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SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES 

ADMINISTRATION TRIBAL TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE

CHARTER

JULY 2023

Background

The federal delivery of services and resources to maintain and improve the behavioral 

health of American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN) is consonant with and required 

by the federal government’s historical and unique legal relationship with Indian tribes, as 

reflected in the Constitution of the United States, legislation, and federal policy. In 

recognition of this unique government-to-government relationship the Substance Abuse 

and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) established the Tribal Technical 

Advisory Committee (TTAC).

Pursuant to Presidential Executive Order No. 13175, November 6, 2000, and the 

Presidential memoranda of September 23, 2004, November 5, 2009, and January 26, 

2021, the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) adopted a 

Tribal Consultation Policy that applies to all HHS operating and staff divisions, including 

SAMHSA. The HHS Tribal Consultation Policy directs operating divisions to establish a 

process to ensure accountable, meaningful, and timely input by Tribal officials in the 

development of policies that have tribal implications.

Consistent with the HHS Tribal Consultation Policy, SAMHSA established the 

SAMHSA TTAC as one method of enhancing communications with Tribal Nations. The 

SAMHSA TTAC Charter complies with an exemption within section 204(b) of the 

Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA) (Pub. L. 104-4) to the Federal Advisory 

Committee Act that promotes free communication between the federal government and 

tribal governments. In accordance with this exemption, the SAMHSA TTAC facilitates 

the exchange of views, information, or advice between federal officials and elected or 

traditionally appointed officers of tribal governments acting in their official capacities (or 

their designated employees with authority to act on their behalf).

Purpose and Function

The SAMHSA TTAC shall serve as an advisory body to SAMHSA on policy, process, 

and the delivery of behavioral health resources and services funded (in whole or in part) 

by SAMHSA. The TTAC will provide a complementary venue wherein elected or 

traditionally appointed Tribal officials, acting in their official capacity (or their 

designated employees with authority to act on their behalf), and SAMHSA staff will 

exchange information, views, or advice concerning tribal public health issues, 

identifying urgent mental and substance use disorder concerns, and collaborative 

approaches to addressing issues and needs.
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The TTAC will meet to facilitate the exchange of views, information, or advice 

concerning the implementation and/or administration of SAMHSA resources and 

services, including those that arise explicitly or implicitly under statute, regulation, or 

Executive Order. TTAC meetings will complement and not supplant the formal tribal 

consultation process between SAMHSA and Tribes.

The purview of the TTAC covers but is not limited to the following core functions:

• Identify evolving issues and barriers to access, coverage, and delivery of services 

to AI/ANs, related to SAMHSA programs.

• Propose clarifications and other recommendations and solutions to address issues 

raised at Tribal, regional and/or national levels.

• Serve as a forum for Tribes and SAMHSA to discuss issues and proposals that 

recommend changes to SAMHSA policies and procedures.

• Identify priorities and provide advice on appropriate strategies for Tribal 

consultation on issues at the Tribal, regional and/or national levels.

• Ensure that pertinent issues are brought to the attention of Indian Tribes in a 

timely manner, so that timely Tribal feedback can be obtained.

• Coordinate with SAMHSA on Tribal consultation initiatives.

Composition 

The TTAC is composed of 14 primary delegates. Twelve of the primary delegates will 

represent each of the Indian Health Service (IHS) Areas and two primary delegates will 

serve as national at-large delegates who possess national AI/AN behavioral health 

experience. In addition, TTAC will include 14 alternate delegates. Twelve of the 

alternate delegates will represent each of the IHS Areas and two delegates will serve as 

alternate national at-large delegates. The alternate delegates will participate in TTAC 

meetings when the primary delegate is unable to do so. Each TTAC delegate must be an 

elected or traditionally appointed tribal government official or designated representative. 

Primary Delegates: The primary delegate should be an elected or traditionally appointed 

officer of a tribal government acting in their official capacity (or their designated 

employee with authority to act on their behalf). A delegate must be qualified to represent 

the views of the Indian tribal nations in the respective area from which they were 

nominated.

If a primary delegate cannot attend a TTAC meeting, the primary delegate will notify, by 

email, the SAMHSA Office of Tribal Affairs and Policy (OTAP) Director. OTAP will 

then notify the alternate delegate prior to the meeting to participate on the TTAC primary 

delegate’s behalf. 

Alternate Delegates: The alternate delegate should be an elected or traditionally 

appointed officer of a tribal government acting in their official capacity (or their 
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designated employee with authority to act on their behalf). An alternate delegate must be 

qualified to represent the views of the Indian tribal nations in the respective area from 

which they were nominated.

