S. 1779 would establish a program for tribal colleges and universities within the Department of Health and Human Services and to amend the Native American Programs Act of 1974 to authorize the provision of grants and cooperative agreements to tribal colleges and universities.
Detailed Summary
Tribal Health Promotion and Tribal Colleges and Universities Advancement Act of 2008 - <b>Title I: Through Higher Education: Promoting the Advancement of Tribal Health</b> - Through Higher Education: Promoting the Advancement of Tribal Health Act or THE PATH Act - (Sec. 104) Designates the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Minority Health within the Office of Public Health and Science of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as the coordinating officer for programs of tribal colleges and universities (tribal colleges) relating to health care workforce development and health promotion and disease prevention.
Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop and implement a formal memorandum of agreement with the American Indian Higher Education Consortium to establish programs to ensure equitable Native American participation in HHS programs, services, and resources and to provide technical assistance to tribal colleges.
(Sec. 105) Directs the Secretary to provide for grants, or enter into cooperative agreements with, tribal colleges to: (1) carry out annual, community-based, and culturally relevant health and wellness fairs at tribal colleges; and (2) assist tribal colleges to carry out health promotion and disease prevention programs and reduce health disparities in tribal communities. Authorizes appropriations for FY2009-FY2017.
(Sec. 107) Directs the Secretary to provide grants to tribal colleges to develop and strengthen public health professional degree programs. Authorizes appropriations for FY2009-FY2017.
(Sec. 108) Establishes in the Treasury the Tribal College and University Rural Health Equity Endowment Fund to establish and maintain an endowment for a health professions workforce development program at tribal colleges.
(Sec. 109) Directs the Secretary to establish a grant program to establish and maintain at tribal college offices sponsored programs for research, grant management, and coordination of tribal college activities.
Requires tribal colleges to report to the Director in FY2010-FY2018 on sponsored programs.
Authorizes appropriations for FY2009-FY2017.
(Sec. 110) Directs the Secretary to provide for competitive grants to, or enter into cooperative agreements with, tribal colleges to conduct research on health promotion and disease prevention at the tribal colleges. Limits the term of such grants or cooperative agreements to three years and establishes the minimum amount of grants at $150,000 for a fiscal year. Provides a one-year term and a $10,000 minimum amount for undergraduate research experience program grants. Authorizes appropriations for FY2009-FY2017.
<b>Title II: Advancing Tribes through Tribal Colleges and Universities</b> - Advancing Tribes Through Tribal Colleges and Universities Act or the AT TCUs Act - (Sec. 203) Amends the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 to require the Secretary of Labor to establish the TCU Native Prosperity Program to provide for grants to, or offer to enter into cooperative agreements with, eligible tribal colleges to promote economic development, entrepreneurship, community development, and sound fiscal leadership in Indian communities. Limits grant periods to five years, but allows a three-year extension on a non-competitive basis for tribal colleges that perform successfully.
Allows a tribal college to use assistance received under this Act to carry out specified activities, including: (1) microenterprise development; (2) business development and administration courses and degree programs; (3) entrepreneurship programs; (4) municipality planning and administration courses, degree programs, and in-service training; and (5) executive leadership training in economic development, planning, and emerging management issues. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into a cooperative agreement with the American Indian Higher Education Consortium to provide tribal colleges with technical assistance.
Authorizes appropriations for FY2009-FY2012.
(Sec. 204) Defines "tribal college or university" to mean: (1) an institution that is eligible to receive funds under the Tribally Controlled College or University Assistance Act of 1978; (2) Dine College; and (3) any of the 1994 Institutions listed in the Equity in Educational Land-Grant Status Act of 1994.
Status of the Legislation
Latest Major Action: 10/1/2008: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 1110.
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