Partnering with California Native American Communities
The Department of Developmental Services (DDS) is committed to strengthening partnerships with California Native American tribes and communities to ensure equitable access to services for Native American and Alaska Native individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD).
Aligned with the DDS Master Plan for Developmental Services, the CalHHS Tribal Consultation Policy, and state and federal trust responsibilities, DDS is working to build meaningful relationships rooted in trust, respect, and collaboration.
Our Commitment
DDS recognizes CA Native American tribes as sovereign governments and the importance of honoring tribal input on program and policy decisions that impact Native American communities.
Our tribal engagement efforts focus on:
- Building consultation and partnership pathways with California Native American tribal governments in addition to Native American led organizations.
- Providing culturally and linguistically responsive services through Language Access and Cultural Competency Program (LACC) program support
- Expanding early identification and intervention for Native American infants and toddlers through the Early Start Tribal Outreach Initiative
- Creating space for dialogue and co-learning between the developmental services system and California Native American communities
- Policy Foundations
- Partnerships
- Annual California Native American I/DD Symposium
- Regional Center Collaboration
- Resources & Tools
- Contact
A statewide partnership between DDS and Acorns to Oak Trees, this initiative focuses on expanding culturally appropriate outreach to tribal communities and supporting early intervention for Native American infants and toddlers.
Bakersfield American Indian Health Project
Through a DDS Service Access and Equity Grant, Bakersfield American Indian Health Project provides culturally grounded training and support to help Native American individuals and families access regional center services and strengthen cultural awareness among service providers.
California Tribal Families Coalition
Through its partnership with California Tribal Families Coalition, DDS supported statewide tribal outreach, training, and resources to improve access to developmental services for Native American children and families. Resources developed through this work include the Tribal/Regional Center Lookup Tool, which helps connect tribes and regional centers and identify tribal services; the Tribal Children and Families Engagement Guide, which provides guidance for regional centers and I/DD service providers on working with tribal communities; and developmental screening and other resources for tribal families and providers.
Join California Native American communities, families, regional centers, service providers, Tribal leaders, and state partners on October 29–30, 2026, at Pala Hotel and Resort for two days of learning, connection, and collaboration.
Hosted in collaboration with Acorns to Oak Trees, San Diego Regional Center, and the Pala Band of Mission Indians, this year’s theme is Taking Action to Preserve Culture through Inclusion and Access.
The Symposium will support culturally responsive access to developmental services through shared learning, community connection, and discussion of promising partnerships and practices.
For additional information and Symposium updates, visit the DDS Tribal Engagement webpage Symposium tab.
Questions may be sent to tribalaffairs@dds.ca.gov.
- Tribal Children and Families Engagement Guide
- Language Access and Cultural Competency Program (LACC)
- SAE Grant Program
- DDS Master Plan for Developmental Services
- California Health and Human Services Tribal Consultation Policy (2022)
- Bridges Newsletter – Subscribe for updates and event highlights
- Acorns to Oak Trees
DDS Tribal Liaison
Email: tribalaffairs@dds.ca.gov
Stay Connected
Sign up for the Bridges Newsletter or follow DDS updates to learn more about upcoming tribal engagement opportunities and community events.
Last modified: August 26, 2026