Tribes and States Working Together: A Guide to Tribal-State Child Care Coordination
Table of Contents (This document is also available in PDF and Word format.)
Introduction
The Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) has made available $4.8 billion to States, Territories, and Tribes in Federal Fiscal Year (FY) 2004. This program, authorized by the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, PL 104-193, assists low-income families, families receiving temporary public assistance, and those transitioning from public assistance in obtaining child care so they can work or attend training/education.
The CCDF is administered by the Child Care Bureau (CCB), Administration on Children, Youth and Families (ACYF), Administration for Children and Families (ACF), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). By statute, DHHS is required to provide one to two percent (as determined by the DHHS Secretary) of the total CCDF monies allocated by Congress to Federally recognized American Indian Tribes and Alaska Native villages. The Secretary has elected to provide the full two percent set-aside to Tribes.
In (FY) 2004, 263 tribal grantees in 32 states were funded under this provision. This Federal set aside for Tribes is based on the government-to-government relationship between the United States Government and Tribal Nations. Both States and Tribes are required by Federal statute and CCDF regulations to describe within their CCDF two-year plans how they are coordinating with each other to provide child care services within their boundaries.
| "When we collaborate with the State we get to have a voice in what goes on in the State for all kids—and that includes Indian kids." |
In the Child Care Bureau’s Child Care and Development Fund Report of State Plans FY 2004-2005, twenty states reported consulting with Tribes and Tribal organizations in developing their CCDF programs. This number is growing, with an increasing number of States and Tribes forming more in-depth partnerships around the delivery of affordable, accessible, quality child care services within their boundaries.
Since 2002, the President’s Good Start, Grow Smart Early Learning Initiative has been a catalyst for increased State-Tribal coordination and collaboration around the development and implementation of early learning guidelines, the establishment of statewide professional development systems, and the coordination of various Federal and State early care and education programs and funding streams.
"It has been exciting and affirming to spend time with our tribal colleagues as we all work for a common vision." |
The purpose of this guide is to increase the understanding of the rationale and benefits of States and Tribes working together to provide quality child care choices and services for the children and families they serve. The guide provides a description of Tribal sovereignty and the government-to-government relationship; an overview of the similarities and differences between State and Tribal CCDF programs; a discussion of the Good Start, Grow Smart Early Learning Initiative; and, examples of successful Tribal-State collaborative efforts. Lists of important Tribal, State, and Federal contacts are also included.
Understanding Tribal Sovereignty and the Government-to-Government Relationship >>