The Office of Family Assistance, Division of Tribal TANF has posted National Tribal TANF characteristics data for fiscal years 2016 to 2020 in a set of annual reports. Data in these reports cover: number of individuals participating in Tribal TANF work activities by activity; adults by work participation status; adults by relationship to head of household; types of families receiving assistance (e.g., one-parent, two-parent, child-only); families by the number of children in the family; and average age of recipient children. Data tables for the reports are available for download.

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has proposed changes to the regulations governing federal financial assistance, including grants and cooperative agreements that support programs administered by states, tribes, local governments, and nonprofit organizations. If finalized, the proposed rule could affect how federal funding is awarded, managed, monitored, and reviewed across a wide range of human services and workforce programs.

The National Congress of American Indians will host a webinar on July 1, 2026 at 3:00 P.M. ET to provide an overview of the proposed changes and their potential implications for organizations that receive or administer federal funds. For Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) programs, understanding these proposed revisions is important for anticipating how future changes to federal grant requirements could affect program operations, compliance responsibilities, partnerships, and funding administration. The session will offer an opportunity to learn about the rulemaking process, key provisions under consideration, and ways stakeholders can stay informed as the proposal moves forward.

Data can help Tribal programs better understand community needs, measure outcomes, and make informed decisions that strengthen services for families. The Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis will host the virtual 2026 Center for Indian Country Development Data Summit on August 18–19, 2026, bringing together Tribal leaders, practitioners, researchers, and policymakers to explore how data can support Tribal sovereignty and community development. For Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) programs, the virtual event offers valuable insights into data-informed planning, program evaluation, and decision-making that can improve service delivery and outcomes. Tribal TANF practitioners can use the information and peer connections gained through the summit to identify strategies that support stronger programs and better serve Tribal families and communities. This summit will be open to the public and is free.

This National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center recording on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Relatives (MMIWR), domestic violence, and Native maternal health explores the intersection of safety, health, and family well-being in Tribal communities. For Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) practitioners working with Native families, the recording provides important context on how domestic violence and systemic barriers can affect family stability and access to services. It also highlights the importance of responsive approaches that recognize community strengths and lived experiences. TANF practitioners can use this resource to and begin exploring ways to strengthen partnerships and improve supportive services for Native families and Tribal communities.

This resource highlights a training opportunity designed to support Native women, Tribal communities, and Tribal leaders in addressing violence, safety, and broader community well-being, including the ongoing crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous People. For Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) programs serving Tribal communities, it emphasizes approaches grounded in cultural responsiveness, trauma-informed practice, and community leadership.

It also provides an opportunity for Tribal TANF practitioners to strengthen partnerships with organizations and better respond to the needs of Native families impacted by violence. In doing so, programs can improve how services are delivered in ways that build trust, reflect community priorities, and support safety. The resource further highlights leadership development and community engagement strategies that can help reinforce protective networks for families facing crisis or instability.

This Grandfamilies & Kinship Support Network guide helps ground your work in the importance of keeping children connected to family, culture, and community, an approach that closely aligns with the goals of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). The guide explains how policies like the Indian Child Welfare Act support relative caregiving and why that matters for long-term stability. For Tribal TANF programs or TANF programs working with Tribal families, this guide also provides understanding on how to better support kinship caregivers who may not fit neatly into traditional program models. It offers context you can use to design more responsive services, strengthen family-centered approaches, and ensure that benefits and supports reflect the realities of the families you serve.

A resource from the Grandfamilies & Kinship Support Network highlights how agencies are prioritizing placement with relatives or trusted caregivers when children cannot remain with their parents. These approaches help maintain family connections, reduce disruptions, and support more stable caregiving arrangements.

TANF programs can support this work by reinforcing care in the home or with relatives, including efforts that help stabilize caregiving arrangements, reduce placement changes, and support caregivers in meeting the day-to-day needs of children. This may also include coordinating with partner systems and aligning services to strengthen family-based care and promote continuity.

This National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) toolkit offers strategies for designing workforce programs that strengthen career pathways, sector partnerships, and participant-centered engagement. It shares the main findings of NCAI’s ongoing research examining the innovative approaches to workforce development that Tribal Nations and other Native-led workforce development entities are forging, how they are achieving success, and why. TANF programs can use it to enhance training access, skill building, and long-term economic stability for families.

This companion guide to Your Money, Your Goals offers financial tools and approaches tailored for Native communities. Created by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, it highlights strengths, values, and financial practices rooted in Indigenous cultures while offering practical worksheets on budgeting, planning, savings, and goal setting. For Tribal TANF or TANF programs working with Native participants and families, this guide can help make financial education more relevant used one on one in case management or shared in group workshops.