# DRAFT FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS 1‐31‐19 (2020) > Briefs, arguments, decisions, and more. URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/tribal%3Aminn_chippewa_white_earth%3Ac6483d26fd92fa3b ## Record - **Collection:** Tribal code - **Document type:** Tribal code ## Text Attachment ‐ A DRAFT FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS 1‐31‐19 Form: ACF‐118A; OMB Approval Number: XXXX‐XXXX Expiration Date: 0X/XX/XXXX) THE PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT OF 1995 (Pub. L. 104‐13) Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 120 hours per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing the form. An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. CHILD CARE AND DEVELOPMENT FUND for TRIBE: FFY 2020‐2022 This Plan describes the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) program to be administered by the Tribes for the period 10/1/2019 – 9/30/2022. As provided for in the applicable statutes and regulations, the Tribal Lead Agency has the flexibility to modify this program at any time, including amending the options selected or described herein. WORKING DRAFT Plan for: DRAFT FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS (PRA‐1) CHILD CARE & DEVELOPMENT FUND ‐ Plan Period: 10/1/2019 – 9/30/2022 For purposes of simplicity and clarity, the specific provisions printed herein of applicable laws and regulations are sometimes paraphrases of, or excerpts and incomplete quotations from, the full text. The Tribal Lead Agency acknowledges its responsibility to adhere to them regardless of these modifications. 1 Table of Contents Introduction and How to Approach Plan Development Part I: Section 1, 2, and 3 for All Allocation Sizes 1 Define CCDF Leadership and Coordination with Relevant Systems 1.1 Tribal CCDF Applicant 1.2 Designated Tribal Lead Agency 1.3 Administration through Contracts or Agreements 1.4 Consultation in the Development of the Tribal CCDF Plan 1.5 Indian Child and Indian Reservation or Service Area 1.6 Child Count 1.7 Coordination of Services 1.8 Program Integrity and Accountability 2 Establish Standards and Monitoring Processes to Ensure the Health and Safety of Child Care Settings 2.1 Health and Safety Standards and Requirements for CCDF Providers 2.2 Monitoring and Enforcement Policies and Practices for CCDF Providers 2.3 Criminal Background Checks 2.4 Disaster Preparedness and Response Plan 3 Supporting Continuous Quality Improvement 3.1 Quality Improvement Goals and Activities 3.2 Supporting Training and Professional Development of the Child Care Workforce with CCDF Quality Funds 3.3 Building the Supply of High‐Quality Care 3.4 Funding for Quality Activities 4 Small Allocation Tribes Only – Direct Services Part II: Section 5, 6 and 7 for Medium and Large Allocation Grantees only 5 Provide Stable Child Care Financial Assistance to Families 5.1 Eligible Children and Families 5.2 Categorical Eligibility 5.3 Application and Eligibility Determination/Redetermination Process 5.4 Improving Access for Vulnerable Children and Families 5.5 Family Contribution to Payments 6 Ensure Equal Access to High Quality Child Care for Low‐Income Children 6.1 Description of Direct Child Care Services CCDF Plan Effective Date: October X, 201X Amended Effective Date: [Insert Date as Amended] 2 WORKING DRAFT Plan for: DRAFT FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS (PRA‐1) CHILD CARE & DEVELOPMENT FUND ‐ Plan Period: 10/1/2019 – 9/30/2022 6.2 Assessing Child Care Market Rates 6.3 Setting Payment Rates for Child Care Services 6.4 Payment Practices and Timelines of Payments to Providers 6.5 Family Contribution to Payments 7 Promote Family Engagement through Outreach and Consumer Education 7.1 Parental Complaint Process 7.2 Consumer Education for Parents, Providers, and the Public 7.3 Additional Consumer and Provider Education 7.4 Procedures for Providing Information on Developmental Screenings 7.5 Consumer Statement for Parents Receiving CCDF Funds Part III: Assurances and Certifications Assurances and Certifications Appendix 1 – Triennial Child Count Declaration Appendix 1A – Triennial Child Count Declaration (P.L. 102‐477) Appendix 2 – List of Certifications Appendix 3 – Amendments Log CCDF Plan Effective Date: October X, 201X Amended Effective Date: [Insert Date as Amended] 3 WORKING DRAFT Plan for: DRAFT FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS (PRA‐1) CHILD CARE & DEVELOPMENT FUND ‐ Plan Period: 10/1/2019 – 9/30/2022 Introduction and How to Approach Plan Development The Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) program provides resources to State, Territory, and Tribal grantees that enable low‐income parents to work or pursue education and training so that they can better support their families and promote the learning and development of their children. The CCDF program also provides funding to enhance the quality of child care for all children. On November 19, 2014, the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) Act of 2014 was signed into law (Pub. L. 113‐186). The law reauthorizes and significantly revises the purposes of the CCDF program and requirements for States and Territories, but Congress left discretion to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to determine how new provisions would apply to Tribes. In September 2016, the Final Rule was released. It makes regulatory changes to the CCDF program based on the CCDBG Act of 2014. These changes strengthen requirements to protect the health and safety of children in child care; help parents make informed consumer choices and