In the event the alternate delegate will be participating on behalf of the primary delegate, 

the alternate delegate will be given full voting rights while acting as a representative of 

the primary delegate. When not acting as a representative of the primary delegate the 

alternate delegate may attend all TTAC meetings and activities but cannot actively 

participate (e.g., vote on TTAC matters) unless the seat is ceded by the primary delegate.

National At Large Delegates: At large primary and alternate delegates are elected, or 

traditionally appointed, Tribal governmental officials, or their designated representatives,

who are qualified to represent the views of their specific Tribe and of Tribes generally 

from a national behavioral health perspective.

Tribal Technical Advisor: The tribal technical advisor is a subject matter expert selected 

by a TTAC member to assist the delegate in their TTAC role. The technical advisor is not 

a member of the TTAC. The technical advisor may attend TTAC meetings as an 

observer.

 Nomination and Selection Process

 The OTAP Director will serve as the executive secretary for the TTAC. The executive 

 secretary will announce TTAC vacancies and request nominations from Federally

 Recognized Tribes. 

 Nominations for open TTAC delegate and alternate positions are to be signed and 

 submitted to the executive secretary on official Tribal Nation letterhead. Submissions must 

 include:

• Name of the nominee 

• Nominee’s official title 

• Name of the tribal nation 

• Date of the nominee’s election to official tribal position and term length 

• Nominee’s contact information (mailing address, phone, fax, and email) 

• Name of the elected officer submitting nomination 

• Official title of the elected officer submitting nomination 

• Contact information for the elected officer submitting the nomination and/or 

administrative office for the tribal government

• Confirmation that the nominee:

o has the authority to act on behalf of the tribal nation from which they are 

being nominated, and

o is qualified to represent the views of the Indian tribal nations in the area from 

which they are being nominated
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 The selection of nominees shall be prioritized as follows:

• Tribal President/Chairperson/Governor

• Tribal Vice-President/Vice-Chairperson/Lt. Governor

• Elected or traditionally appointed Tribal Official

• Designated Tribal Official 

The Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use and the Director of OTAP will 

be responsible for selecting and finalizing the body of members. In the event that there is 

more than one nomination in the priority list, individuals who had a letter of support from 

tribal organizations will be taken into consideration when selecting the primary and alternate 

delegates.

Leadership

 Co-Chairs: Two TTAC members will be elected by the SAMHSA TTAC members to 

 serve as Co- Chairs for a two-year term of service. The term of service will be recorded 

 and reviewed by TTAC members every two years. The number of eligible terms a member 

 can serve is not limited. Should a Co-Chair be unable to serve out the full two-year term, 

 TTAC members will elect a new member to complete the term. The Co-Chairs are the sole 

 officers of the TTAC.

Designated Federal Official: The Designated Federal Official (DFO) serves as the lead point 

of contact between SAMHSA and the TTAC. The Assistant Secretary for Mental Health 

Substance Use will delegate responsibility for the administration and operational functions of 

the TTAC to the OTAP Director, who will serve as the DFO. In addition, the DFO will: 

• Provide programmatic guidance, technical assistance, and administrative support;

• Select key SAMHSA leaders and staff to serve as resources to the TTAC by 

 providing leadership, technical assistance, and subject matter expertise.

• Monitor and tracks the total resources allocated annually to serve AI/AN 

 populations through SAMHSA programs and initiatives.

Period of Service

The TTAC membership term will be two calendar years. A member may serve successive, 

consecutive terms if nominated again when their term expires.

Vacancy: When a vacancy occurs on the TTAC, the executive secretary will notify the 

following of the vacant seat to solicit nominations: federally recognized Indian tribes; 

tribal, regional, or national organizations; AI/AN-serving organizations; and SAMHSA’s 

HHS partners (including HHS Secretary’s Tribal Advisory Committee and relevant HHS 

Operating Divisions and Staff Divisions). When a vacancy occurs, the executive secretary 

notifies the tribal nations in the respective area and asks them to nominate a replacement. 

Elected or traditionally appointed tribal officers must submit their written and signed 

nomination letter of a nominee by the deadline provided by the executive secretary. The 
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alternate delegate may attend and participate in TTAC meetings on behalf of the primary 

delegate until the vacancy is officially filled.

