TRIBAL ACTION PLANS

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. What is the purpose of the Tribal Action Plan (TAP)?

The TAP provides an opportunity for Tribes to take a proactive role in addressing alcohol and 

substance abuse in their communities. The TAP can help a Tribe to identify existing strengths 

and resources within their communities; assess their substance abuse prevention and treatment 

needs; coordinate available resources and programs; identify gaps in services; work with the 

community to identify urgent or emerging substance abuse issues; and assist in the development 

of a comprehensive strategy to reduce and prevent alcohol and substance abuse in their 

community. The intent of the TAP is to have a Tribally- driven process where the community

has a sense of “ownership” of the TAP.

To the greatest extent possible, the TAP should be developed by the Tribe itself not for the Tribe 

by outsiders.

2. What is the benefit of a TAP to a Tribal community?

The TAP will provide a map for how a tribal community may come together to share their 

history, culture, tradition, ideas, and resources to improve the overall quality of health and 

wellness for the community. The TAP is a strategy identified by a Tribe that is localized and 

specific to the community’s strengths and resources as well as needs and challenges, and 

supports the principle of Tribal self-determination. The TAP provides an opportunity for tribes 

to take a proactive role in addressing alcohol and substance abuse in ways that are culturally

responsive. The TAP is a “living document” that is used as a guide by line-staff, managers, 

administrators, and tribal officials so that each level of accountability supports the other in a 

coordinated way. Tribes that commit to the implementation of a TAP are ultimately more likely

to succeed in reducing alcohol and substance abuse. When implemented, the process provides a 

road map for successful and comprehensive community plans to foster sustained long term 

change in tribal communities.

3. What resources are available to assist with TAP development and implementation?

The Indian Alcohol and Substance Abuse (IASA) Coordinating Committee, which includes 

representatives from 3 major federal partners, including HHS, DOJ and DOI, are committed to 

providing training and technical assistance resources to Tribes in support of the development of 

their TAP. Federal partners may assist in the development and implementation of a Tribe’s TAP 

by identifying and coordinating available resources and services to support and help sustain the 

TAP; entering into an agreement with the Tribe for the implementation of the TAP; developing

and maintaining a system of close and continuous communication with Tribes to identify

available resources to maximize the benefits of intervention strategies and services to Tribes; 

and facilitating and supporting Tribes in providing specific training and technical assistance to 

multi-disciplinary and multi-agency members, allied experts, and community members who are 

key to the efforts and programs in the TAP. Federal agencies are developing an inventory of 

available resources in Indian Country and these will be made available on the Tribal Law and 

Order Act (TLOA) website which will be updated frequently. Please visit the following website 

link for additional information: http://www.samhsa.gov/tloa/. For more information on the 
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Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) Office of Indian 

Alcohol and Substance Abuse (OIASA) activities, information, and resources available, please 

contact:

OIASA

SAMHSA

5600 Fishers Lane, 15E 10E

Rockville, MD 20857

Office: (240) 276-2486

E-mail:IASA@samhsa.hhs.gov

4. Do you have a sample Tribal resolution?

Yes, there is a sample Tribal resolution in the TAP Guidelines’ Appendix A which is available 

at the following Web site link: https://www.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/sample-tribalresolution.pdf

5. Do you have a sample TAP?

The Tribal Law and Order Act does not prescribe a specific format or template for the TAP.

This allows flexibility for the Tribe to develop a TAP in a format that works best for them.

Minimum elements of an effective TAP are expected to include: 1) A Description of the Scope

of the Problem, including supporting epidemiological data where possible; 2) A Needs Analysis 

noting any gaps or change in services required; 3) Identification of existing resources: local, 

private; state, and Federal; 4) a Vision statement that guides planning and implementation 

activities; 5) a Strategic Plan that operationalizes required/desired partnerships and mobilization 

of resources to meet the service need and strategic vision; and 6) an Evaluation Plan that 

measure success and allows for continuous monitoring, revision, and improvement of the 

Strategic Planning goals and objectives. Tribes who have established a TAP will be asked 

permission to share their TAP with other Tribes to serve as a 

sample. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tO10noHQSOc

6. When the TAP is completed, who has access to it, and what happens next?

The TAP belongs to the Tribe. However, Tribes are encouraged to submit the TAP to the 

SAMHSA Office of Indian Alcohol and Substance Abuse. This will assist the Federal partners 

in identifying and coordinating resources that may assist the Tribe in TAP implementation.

Once your TAP is received, it is logged in and then submitted to members of the IASA 

Coordinating Committee TAP workgroup. Both OIASA staff and TAP workgroup members 

review the document and provide written comments with a focus on locating current and 

potential resources that would support TAP implementation. The Office of Indian Alcohol and 

Substance Abuse then compiles the comments it receives from TAP Workgroup members and 

submits those to the tribe. 

