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Chief Deb Garrett (Adai Caddo), and Chief Devon Parfait (Grand Caillou Dulac Band of Biloxi-Chitimacha- Choctaw). Through this presentation and ongoing outreach, the SNAP E&T team also committed to more regular community engagement. SNAP E&T staff will participate in community events, pow wows, and other tribal gatherings to strengthen relationships, maintain visibility, and provide opportunities for informal consultation and feedback. As a result of that meeting and ongoing outreach efforts, Louisiana anticipates scheduling future consultations with each of the tribes represented and other federally recognized Indian Tribal Organizations (ITOs) in Louisiana. Potential upcoming consultations may include: Tribal listening sessions (in-person or virtual) with each tribe to solicit feedback on the FY 2026 State Plan, discuss local workforce needs, and co-design potential SNAP E&T service models tailored for tribal communities. Joint workshops between SNAP E&T staff and tribal program administrators to review the E&T Handbook, align expectations, and address administrative or cost-sharing concerns. Technical assistance sessions to help tribes assess the feasibility of participating as E&T service providers or partners, including financial modeling, staffing, and infrastructure needs. Periodic status updates or check-ins after plan implementation phases, to allow tribes to raise concerns early, propose mid-course corrections, and collaborate on performance monitoring. Compounding these challenges, the enactment of House Bill 624 in June 2025 introduced significant structural changes to the administration of public assistance programs in Louisiana. This legislation transferred the administration, fiscal, and oversight responsibilities of SNAP and other family support programs from the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) to the Louisiana Department of Health. The transition will necessitate the development of new systems, staff restructuring, and extensive administrative coordination, diverting attention and resources away from ongoing tribal consultation efforts. As a result, the capacity to engage meaningfully with ITOs was further constrained during this period of organizational upheaval. Despite these compounded challenges, Louisiana remains committed to overcoming these barriers and ensuring meaningful consultation with ITOs in future planning cycles. Efforts to build relationships and initiate consultation are ongoing, with plans to consult and partner with the four federally recognized Indian Tribal Organizations in Louisiana as part of the SNAP E&T program. Moving forward, Louisiana aims to address these structural and capacity-related challenges to better serve the needs of tribal citizens in the SNAP E&T program. 1/29/26, 8:19 AM State Plan LA FY26 - Original Submission https://dam-fns.usda.gov/sites/default/files/microsite/snapet-lafy26stateplan//index.html 13/115