Tribal Self-Governance Program, Planning Cooperative Agreement

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The Indian Health Service is accepting applications for the Tribal Self-Governance Program, Planning Cooperative Agreement. The purpose of this Planning Cooperative Agreement is to provide resources to Tribes interested in entering the TSGP and to existing Self-Governance Tribes interested in expanding their PSFAs. Title V of the ISDEAA requires a Tribe or Tribal organization to complete a planning phase to the satisfaction of the Tribe. The planning phase must include legal and budgetary research and internal Tribal government planning and organization preparation relating to the administration of health care programs. See 25 U.S.C. 458aaa-2(d). The planning phase helps Tribes to make informed decisions about which PSFAs to assume and what organizational changes or modifications are necessary to support those PSFAs. A thorough planning phase improves timeliness and efficiency of negotiations. The planning phase also helps to identify issues in advance and ensures that the Tribe is fully prepared for the transfer of IHS PSFAs to the Tribal health program. The receipt of a Planning Cooperative Agreement is not a prerequisite to enter the TSGP. A Tribe may use its own resources to meet the planning requirement. Tribes that receive a Planning Cooperative Agreement are not obligated to participate in the TSGP and may choose to delay or decline participation or expansion in the TSGP based on their planning activities.

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