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U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Office of Direct Service and Contracting Tribes

Tribal Delegation Meetings (TDMs)

Tribal Delegation Meetings (TDMs) give Indian Tribes the opportunity to meet one-on-one with the IHS Director or a designated representative. These meetings are used to discuss specific healthcare issues, concerns, or priorities affecting Tribal communities. TDMs are considered the most personalized type of Tribal Consultation.

The Office of Tribal and Urban Affairs, Division of Tribal Coordination, helps organize and manage these meetings. This includes scheduling, planning, coordinating communication, and tracking the topics discussed. Meetings may take place at IHS Headquarters, during national events, or at other locations, and are available to Direct Service, Title I, and Title V Tribes.

How to Request a TDM

  • All meetings are scheduled by the IHS TDM Coordinator.
  • Requests should be submitted at least two weeks in advance to allow time for planning and coordination.
  • Requests that need more urgent attention will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

When submitting a request, please include:

  • The specific topics you want to discuss
  • Any actions you are requesting from IHS
  • Your preferred meeting dates and times

Send requests to:

Tribal Delegation Meeting Request or email: IHSTribalDelegationMeeting@ihs.gov

Resources

Updates

  • March 6, 2025: IHS shared updates to improve the TDM request process.

Important Note

If an issue is currently part of an active Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (ISDEAA) negotiation, including technical assistance or appeals, it must be handled through that process, not through a TDM. This helps avoid duplicate discussions and keeps the negotiation process consistent.