Temporary Assistance for Needy Families - TANF

Torres Martinez Tribal TANF, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, is a social services organization that provides assistance to Native American families with children. We offer a 5 year program with a foundation in educational incentives and work opportunities, supported by temporary financial assistance, leading to self sufficiency. Our doors first opened in 2001 with 1 small office in Thermal, CA and have since grown to 6 regional offices spanning L.A. and Riverside counties. Special focus is put on traditional values and cultural awareness as we serve the Native community with a determination to support, educate and guide our clients along the path to self sufficiency.
GENERAL CASH ASSISTANCE
Information About General Cash Assistance
General Assistance is a monthly financial assistance to meet essential needs of those eligible Native Americans without income. When assistance and services are not available or are not being provided by other sources, the General Cash Assistance Program gives prompt attention and prevents unnecessary hardship for the applicant.
Who can apply for General Cash Assistance?
It is the intent if the TMTT to provide services to all eligible and needy Indian families and their children who have at least one member of their household (child or adult) who is a member or descendent of a member of a Federally Recognized Indian Tribe or identified on the California Judgment Rolls and who reside anywhere within the boundaries of Riverside County and Los Angeles County, excluding:
a. Those persons who are enrolled members or descendents of the Morongo and Soboba Tribe who reside outside Reservation lands served by the TMDCI Tribal TANF Program.
b. The City or Riverside.
Welcome to the TMTT Education Department
The mission of the TMDCI Tribal TANF Education Department is to; provide encouragement, higher learning and vocational program information and educational advocacy in an effort to strengthen academic performance and to empower Native American Students to identify and accomplish their educational goals.
The Education Guidance Councilors Can:
• Involve parents in ways which help them understand the educational, career, personal and social development of their children.
• Assist students develop a positive self-image through effort to improve self-understanding, self-direction and skills in problem solving and decision making.
• Provide registration information and assistance for the adult student regarding GED, vocational programs, college planning for Associate and Bachelor degrees and educational advocacy.
• Financial Aid and scholarship information
•Available Workshops:
“College, Making It Happen”
“Keeping Students Academically Motivated”
Resources to help prepare for college (PSAT/SAT) entrance exams.
The Education Department Coordinates:
• “The Best Me I Can Be” Summer Enrichment Program in collaboration with the Coachella Valley School District
• S.A.F.E. Network’s Personal Protection Empowerment Program for ages 5-19
Enacted November 8th, 1978
…to protect the best interest of Indian children…
What is ICWA ?
Who is an Indian Child ?
Why is the law only for Indian children ?
Why was the law passed ?
Does the law apply to Indian people not living on an Indian Reservation?
How does the law work ?
How can you protect your children ?
•Review of Payment/Request for Compliance with Program Policies and Grant and Regulations
•Review of Authorized Exemptions
•Review Data Entries into TAS Program for Accurate Data Reporting
•Audits of Records/Files
•TAS (Tribal Assistance System) Training
•Staff Trainings •Site Visits to both Riverside & Los Angeles Counties
•Assisting Staff with Questions & AnswersData Collection and Reporting
Based on the Approved TANF Policy & Procedures all Requests are reviewed to verify documentation that demonstrates it to be Justifiable, Reasonable & Accurate. All Client related services & requests need to show the Participant’s compliance with Program Requirements and Guidelines.
Such as:
•Work Participation Hours
•Eligibility/Continued Eligibility for Services
•Approved Activities based on Client Plan and PRP (Personal Responsibility Plan)
•Costs Not to Exceed Approved Guidelines
*All Emergencies / Urgent Requests are given Priority
*TANF is Payer of Last Resort.
In cases where a request for payment/service is submitted without enough verification to show eligibility, it will be returned (rejected) until documentation is provided to justify payment and authorize services. The request may be returned by the Compliance Department, Fiscal Department and/or Authorized Check Signers through their review. *If rejected the payment process may be delayed. The goal of the Department is to insure that all payments are justifiable and able to demonstrate compliance during an audit of the program.
Thermal
66725 Martinez Rd. Thermal, Ca 92274
P.O. Box 969 Thermal, Ca 92274
Toll Free: (866) 810-1000
Main: (760) 397-3925
San Jacinto
641 N. State Street Suite 2
San Jacinto, CA 92583
Toll Free: (888) 312-6014
Main: (951) 765-9466
Murrieta
38670 Sky Canyon Drive, Ste. 100
Murrieta, Ca 92563
Main: (951) 292-5100
Los Angeles County Locations
Monterey Park
900 Corporate Center Drive, Suite 100
Monterey Park, CA 91754
Toll Free: (800) 665-7292
Main: (323) 647-6000
Long Beach
4500 E. Pacific Coast Highway Suite #500
Long Beach, CA 90814
Toll Free: (800) 665-7649
Main: (310) 878-1600
Palmdale
460 West Palmdale Blvd
Palmdale, Ca 93551
Toll Free: (800) 665-6781
Main: (661) 466-1100