HHS News Release

The HHS Administration for Children and Families (ACF) today announced approval of four Tribal Family Assistance plans under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. The plans will serve the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwes of Minnesota, the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of Montana, the Nez Perce Tribe of Idaho, and the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community of Arizona.

The Nez Perce, Mille Lac Band of Ojibwe, and Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes plans are the first Tribal plans approved in their respective states.

"We are pleased that these tribes are exercising the opportunity to create culturally appropriate welfare programs for their unique communities," said Olivia A. Golden, HHS assistant secretary for children and families. "These are comprehensive, thoughtfully designed plans, and we are happy to approve them."

The Mille Lac Band will operate an Independent Life Skills Center that will serve as a one-stop service center for TANF recipients. The Center will include a 30-student classroom, a 20-station computer lab, private interview rooms, and a safe play area for children. The State of Minnesota will provide matching funds. About 130 families are expected to be served each month.

The Salish and Kootenai Tribes will operate their TANF program in a manner similar to Montana's TANF program, "Families Achieving Independence in Montana". They will use a case management approach that will allow recipients to access as many community resources as possible. Approximately 190 families are expected to be served each month.

The Nez Perce Social Service Department will operate the Tribe's TANF program and provide one-stop assessment and referral services. Recipients who gain employment will receive help in finding and using the community resources needed to achieve long-term self-sufficiency. Approximately 135 families will be served each month.

The Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community is the third tribe in Arizona to have an approved TANF program and the first in the state to operate the TANF program themselves. The Community will provide job preparation and support services to help families leave TANF, and provide funds and services to families at risk of becoming dependent on TANF. About 275 families will be served each month.

All programs took effect January 1, 1999, except for the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community's program, which takes effect April 1, 1999. All will adhere to the federal 5-year time limit for welfare benefits.

Under the new welfare reform law of 1996 signed by President Clinton, tribes have the opportunity to run their own welfare programs and receive direct federal funding. HHS has now approved 19 Tribal TANF plans. Sixty-three Indian Tribes and Alaska Native Villages now operate their own Tribal TANF programs, serving approximately 2,000 Indian families.

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