At the National Indian Child Care Association (NICCA), we are dedicated to advocating for the best interests of Tribal children, families, and communities. Recently, NICCA submitted detailed comments on the proposed FY 2026-2028 Tribal Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) Plan Preprint. These comments reflect our ongoing commitment to ensuring that Tribal child care programs receive the support, funding, and flexibility they need to thrive.
Below is a summary of the key points we raised, as well as a link to download the full document for review.
Key Highlights of Our Comments:
Addressing Underfunding
One of our core concerns is the underfunding of the Tribal CCDF program. We emphasized that, without precise data on the number of children and families served by CCDF, we cannot adequately demonstrate the scale of need in Tribal communities. Increased investment is essential to ensure Tribal child care programs can provide high-quality services to our children.
Respecting Tribal Sovereignty
Throughout our comments, NICCA stressed the importance of respecting Tribal sovereignty. Tribes should maintain full control over defining service areas and determining who qualifies as a relative care provider. These decisions must reflect the unique cultural and familial structures of each Tribe.
Supporting Systems Building
NICCA advocated for additional funding to support systems building, particularly through initiatives like the Tribal Early Learning Initiative (TELI). By providing Tribes with more resources for creating cohesive systems of care and learning, we can ensure that Tribal child care programs are better equipped to serve their communities.
Practical Solutions for Data Collection
We also recommended the inclusion of checklists and other practical tools within the Tribal Plan Preprint. These tools would help streamline data collection, allowing for easier analysis of trends and giving Tribes more ideas for how to disseminate critical information to families and providers.
Your Role in Shaping Tribal Child Care
NICCA’s comments are a reflection of our collective voice as a Tribal community. Download our full comments here:
Conclusion
NICCA is committed to ensuring that Tribal child care programs receive the recognition, resources, and respect they deserve. By continuing to advocate for data access, increased funding, and the sovereignty of Tribes, we hope to strengthen the CCDF program and create lasting change for our children and families. Thank you for your continued support in this critical work.