Employment & Training

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E&T Application Forms

Program Purpose

Program Descriptions

Communities Served

Eligibility Requirements

Application Process

Contact Information

Program Purpose

To provide educational, training and employment opportunities for tribally enrolled Alaska Natives and/or American Indians that will help them achieve their potential in finding meaningful employment and maintaining a healthy lifestyle independent of program services.

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Program Descriptions

Under the Public Law 102-477 Act, the Employment & Training (E&T) department integrated the funds they received from the U.S. Department of Labor, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the Bureau of Indian Affairs into a single, coordinated, comprehensive program/plan that provides employment, training, and related services to eligible Alaska Native and/or American Indians that reside in our service delivery area.

All E&T services are supplemental resources.  All applicants are required to apply for financial assistance from other State, Federal, and private resources. All E&T services are dependent upon available funding.

E&T provides the following assistance to eligible tribal citizens:

Training Services offers assistance for basic education, classroom and vocational training to tribal citizens who are not able to obtain employment because they don’t have their high school diploma and/or GED or who lack specific training or certification to be considered for jobs. Some tribal citizens are served because they can no longer perform the work they were trained to do for lack of jobs or because they have acquired a physical disability that prevents them from doing the same line of work.

All applicants are required without exception to apply for financial assistance from PELL, FAFSA, Village or Regional Corporation, ANB/ANS Grand Camp,  Private Scholarships, etc. to help with the cost of their training.

Employment Services offers Career Assessment testing, Motivational Training, and Job Skills workshops to E&T TANF, TVR, ES, and AVT clients. The Job Skills workshops include Resume Styles, Writing Tips, Filling out Employment Applications, Writing Cover Letters and Resumes, Job Searching online, Interview Techniques, Computer Lab time, and Working More Effectively in Multicultural Organizations. Each client will exit the Job Skills workshop with an Employment Portfolio to use while they are actively seeking employment. Computers are available in the Job Club to continue their work search activities.

If funds are available Employment Services also offers financial assistance for basic living expenses, i.e., rent, utilities, food, local transportation, work clothes and tools, if newly hired and are required to perform the job. Tribal citizens must be 18 years of age or older, have their high school diploma and/or GED, and be job ready—employed or actively seeking employment. Work clothes and tools are only offered once in a lifetime and only when newly hired.

Employment Services Training Contract offers placement with an employer under a Work Experience contract for up to 500 hours or under an On-the-Job Training contract for up to 1000 hours depending upon the job classification.

Tribal Employment Rights Office (TERO) offers assistance to tribal citizens who feel they have been discriminated against. TERO also enforces Native preference on federally funded construction projects by referring tribal citizens who meet minimum qualifications for vacant positions by contractors.

Child Care Assistance Services offers assistance to tribal citizens in need of child care and related services.

Tribal Veterans Services provides Veterans with information on Veterans Benefits that will help meet their specific needs.

Fatherhood Initiative promotes strengthening the Alaska Native family by assisting fathers in becoming more involved in the lives of their children.

Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) offers intensive case management to families with dependent children to identify financial needs, employment goals, and obstacles in a Family Self-Sufficiency Plan (FSSP). They continue to monitor families as they move through their plan toward the ultimate goal of self-sufficiency and gainful employment. The TANF Program may offer support services that allow tribal citizens to find and maintain employment.

Tribal Child Support Unit (TCSU) has two principles that motivate its actions and activities. First, are the families and Child Support should be a reliable source of income for families. TCSU will focus its efforts on the needs of children; and in doing so, empower parents to ensure their children’s needs are met. Second, TCSU has a cooperative approach to establishing and enforcing support obligations. Striving to reach consensus among families ensures that families will work together to provide for their children.

The TCSU provides the following services to all applicants:

• Family assessment on Child Support needs.
  
• Referral to appropriate agencies for support services needed by the family.
• Location of parents and assets.
• Paternity establishment and enrollment.
• Support obligation establishment and modification.
• Enforcement of court orders.
• Tracking, collection and distribution of payments.
• Intergovernmental case processing and assistance.
  

There is no fee for these services, although costs related to determining paternity may be charged to the father. TCSU cannot monitor or modify visitation or custody orders.

