The National Indian Child Care Association (NICCA) has submitted formal comments in response to the Office of Child Care’s (OCC) Request for Information: Meeting the Child Care Needs in Tribal Nations (Docket ACF–2023–0004). This request is part of OCC’s efforts to gather insights and recommendations to improve child care services for Tribal communities across the nation. The OCC's initiative aims to ensure that child care programs are accessible, culturally appropriate, and effective in supporting Tribal children and families.
NICCA's Key Recommendations
NICCA’s response addresses a broad range of topics to enhance Tribal child care services, focusing on both visionary improvements and specific adjustments to existing policies. Here are some highlights from our formal submission:
Vision for Tribal Child Care – NICCA outlines an ideal framework for Tribal child care, emphasizing cultural preservation, holistic family bonding, and creating supportive, safe, and culturally-appropriate learning environments. This vision includes integrating Native language and cultural teachings into child care curricula and promoting healthy, community-based food practices.
Increased Funding and Transparency – NICCA calls for more substantial investment in Tribal child care, improved data transparency, and streamlined reporting requirements. Transparent access to data is vital for accurately portraying the needs and impacts of Tribal child care programs.
Flexibility in Care Structures – We recommend that Tribal Nations be granted the flexibility to define "relative caregiving" in a way that respects Tribal customs, including a more holistic approach to family bonding and support.
Enhanced Workforce Support – Addressing the needs of Tribal child care workers, NICCA advocates for increased wages, access to benefits, wellness programs, and professional development opportunities to support a robust early childhood workforce within Tribal communities.
Infrastructure and Service Expansion – To better meet community needs, we propose support for building and renovating child care facilities, including providing safe, eco-friendly spaces designed around Tribal values and needs.
Technical Assistance and Collaboration – NICCA underscores the importance of extensive technical support and collaboration with Tribal programs to help them scale services, coordinate funding, and address specific needs within their communities.
NICCA is committed to advocating for policies and resources that support the growth of Tribal child care services, promoting sovereignty, cultural integrity, and comprehensive support for Native children, families, and child care providers.
Click below to download our official submission.
Join us in advocating for a future where every Tribal child has access to safe, supportive, and culturally-rich child care environments.