LIHWAP AT-2021-08 Tribal Designation Change 8 FY2021
Low Income Household Water Assistance Program
Action Transmittal
AT#: LIHWAP-AT-2021-08
DATE: May 20, 2021
TO: Tribal Executives and Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) Officials
SUBJECT: Instructions for Changing Lead Agency and Lead Official or Providing Sub-Designation for FY 2021 LIHWAP
ATTACHMENT(S): A: Sample Change Designation Letter, B: Sample Change Contact Information Letter
Purpose: To provide Tribal Executives and designated Low-Income Household Drinking Water and Wastewater Emergency Assistance Program (LIHWAP) Officials guidance regarding submitting a change of designation authority for the LIHWAP, a sub-designation authority within the designated lead agency, or updated contact information for a current designated office.
Note: If the tribal executive has previously designated a specific individual, rather than a designated lead agency, to administer the LIHWAP, we request that the tribal executive submit an updated letter using Attachment A to identify the designated lead agency, the lead official (i.e. individual within that agency that is empowered to administer LIHWAP), and their position within that agency, along with all requested contact information.
Instructions for Submitting a Change in Lead Agency Designation Authority
To change the Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) designated lead agency and lead official, the tribal executive within each tribe must write to LIHWAPTribes@acf.hhs.gov and identify a new designated lead agency that will be empowered by the tribal executive to submit a state plan and to sign any required certifications or assurances.
Please note that while the Tribal Executive has discretion to designate a lead agency and lead official, the agency selected must be able to coordinate with current tribal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Administrators regarding existing processes, procedures, policies, and systems in order to expedite the distribution and oversight of these funds. Current tribal LIHEAP officials and tribal LIHEAP program contacts are included in the distribution of this action transmittal to facilitate communication.
An example of a change in designation letter is included as Attachment A. The Office of Community Services (OCS) requests that the Tribal Executive use this attachment, as it includes specific language that is necessary to confirm a change in designation and contact information.
Please send the official designation letter to the following email address LIHWAPTribes@acf.hhs.gov along with a mailing address, phone number, and email address for the responsible tribal official and any assigned program contacts.
Instructions for Submitting a Sub-designation of Lead Official:
Please use these instructions if designated lead agency shall remain the same and the agency lead official is sub-designating the role of lead official within the same lead agency.
In order for OCS to change the contact information for the currently designated lead agency, the current designated official from the lead agency must email LIHWAPTribes@acf.hhs.gov, and identify the sub-designated tribal official within that agency and provide new contact information for the responsible tribal official and any assigned program contacts.
An example of a change in contact information letter is included as Attachment B. OCS requests that the lead agency within each tribe use this attachment, as it includes specific language that is necessary to confirm sub-designation.
Please send the official change in contact information letter to the following email address at LIHWAPTribes@acf.hhs.gov along with a mailing address, phone number, and email address for the responsible tribal official and any assigned program contacts.
Instructions for Submitting Updated Contact Information
If neither the lead agency nor the designated official role within the lead agency are changing, but that official would like to submit a change in contact information, new contact information as a successor to the role, or additional contact information, the current designated official from the lead agency can email LIHWAPTribes@acf.hhs.gov directly in order to submit updated contact information on behalf of themselves.
Contact and Questions
- If you are a prospective tribal LIHWAP grantee, please use the LIHWAP Tribes email at LIHWAPTribes@acf.hhs.gov.
- For general questions, please reach out to LIHWAP@acf.hhs.gov.
Thank you for your attention to these matters. OCS looks forward to continuing to provide high-quality services to OCS grantees.
/s/
Lauren Christopher
Director, Division of Energy Assistance
Office of Community Services
ATTACHMENT A — Sample Designation Letter
Dr. Lanikque Howard
Director
Office of Community Services
Administration for Children and Families
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
330 C Street, SW
Washington, D.C. 20201
Dear Dr. Howard:
I hereby designate [name of agency] as the lead agency for administration of the Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) in the [name of tribe]. This letter supersedes the previous designation letter submitted by this tribal executive designating a lead agency for LIHWAP.
The lead executive of the department, [name of current office holder], and any official successor to this position is authorized to make assurances of certification which may be required as part of the annual LIHWAP application process.
The mailing address for the agency is: [Mailing Address]
The phone number and email address for the responsible tribal official and any assigned program contacts are below: [Phone and email for each person]
This delegation of authority shall remain in full force and effect until modified or rescinded by federal or state statute or by the chief elected official of this tribe.
Sincerely
[Tribal Executive Signature]
[Tribal Executive Printed Name]
ATTACHMENT B — Sample Change in Contact Information
Dr. Lanikque Howard
Director
Office of Community Services
Administration for Children and Families
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
330 C Street, SW
Washington, D.C. 20201
Dear Dr. Howard:
[Lead Agency Name] has been previously designated by [Tribal Executive] as the lead agency for administration of the Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) in the [name of tribe].
As the lead executive of the [Lead Agency Name], I am writing this letter to sub-designate [position of official], held by [name of official] within our agency for the administration of the LIHWAP program. Hereafter, [position of official] will be authorized to make assurances of certification which may be required as part of the annual LIHWAP application process.
The mailing address for the agency is: [Mailing Address]
The phone number and email address for the responsible tribal official and any assigned program contacts are below:
[Phone and email for sub-designated official]
[Phone and email for other assigned program contacts as necessary]
Sincerely
[Signed by Agency Lead Executive]
[Printed Name of Agency Lead Executive]
Files
- PDF COMM_LIHWAP_AT-2021-08 Tribal Designation Change 8_FY2021 (182.92 KB)