access information to support child development; provide equal access to stable child care for low income children; and enhance the quality of child care and the early childhood workforce. Additional Tribal flexibility includes tiered requirements based on the size of their CCDF allocation: Small, Medium, and Large. Tribes that received small allocations are exempt from the majority of the CCDF requirements, allowing those Tribes more flexibility in how they spend their CCDF funds and to focus those funds on health and safety and quality spending. Medium or large allocation tribes have the flexibility to consider any Indian child in the Tribe’s service area to be eligible to receive CCDF funds, regardless of the family’s income, work, or training status, as long as their Tribal Median Income is below 85 percent of State Median Income in the State in which the Tribe is located. A Plan developed by Tribes is the primary mechanism that the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) uses to determine Tribal compliance with the requirements of the law and the Final Rule. The Plan consists of two parts to address the flexibility Tribes have based on the size of their CCDF allocation. The Preprint is a tool for tribes to describe to ACF their progress in the following: Part I (For Small, Medium, and Large allocation Tribes): 1) Define CCDF Leadership and Coordination with Relevant Systems; 2) Establish Standards and Monitoring Processes to Ensure the Health and Safety of Child Care Settings; 3) Supporting Continuous Quality Improvement; and 4) Small Allocation Tribes only: Direct Services. Part II (For Medium and Large allocation Tribes only): 5) Provide Stable Child Care Financial Assistance to Families; 6) Ensure Equal Access to High Quality Child Care for Low‐Income Children; and 7) Promote Family Engagement through Outreach and Consumer Education. CCDF Plan Effective Date: October X, 201X Amended Effective Date: [Insert Date as Amended] 4 WORKING DRAFT Plan for: DRAFT FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS (PRA‐1) CHILD CARE & DEVELOPMENT FUND ‐ Plan Period: 10/1/2019 – 9/30/2022 These organizational categories reflect key functions of an integrated system of child care for lowincome working families. The intention is that grantees and the federal government will be able to use this information to track and assess progress, determine the need for technical assistance (TA), and determine compliance with specific requirements and deadlines. Plan Amendments: Tribal Lead Agencies are required to request approval from the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) whenever a “substantial” change in the Tribal Lead Agency’s approved CCDF Plan occurs. Please refer to the ACF Program Instruction regarding CCDF Approval of Plan Amendments CCDF‐ACF‐PI‐2009‐01 for specific details and timelines specific to the Plan amendment process. CCDF Plan Effective Date: October X, 201X Amended Effective Date: [Insert Date as Amended] 5 WORKING DRAFT Plan for: DRAFT FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS (PRA‐1) CHILD CARE & DEVELOPMENT FUND ‐ Plan Period: 10/1/2019 – 9/30/2022 1 Define CCDF Leadership and Coordination with Relevant Systems This section provides information on how the CCDF program is administered, including the designated Tribal Lead Agency and the administrative structure. It also addresses who was consulted in the development of the Tribal CCDF Plan and how the Tribal Lead Agency plans to coordinate CCDF services with other entities. 1.1 Tribal CCDF Applicant 1.1.1 Tribal Applicant – Official name of Tribes as listed in the Federal Register or Tribal Consortium. a. Tribe or Tribal Consortium Information: Name of the Federally Recognized Tribe (or Tribal Consortium): White Earth Reservation Name of Tribal Chair/President/Leader: Eugene Tibbetts Title: Vice-Chairman Address: PO Box 418 City, State, Zip Code: White Earth, MN 56591 Telephone Number: (218) 983‐3285 Email Address: eugene.tibbetts@whiteearth‐nsn.gov ACF will send official grant correspondence such as grant awards, grant adjustments, Plan approvals, and disallowance notifications to the designated contact identified here (658D(a)). 1.1.2 Are you a Tribal Consortium? Yes. Provide a comprehensive list of the participating member Tribes/Alaska Native Villages and include current demonstrations from the consortium’s participating Tribes indicating that the consortium has the authority to seek funding on their behalf. Examples of demonstrations include a Tribal Resolution, a letter signed by the current Tribal Leader, or another official document from the Tribal/Village government (98.80(c)(1‐4); 98.81(b)(8)(i)). X No (Skip to Section 1.2) For Alaska Native Regional Nonprofit Corporations, the list and demonstrations are for purposes of Discretionary Funds only. The list is provided as Attachment #: The demonstrations are provided as Attachment #: If there is any change in the consortium membership, the Tribal Lead Agency must notify ACF through an amendment to the Plan. Any consortium member Tribe seeking to apply for its own CCDF grant funds must first withdraw from the Tribal consortium and contact the Office of Child Care to initiate a separate application for its own funds. ACF must receive the application on or before July 1 prior to the year in which the Tribe is seeking CCDF funds. CCDF Plan Effective Date: October X, 201X Amended Effective Date: [Insert Date as Amended] 6 WORKING DRAFT Plan for: DRAFT FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS (PRA‐1) CHILD CARE & DEVELOPMENT FUND ‐ Plan Period: 10/1/2019 – 9/30/2022 1.1.3 A Tribal Consortium must describe how it coordinates services on behalf of each of its participating member Tribes/Villages. Summarize how the consortium is coordinating services (including direct services) on behalf of each participating member (98.81(b)(8)(ii); 98.83(c)(1)). Describe: The description should address how child care services are provided to each member Tribe/Village. 