477 Division

The 477 Division creates a single, coordinated system of collaborative services that focuses on providing employment, training and related services to eligible Alaska Natives and/or American Indians within Tlingit & Haida’s service area.

The division’s mission is to create and maintain a comprehensive program to provide opportunities to clients through the provision of education, training and employment services. Our mission is carried out through the consolidation of federal education, training and employment programs and related services included in the Tribe’s 477 Plan. This plan demonstrates how we, as a tribe, integrate these federal program activities and services to improve their effectiveness and reduce unemployment in our communities as we meet goals that are in accordance with our strategic plan and the policy of self-determination. Services are provided through a consolidation of funds under Public Law (P.L.) 102-477 which includes U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) adult and youth; U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS) Native Employment Works (NEW); Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF); Child Care Development Fund (CCDF); U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) General Assistance (GA) Program, Employability Assistance – Job Placement and Training (JPT) Program, Employment Assistance (EA), and Community Service Block Grant (CSBG). Non-477 departments under the 477 Division include the Tribal Vocational Rehabilitation (TVR) and Tribal Child Support Unit (TCSU).

Tlingit & Haida established a fully integrated 477 plan that incorporates all employment and trainingrelated funding sources into a seamless client service system that: » Provides one universal application for services, » Eliminates duplication of services, and » Links client services through collaboration and referral.

The 477 Division has three purposes: » Empower unemployed and underemployed tribal citizens; » Improve the quality and effectiveness of services through integration and collaboration; and » Increase self-sufficiency among tribal citizens.

Keegahn William Martin Director

ƒ Prioritized staff development and training to ensure the highest quality of services for tribal citizens. » All 477 staff completed Customer Service and Phone Etiquette trainings. » Managers of each department worked with their staff to identify professional development training opportunities. ƒ Hosted a 477 All Staff meeting that focused on self-care during the COVID-19 pandemic. ƒ Provided weekly online seminars to clients which included Résumé Writing, Interview Skills,

Dressing for Success, and Time Management through a contract with Career Services Network, LLC.

ƒ Participated in local, state and national meetings and events throughout the year, some of which included: » National 477 Tribal Workgroup (Member at Large) weekly Zoom meetings for: • Annual National Indian and Native American Employment and Training Conference (NINAETC)/477 Conference planning, and • Federal Report Forms – analysis and revision. » Virtual NINAETC/477 Annual Conference (September 20-23). » Virtual 477 Annual Meeting with federal partners, as required by P.L. 115-93 (September 16). » National 477 Tribal Workgroup quarterly Zoom meetings.

ƒ Evaluate and streamline 477’s eligibility process and improve accessibility options for remote communities. ƒ Continue to prioritize staff development & training to ensure the highest quality services for our tribal citizens ƒ Continue to offer online options for job readiness training and tools. ƒ Continue to collaborate with other Tribal departments, including, but not limited to, Tribal Family & Youth Services, Business and Economic Development, Tribal Court, and the Vocational Training

Resource Center. ƒ In continued response to the pandemic, and to honor the Tribe’s pandemic protocols – increase accessibility to 477 staff for services, which may include, but is not limited to, Zoom, WebEx, and other online platforms.