Southern Indian Health Council, Inc·Alpine, California
The TAH Specialist is responsible for the recruitment, assessment, and ongoing support of Tribally Approved Homes to ensure safe and culturally grounded care for Native children. This role involves maintaining a caseload, conducting home visits, and coordinating outreach efforts to increase the number of qualified foster homes.
Position Title: Tribally Approved Home (TAH) Specialist
Department: Indian Child Social Services
Supervised By: ICSS Program Coordinator
Location: Alpine/Campo
Status: Non-Exempt
Posted: July 2026
Closing Date: Until Filled
$25.00 - $32.02
Grant: Grant Funded
Clinic Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00AM-4:30PM; evenings and weekends
may be required based on program need.
The Tribally Approved Home (TAH) Specialist is responsible for the recruitment, assessment, onboarding, and ongoing support of Tribally Approved Homes serving Native children and families. This position plays a critical role in strengthening placement stability, preventing foster care entry when possible, and ensuring culturally grounded, safe, and supported caregiving environments. The TAH specialist works closely with ICSS staff, Tribal Representatives, caregivers, and community partners to increase the number of qualified homes while maintaining compliance with Tribal standards and funding requirements.
The ICSS TAH Specialist maintains a caseload of families and face-to-face contacts with the youth and family.
1. Development and implement culturally responsive recruitment strategies to increase the number of Tribally Approved Homes.
2. Plan and coordinate outreach events (e.g., TAH recruitment events, community education, tabling events.)
3. Create and distribute outreach materials (flyers, social media, presentations)
4. Build relationships with Tribal communities to promote caregivers as a community responsibility
5. Provide education on ICWA, the role of TAH homes, and the importance of keeping children connected to culture and community
6. Conduct Initial screenings of prospective caregivers
7. Guide families through the TAH approval process from inquiry to approval
8. Complete home assessments, including but not limited to home safety checks and environmental standards
9. Ensure compliance with Tribal TAH standards and policies
10. Maintains accurate documentation of all assessments and approvals
11. Provide orientation to new caregivers on expectations, policies, and roles
12. Support caregivers in understanding child welfare processes, Trauma-informed care, and the importance of cultural connection
13. Provide ongoing case support, coaching, and problem-solving
14. Conduct regular check-ins and home visits as needed
15. Connect caregivers to resources
16. Promote caregiver retention through relationship building and recognition
17. Coordinate distribution of TAH-funded resources
18. Ensure funds are used in alignment with grant guidelines
19. Assist in data collection and reporting requirements
20. Must dress professionally and always conduct themselves in a respectful manner and demeanor
21. Ability to manage time effectively.
22. Duties may necessitate availability during after-hours.
23. Follow the project narrative, budget, and all terms and conditions of the awarded grant.
24. Other duties as assigned.
Bachelors degree in Social Services or other Behavioral Science field preferred. In lieu of a Bachelors Degree, applicant must have a minimum of 2 years of related experience. Have experience working with children, youth and families. Education, training, and/or experience, which clearly demonstrates possession of the knowledge and skills stated above.
Applicant must have excellent interpersonal and communication skills. Must be familiar and comfortable using computer programs including Microsoft Office components or equivalent. Applicant must be able to demonstrate past success in working with multi-cultural communities, preferably Native American. Possess the ability to work with tribal officials, county agencies, tribal community members, funding agencies, and all Southern Indian Health Council departments.
Applicant must be able to adapt to changing situations and circumstances and handle pressure with dignity, in all circumstances maintaining confidentiality. Possess an ability to always act professionally in the workplace and community. Must be able to work flexible hours as required to meet department needs and work collaboratively in a team approach.
A valid driver’s license is required and must be maintained throughout employment. Applicant must be able to travel throughout the organization’s service area including all SIHC site locations. Certifications and/or licenses appropriate to the positions required education and profession must also be valid and maintained.
Applicants must have a reputation for honesty and trustworthiness. Must be responsible and able to exercise good judgment, accept administrative supervision, pay attention to detail, follow instructions, including the ability to interact effectively and communicate with people in a professional and courteous manner. Must be highly confidential and work as a team with other staff. Applicants should be sensitive to client’s needs.
Strong team building, interpersonal, and organizational skills. Ability to establish and maintain effective peer relationships with coworkers within the Department, clinic-wide, and the public. Must be able to express ideas clearly, concisely, address audiences effectively, and exercise balanced judgment in evaluating situations and making decisions. Willing to be part of a team and cooperate in accomplishing department goals and objectives. Ability to prioritize, meet deadlines, take initiative, be proactive, and function in a rapidly changing environment. Ability to work with people of all social and ethnic backgrounds, resolves conflicts, negotiates situations, and facilitates consensus.
Normal clinic/office environment. Sit or stand for long periods of time. Reach, bend, climb, stoop, lift up to 25 lbs. repetitive hand movement; use and view PC. Reliable transportation and car insurance as required by the state. Travel as needed.
Each employee plays a key role in creating a compliance culture at SIHC. Employees are expected to learn and comply with all SIHC policies and procedures. One must have the ability to understand the implications and complexities of all compliance policies. Participation in all compliance training is mandatory, and generally has a heightened awareness of policies and regulations that are specific to one’s department and position. All SIHC employees are expected to report violations or suspected violations of compliance policies or regulations.
Applicants must successfully pass a pre-screening tuberculin skin test or x-ray and a blood/urine drug screening test. Health must be adequate to perform all duties of the position. Applicants must complete SIHC Application and Authorization Form, both must be submitted to Human Resources prior to the close date indicated.
In the filling of any SIHC job vacancy, preference may be given to qualified Native American Indians, pursuant to the Indian Preference Hiring Act, 25 USC 472, unless other laws require the filling of a vacancy without regard to Indian preference (e.g. Public Law (P.L.) 94-437, “Indian Health Care Improvement Act (IHCIA). To receive Indian Tribe ore for any SIHC position, the applicant must be enrolled, or be eligible for enrollment, as an American Indian with their Tribe, or must be certified as an American Indian from the designated Tribal Representative. Applicants claiming Indian preference must attach verification of their claim to the SIHC application, including Certification of form BIA-4432, which is available from the SIHC Human Resources Department. If verification is not or cannot be verified, the applicant will not receive Indian preference for purposes of the interview.
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Market context
In California, Tribally Approved Home Specialist roles are typically driven by demand for family support, home-based services, and culturally responsive care. These positions are competitive because employers often look for strong interpersonal skills, comfort working with multi-cultural communities, and a mix of education and related experience; this platform’s AI-summarized requirements and benefits help you review the original posting faster. Before applying, confirm your driver’s license status and prepare examples of work with diverse families or community settings.