ANNOUNCEMENTS
Stabilization Grants to Child Care Providers Available Now
The Kiowa Tribe Child Care Program is pleased to announce the ARP Stabilization Grant to Child Care providers who are within the 22 counties of our service area.
The American Rescue Plan Act was created to stabilize the child care market during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. The goal of ARP plan act is to continue to access the affordable care for families, and support child care facilities and employees so that they can take continue to serve their community. Providers may apply for the following categories:
· Personnel costs, benefits, premium pay, and recruitment and retention.
· Rent or mortgage payments, utilities, facility maintenance and improvements, or insurance.
· PPE equipment, cleaning and sanitation supplies and sanitation services.
· Training and professional development related to health and safety practices.
· Goods and services necessary to maintain or resume child care services .
· Mental health supports for children and employees .
· Minor renovations of facilities (No structural changes to building).
An eligible provider defined by the ARP Act is either:
· a provider who meets CCDF eligibility, and all CCDF health and safety requirement that date of the application submission, or
· A provider who was licensed, regulated, or registered and met all applicable state/local health and safety requirements at the date of enactment of the ARP Act on March of 2021
Grantees will be required to keep record of expenditures throughout the cycle of the grant. Further information on record requirements will be published grants are awarded. The Kiowa Tribe Child Care Director will contact providers to inform them of their grant award status and any additional guidelines.
Please complete all sections of the application to the best of your ability. if you need assistance with your ARP Act Grant Application, call Ms. Yvonne Haven at 580-654-6355.
KIOWA CHILD CARE ASSISTANCE
Update: March 2022 -The Kiowa Child Care Program is open and providing child care for our families. We are taking all precautionary measures in providing child care services during the COVID Pandemic.
The Child Care Assistance Program is funded by a federal grant through the Department of Health & Human Services and Administration for Children & Families. Certain requirements of the Child Care Program are necessary because of the federal regulations of the funding source. None of the funds used for day care assistance are tribal monies.
The purpose of the Child Care Assistance Program is to increase the availability, affordability, and quality of child care services in the 22 counties of Southwestern Oklahoma. The following 22 counties are: Beckham, Blaine, Caddo, Canadian, Carter, Cleveland, Comanche, Cotton, Custer, Garvin, Grady, Greer, Harmon, Jackson, Jefferson, Kiowa, McClain, Oklahoma, Roger Mills, Stephens, Tillman, and Washita.
Program Services
We provide assistance to Kiowa children under 13 years of age. Federal funding is applied for annually by the Kiowa Tribe in order to continue to:
· Provide low-income families with the financial resources to find and afford quality child care for their children, while working, attending training or educational activities.
· Enhance the quality and increase the supply of child care for families;
· Provide parents with a broad range of options in addressing their child care needs;
· Strengthen the role of the family;
· Improve the quality of and coordination among child care programs and early child development programs;
· Increase the availability of early childhood development and before and after school care programs;
· Engage children in learning the Kiowa language and culture.
Tribal Child Care Center
The Kiowa Tribe operates a tribally-owned Kiowa Child Care Center located in Anadarko, OK.
Subsidy Programs
Our program permits parents to choose from a broad range of providers licensed by the State of Oklahoma. These centers are monitored by the State DHS workers and by the Kiowa Tribal Child Care Program Director to ensure standards for health, safety and quality are maintained.
Program Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for this program:
· The child must be under the age of 13 years, and will become ineligible on their 13th birthday;
· The child must be enrolled member of the Kiowa Tribe; eligible to be enrolled Kiowa; or have at least one enrolled Kiowa parent; or a Kiowa enrolled child who resides with an Indian family, or attached to an Indian family by birth, adoption, custody or guardianship with appropriate documentation;
· Child must reside within the 22 counties of Southwestern Oklahoma;
· Complete a Child Care Application and submit all required documents before eligibility will be determined and approved;
· Must meet income guidelines based on family size and income. See the sliding fee scale;
· Both parents must be working, in training, or attending an educational program which prevents parents from providing care and supervision of the child in the household during the time the parents are participating in those activities;
· Must NOT be currently receiving child care services from DHS or other tribal subsidy programs.
Application Process:
Families must first complete an application for Child Care Assistance so that eligibility may be determined. Applications are fillable and may be completed on-line (see line below) or picked up at the Kiowa Child Care Center in Anadarko.
The following documents must be included with the application:
· Denial Letter from Oklahoma DHS in your county for 1st time applicants;
· Copies of Kiowa Tribal Enrollment Verification and/or CDIB (Certificate Degree of Indian Blood) for parents and children;
· Copies of parent and child’s Social Security Card or number;
· Copies of the child’s Immunization Record;
· Copies of the Child’s Birth Certificate (or hospital verification for whom the assistance is being requested for;
· Income verification and one month’s (2 recent check stub) from each working parent;
· Current Class Schedule (if applicable);
· Utility Bill (electric, gas, water, telephone, cable). If living at someone else’s residence, provide a statement from that person stating you reside with them and submit their utility bill.