The tribe can expect to receive written comments and a follow-up technical assistance call 

within 30 days of receipt of the TAP to the Office of Indian Alcohol and Substance Abuse. 
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7. Where do I send my TAP and Tribal Resolution?

The TAP and Tribal Resolution should be submitted to SAMHSA’s Office of Indian Alcohol 

and Substance Abuse at the contact information below.

OIASA 

SAMHSA

5600 Fishers Lane, 15E 10E

Rockville, MD 20857

Office: (240) 276-2486

E-mail:IASA@samhsa.hhs.gov

8. What are the expectations for the Tribes related to the TAP?

The governing body of the Tribe may, at its discretion, adopt a resolution for the establishment 

of a TAP to coordinate available resources and programs in an effort to combat alcohol and 

substance abuse among its members. This may include establishing a Tribal Coordinating

Committee at the local level. The TAP should be updated every two years and should be used by

the Tribe, its staff, and partners as an ongoing framework for addressing issues of alcohol and 

substance abuse.

9. What are the expectations for the Federal partners related to the TAP?

It is the responsibility of the federal partners to assist tribal communities in addressing alcohol 

and substance abuse with a commitment to honor, preserve, and protect our government-togovernment relationship. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 

Indian Health Service (IHS), the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), the Bureau of Indian 

Education (BIE), and the Department of Justice (DOJ), to the extent possible, will fulfill the 

legislative intent of TLOA and its subsequent amendments to coordinate resources that will 

improve the overall health and well-being of tribal members, families, and communities.

Federal partners will cooperate with tribes in the development of a TAP and will enter into an 

agreement with the Tribe for the implementation of the TAP. If the Tribe does not adopt such a 

resolution within 90 days after publication of the Memorandum of Agreement in the Federal

Register, the BIA Agency and BIE Superintendents, where appropriate, and the IHS Chief 

Executive Officer serving the Tribe(s) will enter into an agreement to identify and coordinate 

available programs and resources to carry out the purposes of the TLOA.

10. Should the Tribe establish a Tribal Coordinating Committee?

Yes, the Tribe should establish a Tribal Coordinating Committee. A Tribal Coordinating 

Committee (TCC) will consist of a Tribal representative, who shall serve as TCC Chair, the BIA

Agency and BIE Superintendents, where appropriate, and the IHS Chief Executive Officer, or 

their representative. Other important and interested persons may include members of the

community and/or service providers. The TCC will have the primary responsibility for the 

implementation of the TAP, for on-going review and evaluation of, and making

recommendations to the Tribe relating to the TAP; and for scheduling Federal, Tribal, or other 

personnel for training in the prevention and treatment of alcohol and substance abuse. As 

problems arise in the development of service coordination, it will be the responsibility of the 

TCC to identify and address them. The TCC will provide technical assistance where problems 

concerning coordination of services have developed. The organizational structure of the TCC 

should promote the most efficient and effective means of achieving its basic goals and 

objectives.
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11. Is there any funding to support the development of the TAP?

Funding is not available to support the development of a TAP. However, tribes should consider 

a variety of funding sources including funding announcements for opportunities that include the 

work of developing and implementing a TAP or strategic plan to address alcohol and substance

abuse issues.

12. What if my Tribe already has a strategic plan that covers part of the TAP goals?

A Tribal Action Plan is a tribal specific version of what may also be known as a strategic plan so 

existing plans that address TAP goals can be used or modified to meet the needs of tribal 

communities. There are many models and processes that have been used by tribal communities 

and some of these models have been identified in the TAP Guidelines on pages 11 – 24 which is 

available at the following Web site 

link: https://www.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/tribalactionplanguidelines_508c.pdf

13. If I already receive technical assistance/consultation through a current federal grant, can 

they help me with the TAP?

This will depend on the type of funding you receive, the grant program goals, the technical 

assistance contractor’s scope of work and budget, and how closely related the technical 

assistance is to the tribe’s TAP. You should contact your Government Project Officer for

clarification and guidance. You may also contact the SAMHSA OIASA Office at (240) 276-

2486 for assistance.

14. If a private consultant offers to develop a TAP with our Tribe, can we use tribal funds to 

pay for that?

A Tribe may choose to allocate tribal funds to independently enter into a contract with a private 

consultant who may assist with the development of a TAP. Such a decision should keep the best 

interests of the Tribe and tribal ownership of the process and product in mind.

15. What qualifications should we look for in someone to help us develop the TAP?

The individual should possess cultural knowledge and have experience and knowledge of Tribal 

governments, resources to address substance abuse, and strategic planning. The individual 

should have a balance of cultural knowledge, relationship skills, and the technical skills needed 

to develop a comprehensive TAP. The individual should be made aware that the work and

strategic plan developed belongs to the Tribe.