Building Stronger Public Health Pathways: The Tribal DIS Policy Development Guide
Public health thrives on trust, relationships, and the ability to respond quickly to emerging health threats. For Tribal communities, this means having systems that not only meet national standards but also honor sovereignty, cultural values, and local realities. The newly developed Tribal Disease Intervention Specialist (tDIS) Policy Development Guide is a critical resource designed to support this work. This guide was developed through a collaboration between The Raven Collective and the Southern Plains Tribal Health Board (SPTHB), reflecting a shared commitment to Indigenous-led, culturally grounded public health solutions.
Why a Tribal DIS Policy Guide Matters
Disease Intervention Specialists (DIS) play a pivotal role in preventing the spread of infectious diseases—particularly HIV, syphilis, gonorrhea, and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). For Tribal Nations, having a culturally grounded framework for DIS programs ensures that disease prevention and partner services are delivered in ways that respect community norms, uphold confidentiality, and strengthen connections to care.
Historically, Tribal health programs have relied on state and local public health authorities for case investigations and contact tracing. While effective in some ways, this model can delay critical interventions and may overlook unique Tribal contexts. The tDIS Policy Guide addresses this gap by providing a comprehensive roadmap for building Tribal-specific disease investigation programs—rooted in sovereignty, cultural competence, and data stewardship.
What’s Inside the Guide?
The tDIS Policy Development Guide offers both foundational knowledge and practical tools for Tribal public health professionals. Key sections include:
The Role of a DIS: Clear definitions of responsibilities—from case investigation to contact tracing and partner services.
Confidentiality and Data Sovereignty: Guidance on HIPAA compliance, protecting patient information, and building secure Tribal data systems.
Collaboration with State and Local Health Departments: Strategies for navigating public health authority and formalizing data sharing agreements.
Case Prioritization and Interviewing: Tools for prioritizing cases (e.g., pregnant clients, people newly diagnosed with HIV), culturally responsive interview techniques, and safety protocols for field work.
Technology-Based Partner Services: Guidelines for using text, social media, and dating apps for disease investigation and partner notification.
Training Framework: A four-part training series to build tDIS capacity, with a special focus on working within Indigenous communities.
In addition to the guide itself, there is a robust set of supporting policies and documents that Tribal programs can adapt, including resources on:
Testing and Diagnosis
Case Investigations
Treatment and Prevention
Field-Based Prophylaxis and Partner Services
Data Sharing Templates
CLIA Waver Documents
And More!
3 Reasons Your Tribal Program Should Adopt a tDIS Framework in 2025
Advance Public Health Authority and Data Sovereignty
Building your own tDIS program means your community—not the state—sets priorities for disease response, data collection, and follow-up care.Strengthen Community Trust through Cultural Safety
Tribal-led DIS programs are rooted in relational accountability, cultural humility, and trauma-informed approaches. This builds trust and improves outcomes.Respond Faster and Smarter to STI and Syndemic Health Challenges
With a Tribal-specific framework, your team can intervene earlier, support clients more holistically, and prevent future infections by addressing interconnected health and social issues.
We Want to Hear From You
This guide is a living document. If you have feedback or suggestions—or if your Tribe has model policies or templates that could strengthen the tDIS toolkit—we invite you to help us expand this work.
To share feedback or contribute to the growing library of supporting policies and documents, please email Ashley Hoover.