How do American Indians access public welfare programs?
Access is attained through county human service agencies under the same procedures used for other Minnesotans. A number of tribes that operated the employment and training services component of the AFDC program are continuing to provide employment and training services under MFIP-S. The 1996 federal welfare reform legislation authorized tribes to also operate the income maintenance portion of this program. The Mille Lacs Reservation government has decided to operate MFIP-S for families with an adult enrolled in the Band who reside in the six county area that includes Aitkin, Benton, Crow Wing, Mille Lacs, Morrison, and Pine counties. The reservation will also administer the Food Stamp and Medical Assistance programs for these clients. The startup date is expected to be January 1, 1999. The tribe plans to operate a program identical to the MFIP-S program operated in the remainder of Minnesota and will utilize the statewide computer system and state forms for ease of administration. Othe
