This practice brief is part of a series being developed by the Tribal HPOG evaluation team, comprised of NORC at the University of Chicago, Red Star Innovations and the National Indian Health Board (NIHB). The briefs will be used to disseminate important lessons learned and findings from the Evaluation of the Tribal Health Profession Opportunity Grants (HPOG) program, which is sponsored by the Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation (OPRE) within the Administration for Children and Families (ACF). The HPOG program was established by the Affordable Care Act (ACA) to support 32 demonstration projects, including 5 Tribal Organizations and Colleges, to train Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) recipients and other low-income individuals as healthcare professionals. The Tribal HPOG program aims to meet local healthcare demands by increasing the number of well-trained health professionals in tribal communities. The program uses a career pathways approach where students advance through related trainings that build on each other to deepen students’ healthcare knowledge and skills. This practice brief presents an overview of post-secondary education in tribal communities, including background about Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs); describes the economic status and employment rates of American Indians/Alaska Natives; provides data on American Indian/Alaska Native representation in healthcare professions, and discusses the benefits of greater diversity in the healthcare workforce; describes tribal educational opportunities and pipeline programs; and illustrates how the Tribal HPOG program is helping to bridge gaps by providing opportunities for native education, training, and employment. (author abstract) 

Gwen Porter, Tribal Council Secretary, Omaha Tribe of Nebraska (Omaha) submitted a technical assistance (TA) request to the OFA Peer Technical Assistance (OFA PeerTA) Network for assistance in supporting their new Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. Because it is a new program and the majority of Tribal TANF staff has limited experience delivering this type of support, Omaha was specifically interested in developing their policies/procedures manual and receiving onsite training regarding case management and assessment practices. Omaha’s Tribal TANF program employs three caseworkers to serve a maximum of 224 TANF participants. OFA PeerTA conducted a Tribal TANF Case Management and Assessment Training in November 2014. The participants represented Tribal TANF (intake and case management staff), Child Welfare, Tribal Justice, Substance Abuse Prevention, Tribal Council, Tribal Health, and Domestic Violence Prevention departments.

 During the case management post-TA check-in call, Tribal leaders requested a strategic planning session to improve communication and coordination between these programs. The strategic planning session involving Tribal Council members and various program directors was designed to help the Tribe better identify the "big picture" on how low-income tribal members interact with public assistance programs, receive services, find and maintain employment, and become self-sufficient. The two-day strategic planning session was held in Macy, Nebraska from May 12-13, 2015.