09/02/2014 1 Overview of the Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program Felicia Gaither, PhD D D f T b l TANF US D f H l h d Behavioral Health is Essential to Health Prevention Works | Treatment is Effective | People Recover Director, Division of Tribal TANF, US Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Office of Family Assistance American Indian & Alaska Native Behavioral Health Webinar Series This webinar is provided by the National American Indian & Alaska Native ATTC, a program funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT). For more information on the ATTC Network, visit: attcnetwork.org To find your regional center, visit: attcnetwork.org/findregcenter.asp For more information on the National American Indian & Alaska Native ATTC, visit: attcnetwork.org/americanindian , or call 319-335-5564
Transcript
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Overview of the Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families ProgramFelicia Gaither, PhDD D f T b l TANF US D f H l h d
Behavioral Health is Essential to Health Prevention Works | Treatment is Effective | People Recover
Director, Division of Tribal TANF, US Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Office of Family Assistance
American Indian & Alaska Native Behavioral Health Webinar Series
This webinar is provided by the National American Indian & Alaska Native ATTC, a program funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT).
For more information on the ATTC Network, visit: attcnetwork.orgTo find your regional center, visit: attcnetwork.org/findregcenter.asp
For more information on the National American Indian & Alaska Native ATTC, visit: attcnetwork.org/americanindian, or call 319-335-5564
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Nutrition and Behavioral Healthpresented by: Ray Daw, MA, Navajo
Upcoming webinars from the National American Indian & Alaska Native ATTC
Counseling Families, Partners, & Significant Otherspresented by: Brenda Hill MA
Creative Therapy for Traumatized Children: The Moving Stories Play Therapy Methodpresented by: Susanne Carroll Duffy, PsyD, RPT-S, Passamaquoddy Tribe at Sipayik
presented by: Brenda Hill, MA
Professional and Ethical Responsibilitiespresented by: Antony Stately, PhD, Ojibwe/Oneida; and
Dolores Subia Bigfoot, PhD, Caddo Nation of Oklahoma
For more information about our webinar series, contact Kate Thrams at [email protected] or 319-335-5362
Webinar Follow-Up
CEHs are available upon request for $15 per session.
Continuing Education Hours (CEH)
• This session has been approved for 1.0 CEH’s by:• NAADAC: The National American Indian & Alaska Native ATTC is a NAADAC (The Association for Addiction Professionals)
certified educational provider, and this webinar has been pre-approved for 1.0 CEH.
• To obtain CEHs for this session, submit a CEH Request Form and payment to the National AI & AN ATTC. A request form is available for download in the “Files” pod in the webinar screen. If you choose to download a file, a new tab will be opened in your browser, and you will have to click on the webinar window to return to view the webinar.
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Presentation handouts:• A handout of this slideshow presentation is also available by download.
If you are unable to download the documents from the webinar, please contact Kate Thrams at [email protected] or 319-335-5362
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Webinar Follow-Up
This webinar is provided by the National American Indian & Alaska Native ATTC, a program funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the Center for Substance Abuse
Evaluation: SAMHSA’s GPRA
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT).
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and your participation in this survey is voluntary. Through the use of a coding system, your responses will be kept confidential and it will not be possible to link your responses to you.
We appreciate your response and look forward to hearing from you.
Adobe Connect Overview
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Adobe Connect Overview
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Please note:
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Disclaimer
Th N ti l A i I di & Al k N ti Addi ti T h l T f
Please note:
• The National American Indian & Alaska Native Addiction Technology Transfer Center is supported by a grant from SAMHSA
• The content of this publication does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of SAMHSA or the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
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Today’s Speaker
Felicia Gaither, PhD, is the Director for the Division of Tribal TANF with the U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families,
Office of Family Assistance (OFA). Dr. Gaither is responsible for the oversight and
administration of the Tribal TANF Program, Native Employment Works Program and the
Tribal TANF Child Welfare discretionary grant, providing technical assistance and
guidance to Regional Offices, states, and Tribes administering the TANF program
throughout the Nation. Previously Dr. Gaither served as the Region VIII-Denver Program
Manager in OFA where she was responsible for providing technical assistance and
guidance to state and tribal administrators in Colorado, Montana, Utah, Wyoming, South
Dakota and North Dakota Dr Gaither has years of experience working in humanDakota and North Dakota. Dr. Gaither has years of experience working in human
services. She has served in many capacities working for a variety of organizations at the
Local, State and Federal levels. Dr. Gaither received her Bachelor of Arts in Political
Science from the University of Nebraska, earned a Master's degree in Public
Administration from Wichita State University and has earned a PhD in Human Services
from Capella University.
Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Overview
• Tribal TANF BackgroundP f TANF• Purposes of TANF• Use of TANF Funds• Starting a TANF Program• Current Sources of Guidance• Regional Office Contacts• Regional Office Contacts
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Tribal TANF Background
• The “Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996” (PRWORA)Reconciliation Act of 1996 (PRWORA)• Gave Federally-recognized Tribes the authority to
operate their own TANF programs• As of October 1, 2014, there will be 69Tribal TANF
(1)Provide assistance to needy families so that children may be cared for in their own homes or in the homes of relatives;cared for in their own homes or in the homes of relatives;
(2)End the dependence of needy parents on government benefits by promoting job preparation, work, and marriage;
(3)Prevent and reduce the incidence of out-of-wedlock pregnancies; and
(4)Encourage the formation and maintenance of two-parent familiesfamilies.
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Purposes of TANF
TANF
(1) Provide assistance to needy families so that children may be cared for in their own homes or in the homes
of relatives
Needy F ili
(2) End the dependence of needy
parents on government benefits by promoting job preparation, work,
and marriage
(3) Prevent and reduce the incidence of out-
of-wedlock pregnancies
Other Eligible
(4) Encourage the formation and
maintenance of two-parent families
4 Purposes
2 Populations
Families
Assistance Support Services
Eligible Families
2 Services
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Unique Characteristics and Benefits of Tribal TANF
Provides the opportunity to design services that can best serve each Tribe’s unique community
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Provides the opportunity to provide support services to families who may benefit from a particular service, but who do not meet the financial eligibility criteria (must meet an alternate criteria, as established in a Tribe’s TANF Program Plan and Program Operating Policies and Procedures)
Facilitates the provision of diversion and support services that assist families who are at risk of losing their ability to be self-sufficient
Allows for the development and implementation of culturally relevant approaches for program activities, support services, and case management
Facilitates services and activities that strengthen family and community cohesion
• Two Populations Served by TANF
Purposes of TANF
(1) N d F ili(1) Needy Families• Meet the income and resource limits
established by the Tribe in the TANF Plan
(2) Other Eligible Families• Meet the other objective criteria (non-
financial) established by the Tribe in the TANF Plan
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Assistance
What Services are Funded?Two Types of Services:
Assistance
• Includes cash, payments, vouchers, and other forms of benefits designed to meet a family's ongoing basic needs ( i.e., for food, clothing, shelter, utilities); also child care and transportation to unemployed families [Defined at 45 CFR 286.10]
• Needy families only• Time limits and work requirements
Support Services• Needy families and other eligible families
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Use of TANF Funds
Work Supports Removal of Barriers to Employment
Examples of Support Services:Wo Suppo ts• Provide job search and job placement
services• Subsidize wages• Transitional services
Pregnancy Prevention and Family Maintenance• Parenting skills training
Removal of Barriers to Employment• Case management• Transportation• Child care
Family and Community Economic Development• Match contributions for Individual
Development AccountsParenting skills training• Initiatives to promote responsible
fatherhood• Sex education programs• After-school programs
Development Accounts• Establishing job training programs• Diversion services
Things to remember:• All services must meet a statutory purpose of TANF.All services must meet a statutory purpose of TANF.• All services must benefit TANF families that meet the eligibility
criteria established in the Tribe’s TANF Plan. • All services must be included in the Tribe’s TANF Plan.• TANF funds may not be used to contribute to or subsidize non-TANF
programs.• When in doubt, ACF prior-approval and guidance is available.
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Use of TANF Funds• TANF funds may not be used for pre-award (start-up) costs.• TANF funds may not be used in violation of Part IV-A of the Social
S i ASecurity Act.• TANF funds may not be used for the construction or purchase of
facilities, buildings or land.• Tribes do not have a federal match requirement.• States are not required to provide MOE funds to Tribes.• The amount of MOE if any provided by the State to the Tribe is • The amount of MOE, if any, provided by the State to the Tribe is
subject to a separate agreement between the State and Tribe.
