TriTAC. EPS. Cook Inlet Tribal Council, Inc. P.L. 102-477.

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Tribal Child Care Technical Assistance Center (TriTAC)
Effective Program Strategies

P.L. 102-477

Cook Inlet Tribal Council, Inc.

Demographic Information:
Cook Inlet Tribal Council (CITC) is located in the municipality of Anchorage, Alaska in south central Alaska. It serves the rural villages of Tyonek, Chickaloon, Eklutna, Seldovia, and Anchorage.

Type of Program:
The Indian Employment, Training and Related Services Demonstration Act of 1992 (P.L.102-477) permits tribal governments to consolidate a number of federal programs to integrate their federally funded employment, training, and related services into a single, coordinated comprehensive program. The CCDF is one of the programs that may be consolidated under P.L. 102-477. (See FAQs on TriTAC's home page) Under this comprehensive program, Cook Inlet Tribal Council, Inc. (CITCI) offers a certificate, or voucher, system for center-based care, in-home care, family child care and group home care. In FY 2000, Cook Inlet served 180 families and 288 children.

Effective Program Strategy:
Program information on all employment, training and other supportive services, including child care, is made readily available to all potential clients. The family application process is very efficient; one application covers multiple program services. In addition, Cook Inlet offers many opportunities for providers to improve the quality of their services through partnerships with other local, state and federal agencies.

CITC staff work closely with the Head Start program and Child Care Connection, a child care resource and referral agency, to distribute program information to families and potential providers. As service needs are identified, such as immunizations or safety issues, the staff develops appropriate solutions through coordination with the needed program service agency. Another important program function is to distribute informational and instructional literature to providers, parents and guardians on topics such as child development training, CPR classes, and disciplinary guidelines.

Resources:
Cook Inlet Tribal Council takes advantage of all the available resources to improve the daily care of tribal children. CITC's 102-477 plan integrates several federal programs, including: CCDF; Work Force Investment Act; Native Employment Works; Job Placement and Training; Johnson O'Malley; Higher Education and General Assistance. The consolidation of services in the 102-477 program allows CITC to case manage families and guide them through the tasks of finding and retaining a job, or a better job, as they increase their self-sufficiency.

Results:
The coordination of child care activities has many positive outcomes. One that is first and foremost is that families who are at risk of applying for public assistance can begin their active pursuit of personal goals, career development and self-sufficiency. The coordination of services allows for easier access to services that meet other needs with a minimum of confusion at this time of transition and great vulnerability. For example, a mother who has never worked before can apply for training and child care services. At the same time through CITC's coordination with a child care services organization, such as Child Care Connection, information on several child care options are available to her. The children who are in child care benefit from a nurturing atmosphere while receiving quality care in an established, licensed facility. Because the mother had a range of options regarding the care of her children, she will be able to concentrate on her studies knowing they are in the facility of her choice. The continuous support of her case manager will guide her through the steps outlined in her Employability/Career Development Plan. Upon completing her training, she will be referred to Job Readiness and Placement Activities without a disruptive break in services for her children as she enters job search activities and gains employment.

For parents on Alaska's Temporary Assistance Program (ATAP/TANF) required to participate in mandatory work activities as part of their Family Self-Sufficiency Plan, attendance is closely monitored and records are shared on a regular basis with case workers under a cooperative agreement with the Department of Public Assistance.

Children who do not have current immunization records are referred to the Alaska Native Medical Center where immunizations are administered, as needed, free of charge.

Lessons Learned:
Spend time organizing and developing a system that is responsive to the comprehensive service delivery needs of eligible families.

Contact Information:
Charlene Stephan, Child Care Coordinator

Address:
Cook Inlet Tribal Council, Inc.
670 West Firewood Lane, #112
Anchorage, Alaska 99503

Phone: 907/265-5916
Fax: 907/265-5990
Email: cstephan@citci.com

NOTE: If you have information about an Effective Program Strategy in your Tribal community that you would like to share, please contact the Tribal Child Care Technical Assistance Center (TriTAC) at TriTAC@namsinc.org

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This page was last updated December 17, 2003.