Arizona Department of Economic Security
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Office of Tribal Relations Overview

Purpose of the Office of Tribal Relations

The Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES) works to build strong relationships with Arizona’s 22 Sovereign Tribal Nations.

DES is committed to working with American Indian Tribes to improve:

  • Quality of human services
  • Availability of services
  • Access to services

These services support children, youth, and adults.

Office of Tribal Relations Team

The Office of Tribal Relations (OTR) works to make sure DES connects with and is accessible to all 22 Tribal Nations in Arizona.

The OTR team includes:

  • Four (4) Tribal Liaisons
  • One Tribal Relations Manager

Tribal Liaisons support the following DES divisions:

  • Division of Aging and Adult Services (DAAS)
  • Division of Community Assistance and Development (DCAD)
  • Division of Child Support Services (DCSS)
  • Division of Employment and Rehabilitation Services (DERS)
  • Division of Benefits and Medical Eligibility (DBME)
  • Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD)

Standard of Work

OTR serves as a single point of contact for Tribal issues and works to ensure relevant programs and policies are efficient, easy to understand, accessible, and developed in consultation with the 22 Arizona Tribes. 

OTR also facilitates and ensures consistency and effectiveness in DES Program delivery to Tribes and establishes long-term consultative and collaborative relationships with Tribal governments through policy and direction. OTR provides guidance, assistance, and suggestions on various DES policy issues with a specific focus on Tribal Government Consultation and cultural awareness, and works to educate DES program staff about the Arizona Tribal Nations, focusing on particular strengths, needs, and opportunities for partnership and collaborations. 

To support Arizona's 22 Tribal Nations, the DES Tribal Government Consultation Policy ensures:

  • Open communication
  • Continuous and meaningful engagement

DES must talk with Tribal Nations before making policy changes that may affect them.

DES follows these five principles when working with Tribal Nations:

  • Commitment to a government-to-government relationship
  • Reach out to Tribal Nations and keep them informed
  • Hold consultations in a timely way
  • Work with other state agencies when joint Tribal consultations are needed
  • Engage with all 22 Tribal Nations in Arizona
     
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