Consultation allows tribes the opportunity to provide input on regulatory actions with tribal implications and is different from the outreach and public comment periods. The consultation process may include, but is not limited to, providing for mutually agreed protocols, timely communication, coordination, cooperation, and collaboration. The consultation process provides opportunities for appropriate tribal officials or representatives to meet with the state agency management to achieve a mutual understanding between both their respective interests and perspectives.

On Oct. 4, and Oct. 24, FNS in coordination with the USDA Office of Tribal Relations, the Oklahoma and Washington SNAP state and implementing agencies along with tribal partners, conducted two virtual webinars to discuss the memos, requirements, and offer best practices for conducting state/tribal consultations regarding SNAP.

The webinars included an overview of the memos and discussion of SNAP regulatory requirements, as well as a special presentation on the history and importance of tribal consultations by OTR Director, Heather Dawn Thompson (Lakota, Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe). Presentations were also given by the Oklahoma and Washington SNAP state agencies detailing their consultation experience and best practices.

FNS encourages all program partners to develop consultation plans and engage in ongoing cooperative work to ensure that all eligible program participants have full access to FNS programs.