Provisions guarantee continued support for all tribes that operated a federally-funded JOBS program in FY 95. Each tribe will receive the same funding that they received in FY 94, and this funding will continue for six years, through FY 02. Tribes that operated a JOBS program in FY 94 will receive support whether or not they elect to operate a TANF program in the future. The new law consolidates four child care programs. Mandatory funds replace those provided under the AFDC child care programs, and these amounts are fixed in law for each year through FY 02.
Discretionary funds are subject to Congressional appropriation.
Although one billion is authorized for each year, Congress can appropriate less. In July 1996 Governor Knowles signed Senate Bill 98 into law. This new law establishes the Alaska Temporary Assistance Program and dovetails with the new federal welfare reform law. Alaska Statute 47.27 lists the Alaska Native organizations the Department of Health and Social Services may coordinate with. It also allows the Department of Health and Social Services to cooperate with these Native organizations to propose criteria to the US Department of Health and Human Services to promote programs comparable to the state program in the same area.