Morongo Tribal TANF Program

Our Mission

To support and encourage Native American self-reliance by promoting cultural preservation, healthy families, education and career development

Four Purposes of TANF

The Morongo Tribal TANF Program (MTTP) is designed to provide opportunities for eligible needy native families to support in the development of native communities.

1. To provide assistance to needy families so that children may be cared for in their own homes or in the homes of relatives
2. To end the dependence of needy parents on government benefits by promoting job preparation, work and marriage.
3. To prevent and reduce out-of-wedlock pregnancies
4. To encourage the formation and maintenance of two-parent families

A Brief History

On August 22, 1996, President Bill Clinton signed the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (PRWORA). The Act (popularly known as the Welfare Reform Act) eliminated some federal welfare programs such as Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) and dramatically changed the nation’s welfare system into one that requires work in exchange for time-limited assistance. The Act also authorized federally-recognized tribes to manage their own Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) programs. Funding is awarded and administered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) through the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) and the Office of Family Assistance (OFA). The Morongo Band of Mission Indians began administering its Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program in Riverside County in 2005. In March of 2014 the program expanded its service area to include families in need throughout San Bernardino County. The Morongo Tribal TANF Program (MTTP) is a federally and state funded program designed to prepare current and future generations to meet the challenges of achieving self-sufficiency through education, career development, and financial assistance. MTTP is one of 74 approved Tribal TANF programs in the nation, and one of 17 Tribal TANF programs in California. 

Program Services

MTTP provides time-limited assistance to eligible Native American families with children through the provision of cash aid and supportive services, including child care, transportation, and work supports. Education and job training is offered to enhance the employability of parents and caretaker relatives. MTTP provides emergency assistance, diversion assistance, prevention, and family formation services designed to support and encourage Native American self-reliance. A key team of professionals is available to provide referrals to community resources, education and activities for youth, and life skills to promote healthy families. It is the intent of the program that assistance and services be provided promptly with due regard for the preservation of Indian family life.

Service Area and Population

MTTP Banning Site

• Morongo Tribal members residing in Riverside County
• Morongo descendants residing in Riverside County, excluding the city of Riverside
• Members or descendants of a federally recognized Tribe or CA Judgment Roll residing on the Morongo Reservation

MTTP San Bernardino Site

• Members or descendants of a federally recognized Tribe or CA Judgment Roll, or Alaska Natives, residing in San Bernardino County (off-reservation)

Program Eligibility

To qualify for any MTTP service or benefits, families must meet the following requirements:

• Must have at least one minor child in the home (up to age 19 if attending high school, or up to age 22 attending if high school and receiving special education services with an IEP)
• Must be Native or Non-Native parent(s) with an eligible Native American child or be a Caretaker Relative with an eligible Native American child
• Must reside in the MTTP service area
• Must meet income eligibility requirements; countable income must be equal to or less than 200% of the Federal Poverty Level and families must have less than $10,000 in countable resources
• Child-only services are available to “timed-out” families who have reached the 60-month assistance limit and to non-needy caretaker relative cases
• All adult applicants are required to complete a drug and alcohol screening at intake, including caretaker relatives