Tribal TANF – SCTCA

Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families will make available the tools necessary to promote the empowering of Indian families to become self-sufficient so they can support and nurture themselves, their children, and community.

In 1996 Congress amended the Social Security Act, by replacing Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC), the Job Opportunity and Basic Skills Program (JOBS), and Emergency Assistance (EA) with block grants to States for the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. Included in the authorization for this new block grant system were provisions for block grants to eligible Tribes. Federally-recognized Indian Tribes and certain Alaska Native organizations are now provided the opportunity to administer their own TANF programs in a manner similar to the States.

In 1998, the Southern California Tribal Chairmen's Association began providing TANF benefits to the 18 federally-recognized tribes in San Diego County and the Santa Ynez Tribe in Santa Barbara County. In 2006, SCTCA began servicing the entire San Diego County which allowed Tribal TANF to also offer services to Native Americans residing off of the reservations. We are excited to have the opportunity to support the needs of all Native people living in the county.

Our program has been created by Native Americans and for Native Americans with the purpose of addressing the cultural, social and economic needs of families and those who are guardians of Native American children.

In order to be eligible for the Tribal TANF program, you must meet the following criteria:

Our services for Families include:

Our services for Guardians & Caretakers include:

FAQ - Families

FAQ - Guardians and Caretakers

Two Directions, Inc. was established in 1998 to fill a niche and need for training Native Americans residing in North County San Diego. Incorporated in the State of California as a special-purpose, minority women’s corporation, Two Directions operates under a contract with the Southern California Tribal Chairmen’s Assn., Inc. (SCTCA) to provide training to Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) participants. It is the mission of Two Directions, Inc. to provide classes to Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) participants in North San Diego County Indian Country which will increase their employability and life skills to prepare them for self-sufficiency and employment. Traditions nurture us. New skills empower us. Therein lies the key to improving the quality of life for individuals and for our community.

Southern California American Indian Resource Center, Inc. (SCAIR) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) community-based tribal organization, established in 1997 under the authority of P.L. 93-638, the Indian Self Determination and Education Act of 1976. SCAIR’s mission is to provide career, educational, cultural, mental health and community services to urban and tribal Native Americans and their families, throughout San Diego County. SCAIR works to assist Participants in reaching personal and professional goals, by overcoming individual barriers and challenges.

BG Associates, Inc. is a Native American-owned and controlled consulting firm dedicated to the advancement of Native American people. Through training and education, we ally with our clients in building skills and improving access to academic and professional opportunities. In order to better partner with the communities we serve, BG Associates, Inc. specializes in providing training and technical assistance for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) programs; and our clients have the assurance that BG Associates, Inc. is fully knowledgeable of Tribal TANF requirements and regulations. In fact, BG Associates, Inc. was involved in the original planning and designing of the first Native American “cooperative” TANF program ever developed – which includes eleven different tribes in Southern California!

Program Flyers and Notices

TANF Child Care Assistance

TANF Allowances & Incentives TK-12th Grade

About Tribal TANF

Participant Forms

MER Forms

Verification Forms

Tribal TANF Offices

ORANGE COUNTY

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY

SAN DIEGO COUNTY

Training Contractors

Two Directions, Inc.

SCAIR

BG Associates, Inc.