Tribal TANF Mission Statement: 
Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families will make available the toolsnecessary 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 (JOB
S), 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.
The Southern California Tribal Chairmen's Association (SCTCA) is a multi-service, non-profit corporation established in 1972 for a 
consortium of 19 federally-recognized Indian tribes in Southern California. The primary mission of SCTCA is to serve the health, welfare, safety, education, cultural, economic and employment needs of its tribal members and enrolled Indians in the San Diego County urban areas. A board of directors comprised of tribal chairpersons from each of its member Tribes governs SCTCA.
