We are proud to announce that firm partners Sara Dutschke and Samuel Kohn will be featured panelists at the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) 81st Annual Convention & Marketplace on October 30th. Their panel, titled “An Underutilized Self-Determination Tool: Public Law 102-477 and Integrating Funding Streams to Improve Effectiveness,” will explore how Indian Tribes can streamline the process of receiving and managing federal funds to support critical services. 

Tribal governments often receive funding from multiple federal agencies to support job training, economic development, and self-sufficiency initiatives. However, navigating the distinct requirements and reporting processes of each agency can be time-consuming and burdensome. Public Law 102-477 offers a solution, allowing Tribes to consolidate funding streams from up to 12 different agencies into a single access and reporting point through the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) at the Department of the Interior (DOI). This law simplifies the process, reduces administrative burdens, and enhances program effectiveness. 

The panel will highlight how Tribes can use self-determination contracts and self-governance compacts to integrate and manage these funding streams more efficiently. It will also cover current and potential new integrations from agencies such as the Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS), Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Justice (DOJ), Education, Commerce, and Agriculture (USDA), among others. Attendees will gain valuable insights from program administrators, 477 Tribal working group representatives, and legal experts on best practices for proposing integration and next steps for maximizing these opportunities.