Social Services Department:
The goal of the Social Services Department is to promote the self-sufficiency of the American Indian people through education, employment resources and referral. The Tucson Indian Center believes that the basic needs of American Indian people and families must be met so that they can pursue a healthy quality of life.

The Social Services Department offers an array of services that are geared primarily to employment, education/training, and emergency assistance.

(Workforce Investment Act -WIA)

  • Employment services are designed to assist adult Native Americans living off reservation with the following:

    - Job development
    - Job referrals
    - Completing applications
    - Developing resumes
    - Practicing interview skills

  • Adult Education Services
    Adult Education Services are offered to Native American adults living off reservation in the Tucson area. Services include:

    - Career and education counseling
    - Reading and math assessment testing
    - Assistance with enrolling in high school or GED programs,   and higher educations institutions.

  • Vocational Training
    Assistance with securing sponsorship in vocational training programs is available. If eligible funding for part of the tuition and/or living cost is provided.

  • Work Experience
    Work experience is a training program designed for adults to gain hands on experience in actual positions where current skills can be enhanced.

Marguerite Casey Foundation
TIC works to build advocacy and community mobilization for urban Native American parents, families and community members.


Pima County Native American Employment Policy (NAEP) Program
Pima County Government is the second largest employer in Tucson, employing nearly 6,000 citizens in a variety of administrative, professional, technical, paraprofessional, skilled, and semi-skilled positions. As in most areas of the private and public employment sectors, Native Americans are greatly under-represented. In response to the critical need to equally employ Native Americans, Pima County Government adopted a “Native American Employment Policy” in December 1995. The Tucson Indian Center’s NAEP program provides:
  • Recruitment of Native Americans interested in employment with the County through specialized outreach efforts
  • Assisting interested individuals with the referral, application, and interviewing process, and following up on their status.
  • Enhancing job training efforts through assessment and direct or indirect training and education services.
  • Improving the retention rate and career advancement of current Native American employees through direct collaboration and counseling with supervisors and employees.
  • 3-Week job shadowing
  • Quarterly networking events

Pima County Emergency Services Network (ESN)
Assistance for emergency rent, mortgage, and utility funds to prevent eviction or utility cut-off.