The Navajo Division for Children and Family Services (NDCFS) provided a report to the Health, Education, and Human Services Committee (HEHSC) on the effort to amend the Vulnerable Adult Protection Act (VAPA) on Monday, June 15, 2026.
The NDCFS worked on revising the VAPA with partners over the last year. NDCFS Deputy Director Sonlatsa Jim informed the Committee that the proposed amendments have now been submitted to the Navajo Department of Justice for legal review.
Crescentia Tso, Department of Family Services (DFS) Manager, told the committee that DFS is planning to conduct a series of public hearings following the legal review to obtain community input and recommendations on the proposed VAPA revisions. The public hearings are being planned to take place beginning with one in July, two in August and two in September 2026.
“The Department’s goal is to ensure community members, caregivers, elders, service providers, chapter officials, and local leadership have meaningful opportunities to review the proposed legislation and provide input,” Tso said.
Tso also requested to partner with the HEHSC throughout the public hearing process to ensure Navajo Nation citizens are informed about the proposed amendments and encouraged to participate in discussion.
“DFS believes that a collaborative effort between the Department and the Committee will strengthen public awareness, encourage meaningful community feedback, and help ensure the revised VAPA reflects the needs, values, and priorities of the Navajo people,” Tso said.
In response to recommendations to explain the revisions in the Navajo language to the public, Jim said that the Division is planning to make the public hearings accessible for Navajo speakers and for those who are visually- and hearing-impaired.
Hoskie Benally Jr., President of Navajo Nation Advisory Council on Disabilities, thanked NDCFS Executive Director Thomas Cody and staff for holding work sessions to propose amendments to the VAPA.
“There are probably 35,000 to 40,000 Navajos with disabilities and, every day, people get abused,” he said. “This legislation is very important to us.”
Director Cody underscored the importance of the VAPA revisions to the Division as well. “VAPA is very important to individuals with disabilities to strengthen their protection and rights. It guides the Navajo Nation forward in how we work with them on a daily basis. We appreciate all our partners for assisting us with revisions, including Native American Disability Law Center,” Cody said.
The VAPA, also known as the Doris Act, was first passed in 2012 and pertains to adults 18 years and older. The amendments are long overdue as technology has changed since the act was passed, Jim said.
Tso said that in addition to the legislative revisions, DFS is also reviewing its Adult Protective Services administrative processes, procedures and policies to provide additional structure, consistency, and accountability to support the implementation of the revised VAPA.
The report was accepted by a vote of 4-0.
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