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Starting a TANF Program
Tribes have flexibility in designing their programs, including:• Defining service area and population • Defining “Indian” and “Indian family” for the purposes of this program• Defining “Indian” and “Indian family” for the purposes of this program• Establishing eligibility criteria, including cooperation with child support• Establishing cash assistance amount• Establishing time limits• Defining acceptable work activities*• Negotiating work participation rates and required work hours• Establishing penalties against individuals
*Broadening the Scope of Work Activities: Using Cultural Activities in Tribal Communities
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Starting a TANF Program
Important considerations:
• Time Limits: Eligibility for TANF assistance (as defined at 45 CFR 286.10) is time limited.▫ Any exceptions to time limits must be included in the Tribe’s TANF plan.▫ Months are not counted for adults living in Indian Country if unemployment rate
is 50% or more.• Work Participation: Negotiation of the Tribal work participation rate is
based on economic conditions and resources available.Tribes are held accountable for moving families from welfare to self sufficiency ▫ Tribes are held accountable for moving families from welfare to self-sufficiency through work.
▫ Tribe are subject to fiscal penalties if they fail to met the minimum work participation rate.
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Starting a TANF Program
• Tribe submits letter of intent to ACF
• State is contacted for relevant data• Data is based on FY1994 expenditures for Native American families
• Tribe and State must agree on data
• Tribal Family Assistance Grant (TFAG) is determined
• Tribe submits an administrative cost cap proposal• Maximum limits first 3 years: 35%, 30%, 25% respectively
T ib b it TANF l f i d l• Tribe submits a TANF plan for review and approval• Program is funded
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Starting a TANF Program
Challenges• Developing infrastructure and systemsDeveloping infrastructure and systems• No pre-award (start-up) funds• Dealing with large TANF caseloads• Hiring and retaining qualified staff• Coordinating with Tribal, State and Federal programs• Overcoming reporting barriers
Operating TANF: Opportunities and Challenges for Tribes and Tribal Consortia
http://aspe.hhs.gov/hsp/TANF-tribes03/index.htm
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Challenges and Unique Aspects
Compliance and Practical ChallengesEnsuring all services meet a statutory purpose of TANF
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• Ensuring all services meet a statutory purpose of TANF.• Ensuring service provision to families who meet the eligibility criteria
established in the Tribe’s TANF Plan. • Ensuring all services are included in the Tribe’s TANF Plan.• Ensuring TANF funds are not used to contribute to or subsidize non-TANF
programs.• Ensuring the goals and objectives of the program are achieved through • Ensuring the goals and objectives of the program are achieved through
consistent, comprehensive case-management and enforcement of program requirements and policy
Challenges and Unique Aspects
Additional Challenges• Inconsistent understanding regarding the goals objectives and regulatory requirements
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• Inconsistent understanding regarding the goals, objectives, and regulatory requirements and restrictions of the program
• Professional boundaries• Limited resources and geographic isolation• Alignment of regulatory requirements and restrictions with cultural values• Absence of historical frame of reference/ context for operating a program• Navigating multiple bureaucracies
U d t di d t l l i ith lti l l t d t t t id li • Understanding and accurately complying with multiple regulatory and statutory guidelines and restrictions
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Challenges and Unique AspectsAdditional Unique Aspects• Broad range of diversity in program design service provision resources and capacity
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• Broad range of diversity in program design, service provision, resources, and capacity, nationwide
• Strong peer to peer relationships• Unique challenges and benefits for programs located in remote rural areas• Opportunities for innovative program practice, approaches, and partnerships• Cultural, community, and historical assets that contribute to the strength of the program
and to positive outcomes
Starting a TANF Program
Tribal CouncilKey Players
TANF Tribal Community
State/County
Key Players
OFA
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Current Sources of Guidance
• Statute (Law)▫ Title IV of the Social Security ActR l i• Regulations• 45 CFR Part 286: The basic rules and guidelines governing all general aspects of Tribal
TANF
• 2 CFR Part 225: The rules and guidelines governing allowable costs and fiscal management
• Policies• Program Instruction (PI): Guidance and/or clarification of regulation and policy
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Program Instruction (PI): Guidance and/or clarification of regulation and policy
• Division of Tribal TANF Management, OFA Website: www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofa/dts/
Regional Office ContactsRegion States & Territories Manager Phone Number
I CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, VT Carol Monteiro (617) 565-2462
II NJ NY PR VI Frank Ceruto (212) 264 2890 ext 133II NJ, NY, PR, VI Frank Ceruto (212) 264-2890, ext. 133
III DC, DE, MD, PA, VA, WV Eileen Friedman (215) 861-4058
