California Area OfficeOffice of Tribal Affairs (OTA)
Wesley Simmons
Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (ISDEAA) Manager
Wesley.Simmons@ihs.gov, Office: 916-930-3981 x21319
The Office of Tribal Affairs (OTA) is located in Sacramento, California, within the Office of the Area Director for the California Area Indian Health Service (IHS), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). OTA serves as a central resource supporting the government-to-government relationship between IHS and Tribal leaders, Tribal Organizations, Direct Service Tribes (DST), and other American Indian and Alaska Native groups in California.
OTA advises the Area Director and senior leadership on the implementation of Tribal Self-Governance authorities under Title V of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (ISDEAA), Public Law 93-638, as amended, and serves as the primary focal point for Title I ISDEAA activities. The office provides policy guidance, technical assistance, and coordination to support Self-Governance and Self-Determination initiatives, working collaboratively with IHS staff, Tribes, Tribal Organizations, and the Tribal Self-Governance Advisory Committee (TSGAC).
In addition, OTA advocates for Direct Service Tribes in areas including health policy development, program management, and budget allocation, and advises California Area IHS leadership on DST priorities and concerns.
- Mission
The overall mission of the Indian Health Service (IHS) is to raise the physical, mental, social and spiritual health of American Indians and Alaska natives (AI/AN) to the highest level.
In all its functions, the Office of Tribal Self Governance (OTSG) supports the four IHS priorities: to renew and strengthen our partnerships with Tribes; to reform IHS; to improve the quality of and access to care; and to make all of our work accountable, transparent, fair and inclusive.
