Workforce Development Toolkit

Record Description

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.

Record Type
Combined Date
2026-01-01T00:00:00
Source
OFA Initiatives
Region
City/County
Publication Date
2026-01-01
Section/Feed Type
Latest Information from Network (Home)

Fostering Partnerships Between Child Welfare and Aging Systems to Improve Recognition of Support for Kin Caregivers

Record Description

This U.S. Aging guide offers a practical framework for strengthening collaboration between child welfare and aging networks to better identify and support kinship caregivers, many of whom are older adults stepping in to care for children when parents are unable. The resource outlines action steps to improve cross-system coordination, access to benefits and services, and recognition of the vital role kin caregivers play in family stability. This can help TANF agencies deepen connections with community partners serving older caregivers and reduce barriers to economic support and resource navigation.

Record Type
Combined Date
2025-08-01T00:00:00
Source
OFA Initiatives
Region
City/County
Publication Date
2025-08-01
Section/Feed Type
Latest Information from Network (Home)

Family First Prevention Services and Programs – Reimbursement for Culturally Adapted Services and Programs for Native Children and Families

Record Description

This resource from the Grandfamilies & Kinship Support Network explains how Family First Prevention Services Act reimbursement can be used for services that help Native children and families before deeper child welfare involvement occurs. It offers practical guidance on eligible programs and supports that honor traditions and community strengths. For TANF programs serving Native families, this can inform cross-system coordination and funding alignment — helping connect participants to culturally grounded supports that reinforce family wellbeing alongside TANF’s economic goals.

Record Type
Combined Date
2026-02-24T00:00:00
Source
OFA Initiatives
Region
City/County
Publication Date
2026-02-24
Section/Feed Type
Latest Information from Network (Home)

Hire Tribal Family Coaches

Record Description

This Child Welfare Playbook strategy highlights the value of tribal family coaches – community-based supports who work with families to navigate systems, build strengths, and connect to resources in culturally grounded ways. For TANF programs serving Native communities, this strategy provides a practical idea for how partnerships and staffing models can be designed to improve engagement, trust, and access to supports that promote both economic stability and family strengthening. Integrating or aligning with family coach roles can enhance service responsiveness and outcomes.

Record Type
Combined Date
2026-02-02T00:00:00
Source
Region
City/County
Publication Date
2026-02-02
Section/Feed Type
Latest Information from Network (Home)

Using Your Tribal Data to Chart Your Future

Record Description

Built on Indigenous research principles of tribal data sovereignty and reciprocity, the Survey of Native Nations leverages the Federal Reserve System’s secure data infrastructure to protect and steward tribal data. Tribes that have completed the survey are enhancing their ability to analyze their financial data and communicate their economic contributions in data-informed ways. The Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis will host a virtual event on March 3, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. CT to explore how Tribal leaders and program staff can use data to identify community priorities, guide investments, and measure progress toward economic mobility and family well-being goals.

Record Type
Combined Date
2026-03-03T14:00:00
Source
Region
City/County
Publication Date
2026-03-03
Section/Feed Type
Latest Information from Network (Home)

Family Routes Initiative

Record Description

The Office of Family Assistance (OFA) is excited to offer the opportunity to receive technical assistance on strengthening employment and relational outcomes for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) participants by integrating new and effective approaches for meeting the economic and social needs of families. State and Tribal TANF programs and their partner organizations that support TANF purposes are welcome to express interest in receiving technical assistance to strengthen employment and relational outcomes of customers.

The Family Routes Initiative supports the integration of evidence-based Healthy Marriage and Responsible Fatherhood (HMRF) practices, approaches that help build and sustain healthy marriages, strengthen positive father-child interactions, and build skills employers seek (e.g., soft skills, goal setting, self-regulation, accountability, and personal responsibility).

What Does the Family Routes Initiative Offer?

Selected participants may receive:

  • Tailored assistance aligned to program goals and context
  • Support adapting evidence-based HMRF practices for local needs
  • Practical tools and resources to strengthen family outcomes

To express interest, please contact: familyroutes@deloitte.com.

Record Type
Combined Date
2026-02-11T12:00:00
Source
OFA Initiatives
Region
City/County
Publication Date
2026-02-11
Section/Feed Type
Latest Information from Network (Home)

Focus on Native Communities Companion Guide

Record Description

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.

Record Type
Combined Date
2025-12-15T00:00:00
Source
Region
City/County
Publication Date
2025-12-15
Section/Feed Type
Latest Information from Network (Home)

Strategies for TANF Programs to Support Intentional and Healthy Family Planning

Record Description

This tipsheet provides examples of strategies that Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) programs can use to empower parents to make informed decisions about their family planning through financial capability services. An unintended pregnancy may make it harder for TANF participants to improve their economic well-being and independence. Financial capability services such as financial planning classes and integrating financial planning into relationship education for families can support TANF participants in making stronger financial choices for their families, including whether to have another child.

Record Type
Combined Date
2026-01-29T00:00:00
Source
Region
City/County
Publication Date
2026-01-29
Section/Feed Type
PeerTA Resources (OFA Initiatives)
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Attachment Size
FamilyFinancialPlanTipsheet.pdf 771.79 KB

Strengthening Connections: Leveraging Existing Networks for Integrated Prevention Services

Record Description

The Office of Family Assistance partnered with the Children’s Bureau to develop the Families Are Stronger Together Learning Community (FAST-LC), which focused on preventing family involvement in the child welfare system through developing, implementing, and enhancing Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)–Child Welfare (CW) partnerships and innovations. FAST-LC was a one-year initiative that involved 10 Tribal and state TANF and CW agencies. 

This tip sheet accompanies a video on Strengthening Connections: Leveraging Existing Networks for Integrated Prevention Services, which highlights lessons from the FAST-LC. These resources feature representatives from the Chippewa Cree Indians of the Rocky Boy’s Reservation, the Pascua Yaqui Tribe, and the California Tribal TANF Partnership, who discuss how they cultivated partnerships with agencies to plan and implement integrated prevention services.

Record Type
Combined Date
2026-01-22T00:00:00
Source
OFA Initiatives
Region
City/County
Publication Date
2026-01-22
Section/Feed Type
PeerTA Resources (OFA Initiatives)
Upload Files
Attachment Size
TANFStrengtheningTipsheet-508.pdf 782.55 KB

Strengthening Connections Video: Leveraging Existing Networks for Integrated Prevention Services

Record Description

The Office of Family Assistance partnered with the Children’s Bureau to develop the Families Are Stronger Together Learning Community (FAST-LC), which focused on preventing family involvement in the child welfare system through developing, implementing, and enhancing Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)–Child Welfare (CW) partnerships and innovations. FAST-LC was a one-year initiative that involved 10 Tribal and state TANF and CW agencies. 

This video accompanies a reflection guide and tip sheet, Strengthening Connections: Leveraging Existing Networks for Integrated Prevention Services, which highlights lessons from the FAST-LC. The video features representatives from the Chippewa Cree Indians of the Rocky Boy’s Reservation, the Pascua Yaqui Tribe, and the California Tribal TANF Partnership, who discuss how they cultivated partnerships with agencies to plan and implement integrated prevention services.

Record Type
Combined Date
2026-01-22T00:00:00
Source
OFA Initiatives
Region
City/County
Publication Date
2026-01-22
Section/Feed Type
PeerTA Resources (OFA Initiatives)