On May 5, 2014, the Social Security Administration presented a webinar, "An Overview of Social Security Programs and Services Important to Tribal Communities" sponsored by the Administration for Children and Families, Office of Family Assistance (OFA), Division of Tribal TANF Management, in partnership with the Administration for Native Americans. This webinar explained programs and services of particular interest to tribal community members throughout Indian Country. During this webinar, speakers Charles Jenkins and Alfredo Padilla Jr. expanded on important programs and services such Retirement, Survivors, Disability, Supplemental Security Income, grandchildren benefits, services offered to reservations in remote areas of the United States, upcoming field office changes, and more about the "my Social Security" account.

The “Tribal TANF Data – The Basics” online learning module is intended for new Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) staff or any individual interested in learning more about Tribal TANF data reporting. The module uses step-by-step instructions and screenshots to describe the background of Tribal TANF data collection and submission, the process of installing data reporting software, steps for submitting quarterly TANF data reports, and an overview of how tribes calculate work participation rates (WPR).

The “Tribal TANF – The Basics and Beyond” online learning module is intended for Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) directors, staff and/or leadership who would benefit from a high-level orientational look into the TANF program. The interactive module provides a basic overview of the Tribal TANF program covering topics such as the purposes of TANF, proper uses of TANF funds, TANF work requirements and time limits, as well as strategies for TANF program management and achieving program goals and objectives. 

On April 22, 2014, the Administration for Children and Families' Office of Family Assistance (OFA), Division of Tribal TANF Management and the Office of Child Support Enforcement (OCSE) hosted a webinar, "Tribal Child Support and Tribal TANF: Beyond the Basics." This webinar was a continuation of OFA and OCSE's introductory webinar on the goals and objectives of the Tribal TANF and Tribal Child Support programs hosted in July 2013. The "Tribal Child Support and Tribal TANF: Beyond the Basics" webinar focused on topics such as: organizational structure and location; communication and coordination; policies and procedures; finances and shared resources; systems; outcomes; and challenges. Additionally, this webinar provided a valuable chance for Tribal staff to learn more about partnership opportunities between Tribal TANF and Tribal Child Support programs and to hear from current Tribal TANF and Tribal Child Support program administrators from the Central Council of Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska.

This report describes the first year of activities of the 14 tribes and tribal organizations who in 2011 received demonstration grants from the Office of Family Assistance (OFA) for Coordination of Tribal TANF and Child Welfare Services to Tribal Families at Risk of Child Abuse or Neglect.  The overarching goal of the Study of Coordination of Tribal TANF and Child Welfare Services is to document the way in which the tribal grantees are creating and adapting culturally relevant and appropriate approaches, systems, and programs to increase coordination and enhance service delivery to address child abuse and neglect.

Low-income families such as those who qualify for TANF are generally at greater risk for child maltreatment than other families. Since many families are involved with both the welfare (TANF) and child welfare (CW) systems, TANF and CW agencies are ideal partners to coordinate efforts to provide services that can address family risk factors, as TANF is intended not only to encourage parents to improve their socio-economic status, but also to provide stable homes. The funded projects were expected to focus on one or more of the following services: (1) improved case management for families eligible for assistance from a Tribal TANF program; (2) supportive services and assistance to tribal children in out-of-home placements and the tribal families caring for such children, including adoptive families; and (3) prevention services and assistance to tribal families at risk of child abuse and neglect. (author abstract)

This Interim Report provides an overview of the tribal HPOG grantees’ progress over the first two years of the program with initial evaluation findings organized around program structure, program processes, and education and employment outcomes. The report also summarizes the evaluation questions and methodology. The report was written by the Tribal HPOG evaluation team, comprised of NORC at the University of Chicago, Red Star Innovations and the National Indian Health Board. (author abstract)

This brief provides an overview of the strategies that Tribal HPOG grantees have used to implement the HPOG program, challenges encountered during implementation, lessons learned, and ongoing program evolution and adaptation to address unique tribal cultural and programmatic needs. The brief draws upon qualitative data collected from the first year of evaluation activities with the Tribal HPOG programs. It is part of a series of briefs 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). (author abstract)