Office of Direct Service and Contracting Tribes
The Office of Direct Service and Contracting Tribes (ODSCT) is located in the Office of the Director, Indian Health Service (IHS), Department of Health and Human Services, Rockville, Maryland. ODSCT is responsible for a wide range of agency functions that are critical to the IHS’ relationships with tribal leaders, organizations, and other American Indians/Alaska Natives. ODSCT is the Agency’s principal liaison with Indian organizations and more than 574 federally recognized tribes.
ODSCT
ODSCT provides information, technical assistance, and policy coordination in support of Indian self-determination. ODSCT is the primary focal point for Title I, Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act, activities and implementation and Direct Service Tribes (DST). ODSCT provides Agency leadership and advocacy for DST in the development of health policy program management, budget allocation and advises the IHS Director and senior management on DST issues and concerns. ODSCT also coordinates and collaborates with Direct Service Tribes Advisory Committee to host a national forum for all tribal leaders to discuss best practices, partnerships and resources to improve the Indian health care delivery system.
Strategic Goals
The Indian Health Service, an agency within the Department of Health and Human Services , is responsible for providing federal health services to American Indians and Alaska Natives. The provision of health services to members of federally-recognized tribes grew out of the special government-to-government relationship between the federal government and Indian tribes. This relationship, established in 1787, is based on Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution, and has been given form and substance by numerous treaties, laws, Supreme Court decisions, and Executive Orders. The IHS is the principal federal health care provider and health advocate for Indian people, and its goal is to raise their health status to the highest possible level. The IHS provides a comprehensive health service delivery system for approximately 2.6 million American Indians and Alaska Natives who belong to 574 federally recognized tribes in 37 states.