Tribal Support Now Available in New California Locations

By: Janelle Mora, CA DCSS

In California, families in 25 tribes can now establish paternity in the same place they apply for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). In November 2017, the Department of Child Support Services’ Paternity Opportunity Program gave the California Tribal TANF Partnership (CTTP) approval to officially assist parents to legally establish paternity.

California created the CTTP in 2003 to help Native American families become more self-sufficient. The partnership provides educational training, employment opportunities, and temporary financial assistance. By adding voluntary paternity establishment to the full list of available supportive services, tribal members throughout California can save time and money by making a single trip to one of the 10 currently approved CTTP locations.

In 2014, program officials ramped up outreach and training efforts to increase awareness of POP, and train new agencies on the rights and responsibilities associated with paternity establishment. They provide training and resources to authorized witnessing agencies, so they can help families complete Declaration of Paternity forms. In July and October 2017, California POP manager Kyla Kuryllo conducted two training sessions for CTTP representatives.

In addition to the new Tribal TANF agencies, POP works with other authorized witnessing agencies statewide such as hospitals, county registrar offices, courts, social services agencies, notary public, and local child support agencies. Program officials are excited about approving their first Tribal TANF locations and are eager to build more collaborative partnerships in the future.

The program has helped over 3.1 million parents since 1995. Legally established paternity allows children access to benefits such as health insurance, inheritance rights, and social security. It can also give them more complete knowledge of their family medical history.

“I’m thrilled with the progress and positive impact POP continues to make in the lives of families throughout California,” says Kuryllo. “The recent addition of the CTTP locations as authorized witnessing agencies is the beginning of a wonderful partnership between DCSS and the CTTP.”