ONAP Training & Technical Assistance
HUD’s Office of Native American Programs (ONAP) sponsors several tuition free trainings, technical assistance (TA) sessions, and workshops for Tribal Leaders, Tribally Designated Housing Entity (TDHE) staff, Tribal housing board members, housing professionals, community members, and nonprofit partners. Visit the Calendar of Events for current schedule.
To request training and TA on a particular need, please complete the Technical Assistance Request Form and contact your respective Area ONAP (AONAP).
Below is a brief overview of the training and TA process.
TA Request: ONAP grantees initiate the TA process. Tribes/TDHEs create a request based on their community housing needs. Tribes/TDHEs complete the Technical Assistance Request Form and submit it to their designated AONAP. The AONAP submits this form into the HUD Exchange portal.
TA Request Approval: ONAP HQ reviews the request and submits an approval comment. ONAP notifies the Government Technical Representative (GTR) who will then approve the request and assign it to a TA provider.
Kick-off Call: The TA provider schedules a kick-off call with the Tribe/TDHE, ONAP, and the GTR. These meetings give Tribes/TDHEs an opportunity to clarify their needs and expectations for the TA. Tribes/TDHEs and the TA providers have a conversation to establish deliverables that will be formally submitted in the assignment workplan, TA delivery timing and dates, and participation preferences (virtual or in-person).
Workplan Submission: TA providers submit a workplan that details the tasks and budget required to successfully execute the grantee’s request in the DRGR system.
Workplan Approval: ONAP reviews the workplan to ensure it aligns with the Tribal needs and expectations established in the kick-off call. ONAP notifies the GTR who will then approve the workplan.
TA Execution: TA providers and subcontractors work with Tribes/TDHEs, and ONAP subject matter experts occasionally, to execute the assignment.
TA Reporting and Close Out: TA providers will seek feedback from the Tribe/TDHE. TA providers must send Tribes/TDHEs a participant survey to receive feedback on the TA assignment. After the TA provider executes the assignment, they will submit a final report TA that includes the survey responses and attendance data to the AONAP and ONAP HQ within two weeks of the TA event. This report closes out the TA assignment.
There are several types of training and TA available to Tribes and TDHEs. See the chart below for more information.
| Types of TA Activities | Direct TA | TA providers work directly with ONAP grantees. Most ONAP TA assignments fall under this category. |
| Group Learning TA | TA providers work with multiple ONAP grantees to increase Tribal capacity. | |
| Product Development TA | TA providers work with ONAP to develop, maintain, and operate websites or learning content that supports ONAP grantees. | |
| Needs Assessment TA | TA providers work with ONAP grantees to help determine the nature and scope of their needs. | |
| Data Analysis & Reporting TA | TA providers work with ONAP grantees to analyze and understand data. |
Training and TA topics must be for eligible activities under the NAHASDA (IHBG and Title VI) programs, ICDBG program, Section 184 program, and Tribal HUD-VASH program.
Some topics include, but are not limited to:
| Indian Housing Plan (IHP) | NAHASDA Essentials | Environmental Reviews |
| Procurement | Construction | Crime Prevention |
| Board of Commissioners | Tax Credit & Title VI | Program Income |
| Financial and Fiscal Management | Home Buyer Education | Renewable Energy |
| Managing Staff Burnout | Implementing New Technologies | Grant Writing |