Tribal Vocational Rehabilitation (TVR) is funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Education, Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) and is provided in collaboration with the State of Alaska Division of Vocational Rehabilitation. 
TVR offers vocational rehabilitation services to tribal citizens with disabilities. The goal of TVR is to empower tribal citizens to maximize opportunities for employment, economic self-sufficiency and independence. Services are designed to achieve objectives consistent with the circumstances that are unique to each client. TVR will assess strengths, resources, priorities, abilities, concerns and capabilities to arrive at an acceptable rehabilitation plan.

Services which may be utilized include:

• Eligibility and vocational needs assessment.
  
• Counseling, guidance and work-related placement services.
  
• Vocational, recruitment and other training services.
  
• Limited maintenance for additional costs incurred while training.
  
• Interpreter services for individuals who are deaf.
  
• Assistive technology services.
  
• Information and referral services.
  
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Communities Served

Training Services and Employment Services are funded by the Bureau of Indian Affairs and offer services to the following compact communities:

Some communities operate their own Bureau of Indian Affairs funded programs such as General Assistance, Adult Basic Education, Training (Vocational), Classroom Training, and Direct Employment Assistance. Tribal citizens residing in any of the following communities must first apply for services through their local IRA offices:

Job Training, TERO, Child Care, Tribal Veterans, Fatherhood Initiative, TANF, TCSU and TVR services are provided to all Southeast Alaska Communities with the exception of Metlakatla.

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Eligibility Requirements

Training Services

• Must be tribally enrolled or demonstrate proof of eligibility for tribal enrollment or Certificate of Indian Blood (CIB) from the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
  
• Must be a resident (minimum of 30 day residency required) in the Southeast Alaska service delivery area (Metlakatla not eligible).
  
• Age 18 or older (17 or older with diploma or GED).
  
• High School Diploma or GED required for Vocational Training.
  
• Custodial permission required if under 18.
  
• Must demonstrate application for other financial resources (scholarships, grants, FAFSA, etc).
  
• Unemployed or underemployed (defined as little or no job history and/or limited job skills) and economically disadvantaged.
  
• Criminal probation requires approval of probation/parole officer.
  
• Demonstrated employment or ability to obtain employment based upon training requested.

Additional Requirements

• Proof of seeking and acquiring other financial aide (PELL, FAFSA, Village and Regional Corporation, ANB/ANS Grand Camp, etc).
  
• Acceptance letter from school or training program.
  
• Outline of training program, school catalog and brochures.
  
• If attending school outside the State of Alaska, verification of student physical.
  
• If applicable, a copy of your rental and/or lease agreement.
  
• If applicable, copies of your current utility bills.

Employment Services

• Must be tribally enrolled or demonstrate proof of eligibility for tribal enrollment or Certificate of Indian Blood (CIB) from the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
  
• Must be a resident (minimum of 30 day residency required) in the Southeast Alaska service delivery area (Metlakatla not eligible).
  
• Age 18 or older with a high school diploma and/or GED.Males 18 or older must be registered with Selective Service.
  
• Job Training placement requires applicants to be unemployed or underemployed (defined as little or no job history and/or limited job skills) and economically disadvantaged.
  
• CCTHITA employees not eligible unless newly hired for interim assistance only.
  
• Criminal probation requires approval of probation/parole officer.

Child Care Services

• Must be tribally enrolled or demonstrate proof of eligibility for tribal enrollment or Certificate of Indian Blood (CIB) from the Bureau of Indian Affairs or a descendant of a tribally enrolled citizen.
  
• Must be a resident (minimum of 30 day residency required) in the Southeast Alaska service delivery area (Metlakatla not eligible).
  
• Up until 12th birthday (to 16th birthday if demonstrated).
  
• Youth applicant must have permission of legal guardian.
  
• Must demonstrate application for other financial resources (PAS II, PAS III).
  
• Family income within 85% of median income (discretionary).
  
• Family income at or below State Poverty Level.
  
• Each parent/guardian must have a minimum of 25 hours per week of training or work.

