recruiting
Economic Development
CMMC: Cybersecurity
How to Sole Source

Environmental Thriving Communities Grant Office Hours (For Applicants sharing geography with AZ or NV)
2025-04-24 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual Event
The Community Foundation of Southern Arizona (CFSA) is hosting weekly Office Hours for applicants in Arizona and Nevada, interested in applying for the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Environmental Justice Thriving Community Grant. Details regarding the upcoming Office Hour are as follows—

Date/Time: Thursday, April 24 and May 1, 2025 from 1:00pm to 2:00pm ET
Register Here

Travois Webinar - Affordable housing development best practices: How to address your community’s needs
2025-04-24 13:00 | Virtual Event
April 24 at 1:00 pm Central
Register
Join for an in-depth discussion with experienced housing professionals from Indian Country about best practices for addressing Tribal housing needs, particularly for low- and moderate-income populations.
We will explore effective strategies and current challenges in launching affordable housing developments. Additionally, the conversation will provide tangible, practical tools to assist Tribal nations in making housing a reality for their communities.
Speakers:
– Adam Rose, director of partnerships and growth at Travois
– Brandi Liberty, owner of Heroda Bikax^e Consulting LLC

USET OERM Webinar Series | Reducing Lead in Tribal Communities
2025-04-24 13:00 - 14:00 | Virtual Event
The USET Office of Environmental Resource Management presents
the Reducing Lead in Tribal Communities Webinar Series
On October 8th, the Biden-Harris Administration issued its final rules of the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI). The LCRI has committed federal funding to make sure that all communities have safe, clean drinking water. USET’s Office of Environmental Resource Management (OERM) Lead Reduction Team has invited subject matter experts (SMEs) to share challenges, accomplishments, and the processes they are using to help them address potential lead contamination and reduce any risks by using the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) 3Ts for Reducing Lead in Drinking Water in Schools and Child Care Facilities guidance.
Lead is a naturally occurring heavy metal that is globally recognized as a substance that has serious health consequences if consumed, especially for children. The adverse health effects range from lowered birth weight and slowed physical and mental development in infants, to lowered IQ levels, impaired hearing, reduced attention span, and poor classroom performance in young children. Clean and safe water is essential and paramount to building a sustainable economy, successful educational and public health systems, and most importantly, a healthy and productive environment for children. Please join us for these informative conversations.

When:

January 23 at 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm Central/2:00 pm – 3:00 pm Eastern
SME: Ginny De La Cruz, Program Manager, Arizona Department of Health Services
Topic: Training – “Applying the 3TS approach in Arizona: A focus on Training”
February 13 at 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm Central/2:00 pm – 3:00 pm Eastern
SME: Holly Thompson Duffy, Environmental Health Science Manager, Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board
Topic: Testing – “Utilizing the EPA 3Ts to Test Drinking Water for Lead at Schools and Childcares”
April 24 at 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm Central /2:00 pm – 3:00 pm Eastern
SME: Ben Peyton, Senior Technical Assistance Specialist, United South and Eastern Tribes, Inc
Topic: Taking Action – The Road to Remediation

Who should attend: Tribal Leaders, Health Directors, clinic staff, Tribal Utility Staff, Environmental Directors and staff, Education Administrators, and anyone in the Tribal community would like to learn about the EPA’s 3Ts for Reducing Lead in Schools and Child Care Facilities.

What:

Learn about each module of the EPA’s 3Ts from subject matter experts from across the country;
Hear about the challenges our SMEs overcame while building out a lead reduction program;
See how federal funding can be used to test drinking water for lead in schools and childcare facilities;
Gain valuable knowledge of the EPA’s 3Ts program and how it can provide long term health benefits to Tribal communities.

Registration:
Register today

Key Speakers Information:
Ginny De La Cruz is an experienced public health professional with seven years of service at the Arizona Department of Health Services. Her work has spanned various areas, including skin cancer prevention, foodborne illness investigations, and currently, lead poisoning prevention. Ginny is the Program Manager for both the Arizona Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program, and the Lead Testing in Drinking Water Program for Arizona Schools and Child Care Facilities.
Holly Thompson Duffy is an Environmental Health Science Manager with the Portland Area Indian Health Board where she manages projects focused on reducing environmental health risks in the 43 member Tribal Nations it serves. In addition to providing core environmental health services, Holly manages the “Voluntary School and Childcare Lead Testing and Reduction Grant” which serves the 43 federally recognized tribes in WA, ID and OR. Prior to this she served for nine years as an Environmental Protection Specialist with the Portland Area Indian Health Service, managing an interagency agreement with the EPA to reduce the health risks of pests and pesticides by educating and empowering communities to use Integrated Pest Management (IPM). While there she also served as the technical lead on a project to collect valuable data on children’s exposures to lead, allergens, pesticides, and PCBs in Tribal childcare facilities. Holly is looking forward to sharing her experiences of environmental sampling in Tribal communities!
Ben Peyton is the Senior Technical Assistance Specialist for USET’s OERM Lead Reduction Program. He received his degree in geology at Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio in 2010 and has an extensive background in EPA compliance and groundwater sampling. He has brought his sampling experience to USET so that he can help ensure Member Nation communities that no child will ever have to suffer from lead exposure via drinking water. He is dedicated to his work and understands that reliably safe drinking water in paramount for all communities to have.

Questions:
For more information, please contact USET’s Lead Program team:
Jakira Saunders, Program Manager
Ben Peyton, Senior Technical Assistant Specialist
