Resource Library
Public health emergencies, including infectious disease outbreaks and natural disasters, are issues that every community faces. To address these threats, it is critical for all jurisdictions to understand how law can be used to enhance public health preparedness, as well as improve collaboration and coordination across jurisdictions. This Resource Library is designed to provide relevant resources to Tribal Nations seeking to enhance their legal preparedness capacity. While most resources have a Tribal focus, some resources are included that are generally applicable to legal preparedness for public health emergencies and natural disasters.
Other Documents
Addressing the Opioid Epidemic in American Indian and Alaska Native Communities
This policy paper looks at the issue of how the opioid epidemic poses one of the most significant public health threats in recent history to the AI/AN community and puts forward a number of policy recommendations for consideration. National Indian Health Board
Amicus Curiae for In Re National Prescription Opioid Litigation
This Amicus Brief was brought forward by American Indian and Alaska Native Tribes, inter-Tribal organizations, and Tribal organizations designated by Tribal governments to carry out health care and other governmental functions. The parties argue that the opioid crisis has uniquely and disproportionately affected Indian Country; therefore, the crisis, coupled with two centuries of abuse, call for Tribal interests to be independently represented in the multidistrict litigation. United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, Eastern Division
An Introduction to State Public Health for Tribal Leaders
This document explores the history of health-related federal laws for state health agencies, the state health governance system, the role of the Tribal health leader in establishing partnerships with state health agencies, and tips on how to create successful partnerships between state health agencies and Tribes and Tribal organizations. Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (2013)
Arizona Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever Handbook
This handbook provides an epidemiological and historical background of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF) in Arizona, presents a sustainable framework for human case surveillance, and outline response strategies to minimize the disease threat. This handbook represents a compilation of RMSF best practices and recommendations that each tribal and local public health entity can utilize to develop their own protocols specific to their jurisdiction. Arizona Department of Health Services (July 1, 2017)
Barriers to Collaboration between Tribal and County Governments: Planning for Major Disasters and Other Emergencies
This document is intended for policymakers, Tribal advisors and elected officials, multi-level offices of emergency services or homeland security, state departments of public health, and for the various emergency management and government associations, administrators, and related Native American agencies and their forums, to assist with coordination of emergency response efforts across jurisdictions. California Rural Indian Health Board (January 31, 2016)
Case Study: Public Health Shared Services: Northeast Kansas (NEK) Multi-County Health Department
This document features three counties in Northeast Kansas that are engaged in cross-jurisdictional sharing to deliver essential public health services. Kansas Health Institute (August 2015)
Contracts and MOUs: Understanding Key Terms
This document explains the difference between a contract and a memorandum of understanding (MOU). ChangeLab Solutions (2013)
Crossing the Bridge: Tribal-State-Local Collaboration
This document discusses how to prepare to collaborate by planning internally and how to plan together as collaborators, then offers tips for the ongoing collaboration. The authors look at roadblocks along the way and suggest some alternate routes to reach the common destination. Tribal Law and Policy Institute (2019)
Current & Planned Shared Service Arrangements Among Wisconsin’s Local & Tribal Health Departments: Brief Project Summary
This document overviews current and planned shared service arrangements among local and Tribal health departments in Wisconsin. Institute for Wisconsin’s Health, Inc. (October 2012)
Emergency Declarations and Authorities Factsheet
This factsheet assists state agencies in understanding the scope of state and federal emergency authorities and how they interact. Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (2012)
Emergency Preparedness Handbook for Tribal Governments
This resource helps Tribes develop and implement an emergency preparedness plan for responding to natural and man-made disasters if and when they occur. Mountain Plains Consortium (December 2014)
Emergency Preparedness in Indian Country and Tribal Preservation Planning Needs: Recommendations and Resources for Tribes and Other Stakeholders
This document aims to assist those interested in taking action to better integrate cultural resources into emergency preparedness and response. National Association of Tribal Historic Preservation Officers (NATHPO) and Narragansett Indian Tribal Historic Preservation Office (NITHPO) (March 2017)
Exploring Service Sharing to Improve Tribal Public Health
This is the full report of Wisconsin Tribal public health leaders’ exploration of service sharing between/among tribal health departments, local health departments and state health departments, as a strategy to increase capacity, efficiency and program effectiveness. Institute for Wisconsin’s Health, Inc. (September 2014)
Exploring Service Sharing to Improve Tribal Public Health: Agreement Examples and Worksheet
This document includes examples of existing service sharing agreements involving Tribal health departments and a worksheet that may be useful to Tribal health departments considering development of a memorandum of understanding. Institute for Wisconsin’s Health, Inc. (September 2014)
Exploring Service Sharing to Improve Tribal Public Health: Practice Brief