Removal: A delegate must make a good faith effort to participate in all meetings, conference 

calls, and other TTAC established communications. If a delegate does not participate in a 

formally called meeting or teleconference on three successive occasions, the respective 

delegate and nominating body will be notified of the removal and effective date. The TTAC 

Chair and Co- Chair will collaborate with SAMHSA to support delegate participation in 

meetings before any removal action is taken. To the extent practicable, SAMHSA will work 

with TTAC to determine meeting dates as far in advance as possible to facilitate member 

participation. SAMHSA may also request removal if a delegate fails to meet the requirements 

for TTAC delegates (e.g., loss of election or change in elected tribal position). Should 

removal action be taken, the process for nomination and selection will begin as outlined in 

this document.

 Meetings

 The TTAC will be convened a minimum of twice per year. Meetings may be in 

 person, virtual, or hybrid. One meeting will be convened at a time when other SAMHSA 

 national advisory councils (NAC) are scheduled to meet. As part of this meeting, TTAC 

 will participate in a SAMHSA Joint NAC meeting. The purpose of the Joint NAC meeting 

 is to share behavioral health information among SAMHSA’s standing NACs and senior 

 leadership. SAMHSA will provide onsite meeting coordination for all TTAC and Joint 

 NAC meetings. The second TTAC meeting will be convened in Indian Country or a 

 location that allows for increased interaction on tribal behavioral health matters. TTAC 

 conference calls and additional meetings - in person or via webcast - may be held as 

 needed pending the availability of funds.

 Quorum: A quorum is established when a simple majority of seated delegates are present 

 either in person or via telephone or other electronic means. In the event the TTAC is not 

 able to establish a quorum, follow up arrangements for the polling of delegates on 

 discussion items may occur via conference call or other manner. In the event the TTAC 

 is unable to establish a quorum for its meeting, then the TTAC Chair or Co-Chair, at their 

 discretion, can arrange for polling of delegates via conference call or any other manner. 

 Informational sessions may occur in the absence of a quorum.

 Voting: The TTAC will operate by consensus and where a consensus cannot be reached, 

 the TTAC will vote to resolve any differences. Each TTAC delegate (primary or 

 alternate) will be allowed one vote. If both the primary delegate and their alternate 

 participate in the same meeting or call, only the primary delegate will be counted for a 

 quorum and voting purposes. A majority vote of seated delegates is required and 

 immediate reporting of vote will be provided.

 Compensation: TTAC delegates shall receive the following compensation for in-person 

 meetings: per diem and travel expenses in accordance with Standard Government Travel 

 Regulations. Only the primary delegate shall receive compensation in the event that the 
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 primary and alternate delegates both attend a meeting. If a primary delegate is unable to 

 attend a meeting, the alternate or designated tribal employee may attend and the 

 aforementioned compensation will be covered by SAMHSA. A technical advisor may 

 accompany a delegate to an in-person TTAC meeting at the expense of the delegate’s tribe 

 or tribal organization.

 Meeting Summary: The TTAC meeting summary will reflect discussion highlights and 

 note recommended follow up actions. The recommended follow up actions for federal 

 action and/or attention will be tracked by SAMHSA and reported to the TTAC in a 

 timely manner. SAMHSA will make every effort to share the meeting summary with 

 the TTAC within 90 business days following the meeting. Once approved, the meeting 

 summary will be posted on OTAP’s Tribal webpage within 90 days to ensure that the 

 information is accessible to the public.

 Subcommittees

 The TTAC Chair and Vice-Chair, in consultation with the executive secretary, may form 

 subcommittees composed of TTAC delegates (or their alternates), as needed, to accomplish the 

 functions of the TTAC. To satisfy the UMRA exemption, the delegates of the subcommittee 

 must be: 

• Elected or traditionally appointed Tribal leaders acting in their official capacities; or 

• Designated employees of an elected tribal leader with authority to act on their behalf 

 Subcommittees must report directly to the full TTAC and must not provide any advice or 

 work products to a federal officer or SAMHSA. The TTAC can adopt and present such advice 

 or work to a federal officer or SAMHSA.

 Termination Date

 After initial establishment, the TTAC will continue as long as there is a charter and the charter 

 should be reviewed and updated at least every five years. The TTAC Charter may be amended, 

 as needed, upon approval by the TTAC and final approval by the DFO.

 Acronyms

 AI/AN American Indian/Alaska Native 

 DFO Designated Federal Official

 HHS U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 

 IHS Indian Health Service 

 NAC National Advisory Council 

 OTAP Office of Tribal Affairs and Policy 

 SAMHSA Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration 

 TTAC Tribal Technical Advisory Committee

 UMRA Unfunded Mandates Reform Act