A Brief History

Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act
On August 22, 1996, President Bill Clinton signed the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (popularly known as the Welfare Reform Act). The act eliminated some federal welfare programs such as the Aid to Families with Dependent Children program. The Act also authorized federally recognized tribes to manage their own TANF programs.

Navajo Nation Welfare Reform Task Force
As the largest tribe in the United States, the Navajo Nation began developing its own TANF program in December 1996. A Navajo Nation Welfare Reform Task Force and the Navajo Nation TANF project were created. The Navajo Nation TANF Project faced the challenge of designing a program that would effectively and efficiently serve customers living in remote areas throughout the 26,000 square miles of land in the states of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah.

Using the flexibility provided by the Welfare Reform Act, the Navajo Nation began developing strategies for promoting work over welfare and self-sufficiency over dependency. The work team also gave considerable thought to incorporating culturally appropriate practices.

In July 1999, the Navajo Nation submitted its first Tribal Family Assistance Plan (TFAP) to the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). In August 2000, the DHHS formally notified the Navajo Nation of its approval of the first TFAP for the period of Oct. 1, 2003 to Sept. 30, 2003.

Navajo Nation TANF Program
The Navajo Nation TANF Program officially opened its doors in 2002. Based upon a foundation of Navajo values and teachings, the program began serving customers to help them achieve economic self-sufficiency. The Navajo Nation TANF Program reached several benchmarks including developing its own Family Assistance and Employment Support Services Manual.

Navajo Nation Program for Self Reliance
In 2007, the Navajo Nation TANF Program became the Navajo Nation Program for Self Reliance, opening an entirely new chapter with a renewed emphasis on using the traditional concept of T’áá hwó ájít’éego, to help customers become self reliant.

Over the next three years, major policy changes will be implemented to motivate customers to pursue a career goal. Emphasis will move from cash-assistance to preparing NNPSR customers for self-sustaining employment.