Fatherhood Initiative

• Must be tribally enrolled or demonstrate proof of eligibility for tribal enrollment or Certificate of Indian Blood (CIB) from the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF)

• Must be tribally enrolled in a Federally Recognized Tribe (allowances may be made for those that demonstrate proof of eligibility for tribal enrollment).
  
• Must reside in the Southeast Alaska service delivery area (Metlakatla not eligible).
  
• Age 18 or older.
  
• Must cooperate with the Tribal Child Support Unit (TCSU).
  
• Must show blood relationship for all family members applying on behalf of; client resources must be within State income guidelines.
  
• Clients are limited to 60 months of temporary cash assistance; minor parents must live with their parent or legal guardian and be a full-time student.
  
• Children must be residing in household; women in final trimester of pregnancy also qualify.

Tribal Child Support Unit (TCSU)

There are no requirements. Anyone may apply to TCSU for services. The TCSU will accept all applications, make an assessment on the services needed, and provide the required TCSU services. In the event TCSU cannot provide services, it will make a referral to a Child Support Program that can provide the appropriate services.

Tribal Vocational Rehabilitation (TVR)

• Must be tribally enrolled or demonstrate proof of eligibility for tribal enrollment in a Federally Recognized Tribe or Certificate of Indian Blood (CIB) from the Bureau of Indian Affairs (includes State enrolled tribal citizens).
  
• Must reside in the Southeast Alaska service delivery area (Metlakatla not eligible).
  
• Must be age 17 or older.
  
• Must have custodial permission if under 18.
  
• Must have a physical or emotional impairment which constitutes or results in a substantial impediment to employment; and may be reasonably expected to benefit in terms of employment from vocational rehabilitation services.
  
• Must be able to return to work at time of application; doctor’s release.
  
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Application Process

Central Council has implemented an “Intake Process” for all tribal citizens seeking assistance. Tribal citizens will go through a pre-screening process with the Intake staff, who will, based upon individual needs, provide the appropriate application to complete and make appropriate program referrals.  Once the application is complete, the tribal citizen will be scheduled to meet with program staff technicians for review and eligibility determination.

If you have never received prior services from Employment and Training, when applying for services, please provide the following information:

• Proof of tribal enrollment or Certificate of Indian Blood (CIB).
  
• Copy of photo identification.
  
• If applying for TANF or Child Care, provide copies of state certified birth certificate for each member of the household.
  
• Copy of Social Security card.
  
• Copy of High School Diploma or GED.
  
• Recently postmarked mail to prove residency in one of the communities we serve.  Address must be the same as provided on your application.
  
• If applicable, proof of Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), Adult Public Assistance, Unemployment or Social Security Insurance, food stamps.
  
• If male—18 or older, proof of registering with Selective Service.
  
• If applying for financial assistance for rent, utilities, food, or transportation, must provide copies of rental agreement, utility statements, and receipts for most recent payments.
  
• Must provide verification of income for all members listed on your application for the 30 day period prior to the date of your application, i.e., copies of pay stubs, unemployment insurance, social security income, personal loans, day labor, etc.
  
• If applying for TVR services, you must also include copies of records certifying your disability, or the VR Counselor will obtain your signature on appropriate information release forms permitting your physician to provide this information directly to them.
  
• Funding Agency
  
• Under Public Law 102-477, we consolidate Department of Labor, Health and Human Services and Bureau of Indian Affairs funds into one budget, one plan to serve tribal citizens. We also receive funds from the Department of Education for our TVR Program.
  
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Contact

Employment & Training 
Local: (907) 463-7141  or  (907) 463-7140
Toll Free: 1-(800) 344-1432 ext. 7140 or ext. 7141
Fax: (907) 463-7312

Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF)
Local: (907) 463-7351
Toll Free: 1-(800) 344-1432 ext. 7351
Fax: (907) 463-7312

Tribal Child Support Unit (TCSU)
Local: (907) 463-7132
Toll Free: 1-(800) 344-1432 ext. 7132
Fax: (907) 463-7730

Tribal Vocational Rehabilitation (TVR)
Local: (907) 463-7326
Toll Free: 1-(800) 344-1432 ext. 7326
Fax: (907) 463-7312

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