The Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Office of Family Assistance announces the availability of funds under the Grants for Coordination of Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and Child Welfare Services to Tribal Families at Risk of Child Abuse or Neglect.

The

credit:

purpose of this grant, as prescribed by the statute (section 403(a)(2) of the Social Security Act, as amended), is "to fund demonstration projects designed to test the effectiveness of tribal governments or tribal consortia in coordinating the provision to tribal families at risk of child abuse and neglect of child welfare services and services under tribal programs funded under this part." This grant must be used for one or more of the following statutorily-prescribed uses:
1.

To improve case management for families eligible for assistance from a Tribal TANF program; 2.

For supportive services and assistance to tribal children in out-of-home placements and the tribal families caring for such children, including families who adopt such children; 3.

For prevention services and assistance to tribal families at risk of child abuse and neglect.

ACF is particularly interested in funding projects leading to systems' changes so that the improvements to the coordination of tribal TANF and child welfare programs are sustained beyond the project period.

For example, grantees may be encouraged to engage in activities such as revising intake and assessment procedures, developing informed consent documents that will allow for staff to share information across program lines, providing cross-training for TANF and child welfare staff, developing joint case management procedures, and developing information technology systems to enhance coordination.

Successful grantees will describe the approach to be followed and the expected outputs and outcomes.

Since it is a demonstration grant, the grantees will share lessons learned with the broader Tribal TANF and child welfare community.