Port Gamble S’Klallam HEZ
Port Gamble S'Klallam HEZ Timeline (November 2024 - present)
November 2024
A letter was sent to Tribal Leaders and Tribal Partners informing them of the selection of the Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe as the first Health Equity Zone for Native Communities in Washington State. A letter requesting collaboration was sent directly to the Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe as well.
PDF of the November 2024 Informative Dear Tribal Leader Letter
PDF of the November 2024 Collaborative Dear Tribal Leader Letter
Zone for Native Communities Selection Process Timeline (October 2023 - October 20224)
October 2024
The Indigenous Advisory Panel convened to review, discuss, and deliberate the ten applications received. Selection was made after two days and the process for government-to-government communications to announce the Zone was started by DOH Staff.
July – September 2024
The Indigenous Advisory Panel spent time scoring the ten strong applications received through the submission process. Each panel member reviewed individually in addition to virtual meetings to discuss the selection process.
June 2024
Submissions for the state’s Health Equity Zone for Native Communities closed on June 9, 2024.
April 2024
The submission form closing date was extended to June 9, 2024 to allow more time for communities to apply.
A letter was sent to Tribal Leaders and Tribal Partners sharing this closing date extension for the Zone for Native Communities.
March 2024
The submission form for the Zone for Native Communities opened on March 18th, 2024 The Open Submissions page documented the submission process, scoring rubric, and other tools for submitters.
PDF of the Open Submissions Page in June 2024
A letter was sent to Tribal Leaders and Tribal Partners sharing the opening of the submission form for the Zone for Native Communities.
February 2024
Native community representatives on the Community Advisory Council formed a Zone for Native Communities Subcommittee to develop submission guidelines, which includes a zone definition, eligibility criteria, and selection process. The subcommittee invited input on the selection process from Native leaders in Washington and led recruitment of the Indigenous Advisory Panel reflective of Tribal and Urban Native communities from across the state. January 2024
The development of the selection process for the zone dedicated to Native communities started in early January 2024 by Tribal Community Representatives from the Community Advisory Council and the Indigenous Advisory Panel.
October 2023
A letter was sent to Tribal Leaders and Tribal Partners sharing an update on the process for the Zone for Native Communities.