This document provides an abbreviated version of Wisconsin Tribal public health leaders’ exploration of service sharing between/among Tribal health departments, local health departments and state health departments, as a strategy to increase capacity, efficiency and program effectiveness. Institute for Wisconsin’s Health, Inc. (September 2014)
Government to Government Models of Cooperation Between States and Tribes
This document examines existing models of state-Tribal cooperation on a broad range of issues. National Conference of State Legislatures (April 2009)
Local Government Collaboration in Wisconsin: Case Studies
This document provides a collection of Wisconsin-based case studies focused on collaborative and cooperative initiatives among public sector providers, including public health, fire, medical, animal control, dispatch, highway service, water, and sanitation. Local Government Institute of Wisconsin (2012)
Memorandum of Understanding between Ashland County Health Department and Bad River Health Services
This document explains the cooperation between Ashland County Public Health Department and Bad River Health Services in the event of a communicable disease outbreak, natural disaster, or other catastrophic event. Ashland County (Wisconsin) Health and Human Services Department (Undated)
Model Tribal Health & Safety Code
This document outlines key features of a HSC and to present a model format Tribes can use to develop their own codes. Inter Tribal Council of Arizona (2005)
National Emergencies Act, Sections 201 and 301 Factsheet
This factsheet provides an overview of sections 201 and 301 of the National Emergencies Act. Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (May 2013)
National Policy Matrix: Cross-Jurisdictional Sharing Arrangements between Tribes and Counties
This document provides information gathered by staff from the California Rural Indian Health Board (CRIHB), who interviewed representatives from the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI), the National Indian Health Board (NIHB), and each of the 12 Indian Health Service (IHS) Areas in order to gather information about knowledge of CJS arrangements between Tribes and counties throughout the nation. California Rural Indian Health Board/California Tribal Epidemiology Center (October 2015)
Opioid Crisis in Native America Fact Sheet Series #3 Overdose Reversing Drugs
This fact sheet provides a broad overview of the opioid crisis in Indian Country, including overdose-reversing drugs that are available to combat the opioid-related mortality rates. Tribal Law & Policy Institute
Opioid Crisis Resources for Tribal Populations
This factsheet provides resources, including funding opportunities, available to Tribal Nations and highlights national and Tribal statistics regarding opioid misuse. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
Reflecting on a Crisis Curbing Opioid Abuse in Communities
This paper summarizes the National Congress of American Indian’s 2016 Annual Convention and describes the extreme impacts of drug abuse Tribal Nations are facing, including how maternal and family health and the safety of communities have been impacted. The paper also describes the various ways the Tribal Nations are responding to the crisis. National Congress of American Indians Policy Research Center (2016)
Responding to the Opioid Crisis: An Update for Tribal Leaders
This research policy update highlights the impact of the opioid crisis on American Indians and Alaska Natives and discusses how Tribes need a multifaceted, collaborative approach to address this complex problem. The policy update offers options and recommendations that Tribal leaders can implement to combat the crisis. National Congress of American Indians Policy Research Center (June 2017)
Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act Factsheet
This factsheet outlines an overview of the Stafford Act, which provides the legal authority for the federal government to provide assistance to states during declared major disasters and emergencies. Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (May 2013)
The Opioid Crisis- Impact on Native American Communities
This factsheet describes what opioids are, the number of overdose deaths involving opioids among Native Americans, and rates at which individuals in these communities are misusing opioids. The factsheet specifically focuses on children within the community and offers tips to protect them against opioid misuse. Albuquerque Area Southwest Tribal Epidemiology Center
The Opioid Epidemic in Indian Country: What Tribal Leaders in Arizona Need to Know
The white paper consists of background data describing the epidemic in Indian Country, a policy analysis of the response to this epidemic and legislation introduced by Congress, and lawsuits filed by Tribes against opioid makers, distributors, and pharmacies. Inter-Tribal Council of Arizona, Inc (October 2018)
Tribal Public Health Law: Agriculture & Food Safety
This document shares Tribal examples of codes and policies related to agriculture and food safety. National Congress of American Indians (2014)
Tribal Public Health Law: Alcohol, Tobacco, & Other Drugs
This document shares Tribal examples of codes and policies related to alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs. National Congress of American Indians (2014)
Tribal Public Health Law: Environmental Health
This document shares Tribal examples of codes and policies related to environmental health. National Congress of American Indians (2014)
The contents of this website have not been formally disseminated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, ChangeLab Solutions, and the Center for Public Health Practice. The contents should not be construed to represent any agency/organization determination or policy. These website materials are for instructional use only and are not intended as a substitute for professional legal or other advice. While every effort has been made to verify the accuracy of these materials, legal authorities and requirements may vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction and change over time. Always seek the advice of an attorney or other qualified professional with any questions you may have regarding a legal matter.
