Child Care Program

Inter-Tribal Council Of California

Child Care Program

ITCC provides child care subsidies for children under 13 years to low-income families who are working, or in a job training program, or attending school. In most cases, parents can choose the type of care which best suits their needs so long as their chosen provider meets basic requirements such as being at least 18 years old, does not reside in the same household as the children, and are tuberculosis free. Other types of care include Tribally-operated child care centers, state-licensed child care centers, and state-licensed family child care homes. All providers are required to meet minimum health and safety requirements set forth by the program funder, the Administration for Children and Families

ITCC CCDF Providers Services

Direct Payments/Vouchers to Providers on Behalf of Parents

Parents may be required to pay additional co-pays to the amount ITCC CCDF pays providers directly for child care services rendered. (Vouchers/payments are mailed no later than the 5th day after receiving the timesheets.)

Professional Development for Child Care Providers

Providers can earn up to $250.00/year for attending training/workshops put on by their county’s local child care resource and referral agency. Call ITCC CCDF to get the contact information for your county or go to the Caifornia Child Care Resource and Referral Network’s website. Click on the drop down menu that reads “Resources and Links,” then click on “Local R&R; Agencies.” Next, select your county.

Financial Assistance and Grants for Providers

To maintain safe environments for children, ITCC CCDF will assist providers in maintaining compliance with minimum tribal child care health and safety standards. For more information see the ACF guide.

ITCC CCDF Services to Tribes

Tribal Child Care Association of California (TCCAC)

In developing a relationship between Tribes, the California Department of Education (CDE), Child Development Division (CDD) and the federal Administration for Children and families, the TCCAC emerged. This association serves to unify Tribes around child care issues and to advocate for Tribal inclusion where necessary. Visit our Facebook page.

Collaboration

ITCC CCDF works closely with the child care programs of the California Indian Manpower Consortium and the California Rural Indian Health Boards. Through a Memorandum of Understanding, these three CCDF Consortiums provide referrals, develop strategies in administering CCDF for Consortiums.

Literacy Kits

ITCC CCDF is developing and early learning/reading kit for Native American preschoolers, kindergarteners, and first graders. The kits will contain scissors, writing equipment, tooth brushes, other small items, and five or more picture books. The kits will be complete with an alphabet coloring book specific to California Indian people.

Stand for Children Day at the Capitol and Advocacy

Each May ITCC CCDF teams up with the grassroots organization Parent Voices. Parent Voices members are charged with fighting for every child’s right to quality, affordable child care. Their efforts include testifying against the inevitable statewide budget cuts to child care programs and describe the impact to California’s working poor families. They conduct letter writing campaigns and send Valentine’s Day cards to legislators to remind them about the importance of child care and, they conduct training for parents to advocate for child care.

Local Child Care & Development Planning Councils (LPCs)

Every county in the state has a designated planning body for child care purposes. LPCs are comprised of child care consumers, providers, public agency representatives, and community representatives. Formally, Tribes are not represented on LPCs in that there is no appointed position for a Tribe to choose their own representative. However, Tribes have been encouraged to seek appointment to county LPCs and are appointed in counties such as Mendocino, Colusa, Sacramento, Sonoma, and San Diego.