Native Americans and the Opioid Epidemic – Finding Solutions in the Workforce

Record Description

The U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration hosted a webinar on May 8, 2023 and brought together experts from Native American organizations and tribal entities to discuss the prevalent use of opioids in Tribal communities and how the workforce system combats the impacts associated with the opioid crisis. Following a presentation of an overview on the opioid and substance misuse in Native American communities, representatives from the Cherokee Nation shared how the tribe leverages its workforce system and Department of Labor grants to promote recovery and reintegration.

Record Type
Combined Date
2023-05-08T10:00:00
Source
Region
City/County
Publication Date
2023-05-08
Section/Feed Type
Latest Information from Network (Home)

Fiscal Year 2026 Job Placement and Training (JP&T) Native American Technology and Manufacturing Grant Pilot Program

Record Description

The Bureau of Indian Affairs has launched the Indigenous Growth in New and Innovative Trade Employment (IGNITE) Grant Pilot Program, a competitive funding opportunity that will support implementation-ready Tribal workforce development programs. The grants will prepare participants for careers in construction and infrastructure trades as well as emerging technology fields, including advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence, drone and geospatial systems, digital fabrication, and other STEM-related occupations. Programs are designed to lead directly to employment, apprenticeships, and industry-recognized credentials while aligning with local workforce needs.

For Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) programs, IGNITE offers an opportunity to expand employment pathways for participants by applying for funding or partnering with Tribal organizations that apply. This opportunity can help Tribal TANF programs connect families to high-demand careers, strengthen workforce partnerships, and increase access to training that supports long-term economic independence. Applications are due September 18, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. ET.

Record Type
Combined Date
2026-09-18T17:00:00
Source
OFA Initiatives
Region
City/County
Publication Date
2026-09-18

Pascua Yaqui Tribe: TANF Transitional Transportation

Record Description

This resource provides a peer example of transportation support designed to help participants transitioning off of Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) to access employment and related activities. It demonstrates how targeted transportation assistance can remove a major barrier to work participation. Tribal TANF practitioners can use the example to explore how transitional transportation services may help participants maintain employment, attend training, and successfully move toward greater self-sufficiency.

Record Type
Combined Date
2026-01-01T00:00:00
Source
Region
City/County
Publication Date
2026-01-01

2026 National Tribal TANF Institute

The 2026 National Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Institute will bring together Tribal TANF leaders, practitioners, and partners to share strategies, innovations, and lessons learned from across Tribal communities. The University of California Davis will host this event on July 14 and 15, 2026 in Sacramento, California to offer an opportunity for Tribal TANF programs to learn from peers, explore emerging approaches, and strengthen networks that support their communities. Sessions will focus on practical solutions, program improvement, and culturally grounded practices that help communities address employment, family stability, and economic mobility. For Tribal TANF practitioners, the institute provides a space to exchange ideas, discover new resources, and build connections that can support ongoing program development. There is a registration fee for participation.

Record Type
Posting Date
Combined Date
Sponsor
University of California Davis
Location
Hilton Sacramento Arden West
2200 Harvard St
Sacramento, CA
Event Date
-

2025 National Tribal TANF Institute

The National Tribal TANF Institute brought together Tribal TANF staff from across the country for an in-person educational experience in July 2025 in Davis, California. The theme, “Twenty Years of Tradition: Celebrating Today and Tomorrow Together,” emphasized the importance of honoring tribal values, cultures and traditions while also embracing new ideas, practices and innovations to make native communities stronger for future generations. Participants explored programs, opportunities and resources for tribal youth and young adults to help them transition into thriving adulthood.

Record Type
Posting Date
Combined Date
Location
UC Davis Conference Center
550 Alumni Ln
Davis, CA 95616
Section/Feed Type
Latest Information from Network (Home)
Event Date
-

45th National Indian and Native American Employment and Training Conference

The 45th National Indian and Native American Employment and Training (NINAETC) for WIOA Section 166 and Public Law 102-477 took place in Providence, Rhode Island in May 2025. This conference was dedicated to promoting heritage and culture.

Record Type
Posting Date
Combined Date
Location
Omni Providence
1 West Exchange Street
Providence, Rhode Island
Section/Feed Type
Latest Information from Network (Home)
Event Date
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Dream the Impossible Native Youth Conference 2025

Dream the Impossible Native Youth Conference was started in 2007 by several Southern California tribes in partnership with organizations such as the California Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Program and is held at a different university each year. This conference is designed to inspire Native American youth to believe that they can achieve anything they want, introduce them to Native professionals in different fields, and help them understand how higher education can transform their lives.

The 2025 conference took place in April 2025 at the California State University, San Bernardino campus.

Record Type
Posting Date
Combined Date
Location
California State University, San Bernardino
SMSU North Conference Center
5500 University Parkway
San Bernardino, CA 92407
Section/Feed Type
Latest Information from Network (Home)
Event Date
-

2024 National Tribal TANF Institute

The National Tribal TANF Institute brought together Tribal TANF staff from across the country for an in-person educational experience in July 2024 in Davis, California. The theme, “Forever Native: Preserving Our Culture for the Next Generation,” emphasized the importance of honoring tribal values, cultures and traditions while also embracing new ideas, practices and innovations to make native communities stronger for future generations. Participants explored programs, opportunities and resources for tribal youth and young adults to help them transition into thriving adulthood.

Record Type
Posting Date
Combined Date
Location
UC Davis Conference Center
550 Alumni Ln
Davis, CA 95616
Section/Feed Type
Latest Information from Network (Home)
Event Date
-

44th National Indian and Native American Employment and Training Conference

The 44th National Indian and Native American Employment and Training (NINAETC) for WIOA Section 166 and Public Law 102-477 will take place in Orlando, Florida from May 13 to 17, 2024. This conference is dedicated to promoting heritage and culture. There is a fee for registration.

Record Type
Posting Date
Combined Date
Location
Rosen Plaza Hotel Orlando
9700 International Drive, Orlando, Florida 32819
Section/Feed Type
Latest Information from Network (Home)
Event Date
-

OFA Regions IX and X 2016 Tribal TANF Meeting

Record Description
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Office of Family Assistance (OFA), Regions IX and X hosted the Tribal Technical Assistance Meeting on July 25‐27, 2016 at the Isleta Resort and Casino in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The meeting brought together Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) stakeholders to discuss innovative strategies and collaborations to promote economic and social well‐being for individuals, families, and tribal communities. During the meeting, tribal representatives engaged in listening sessions, shared best practices, and participated in workshops in order to more successfully serve the program participants in their communities.