1.2 Designated Tribal Lead Agency The Tribe or Tribal Consortium will designate an agency to represent the Tribe/consortium as the Tribal Lead Agency. This designated agency agrees to administer the Tribal CCDF program in accordance with applicable Federal laws and regulations and the provisions of this Plan, including the attached assurances and certifications (658D; 658E(c)(1)); 98.83(a)). The Tribal Lead Agency can be a department or sub agency such as the CCDF Department, Human Services Department, Workforce Development Department, etc., and in rare cases the Tribe will administer the CCDF program. In the event of a change in the designated Tribal Lead Agency, the Tribal Official (President, Leader, or Chair) is required to officially notify ACF detailing the change in Tribal Lead Agency. 1.2.1 Which agency has been designated by the Tribe or Tribal Consortium to administer the CCDF program? a. Name of Tribal Lead Agency: White Earth Child Care/Early Childhood Program b. Web Address for Tribal Lead Agency (if any): www.whiteearth.com 1.2.2 Who is the Tribal CCDF Administrator? Identify the CCDF Administrator designated by the Tribal Lead Agency, the day‐to‐day contact, or the person responsible for administering the Tribal CCDF program. If there is more than one designated contact with shared responsibility for administering the CCDF program, please identify the co‐administrator/assistant administrator and include contact information. ACF will send programmatic communications, such as program announcements, program instructions, and data collection instructions to the designated contact identified here. a. Contact Information for the Tribal CCDF Administrator: Name of Tribal CCDF Administrator: Jessica Jackson Title: Director Mailing Address: Po Box 418 White Earth, MN 56591 Physical Address (if different than mailing address): 40560 County Hwy. 34 White Earth, MN 56591 CCDF Plan Effective Date: October X, 201X Amended Effective Date: [Insert Date as Amended] 7 WORKING DRAFT Plan for: DRAFT FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS (PRA‐1) CHILD CARE & DEVELOPMENT FUND ‐ Plan Period: 10/1/2019 – 9/30/2022 Phone Number: ( 218 ) 983 ‐ 3285 Ext: 1385 Email Address: Jessica.jackson@whiteearth‐nsn.gov b. Contact Information for Tribal CCDF Co‐Administrator/Assistant Administrator (if applicable): Name of Tribal CCDF Co‐Administrator/Assistant Administrator: Heidi Mertens Title: Finance Coordinator Mailing Address (if different from above): Physical Address (if different than mailing address): 35500 Eagle View Rd. White Earth, MN 56591 Phone Number: ( 218 ) 983 ‐ 4645 Ext: 5163 Email Address: Heidi.mertens@whiteearth‐nsn.gov 1.3 Administration through Contracts or Agreements The Tribal Lead Agency has broad authority to administer the CCDF program through contracts or agreements with other governmental, non‐governmental, or other public or private local agencies. The Tribal Lead Agency remains the single point of contact and retains overall responsibility for the administration of the CCDF program (658D(b)(1)(A); 98.11(a)(3); 98.16(d)(1)). Examples of such agreements could include: 1. The Tribal Lead Agency has a written agreement with another Tribal department to operate Tribal child care centers or to conduct background checks, etc. 2. The Tribal Lead Agency may contract with the local child care resource and referral agency to operate the Tribe’s child care program (including determining family eligibility and issuing payments to child care providers or providing high quality activities). 1.3.1 Will the Tribal Lead Agency directly administer and operate the CCDF program (98.16(d)(1)? This question does not apply to the demonstrations referenced in Section 1.1.2 between a consortium and its participating/constituent member Tribes/Villages. X Yes, the Tribal Lead Agency will directly administer and operate all aspects of the CCDF program. (If yes, skip to Section 1.4). No, the Tribal Lead Agency will not directly administer and implement all aspects of the CCDF program 1.3.2 List the names of those entities that will administer/operate aspects of the CCDF program and describe which aspects of the CCDF program they will administer/operate. Describe: a. What processes will the Tribal Lead Agency use to monitor administrative and implementation responsibilities performed by other agencies? Describe: CCDF Plan Effective Date: October X, 201X Amended Effective Date: [Insert Date as Amended] 8 WORKING DRAFT Plan for: DRAFT FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS (PRA‐1) CHILD CARE & DEVELOPMENT FUND ‐ Plan Period: 10/1/2019 – 9/30/2022 b. Include copies of the contracts or agreement as Attachment #: 1.4 Consultation in the Development of the Tribal CCDF Plan In the development of the Tribal CCDF Plan, the Tribal Lead Agency is required to consult with representatives of general purpose local/Tribal government (658D(b)(2); 98.10(c); 98.14(b)). Tribal Lead Agencies are also required to conduct a public hearing to provide an opportunity to comment on the provision of the child care services under the CCDF Plan (98.14(c)). Consultation involves meeting with or otherwise obtaining input from an appropriate agency in the development of the Tribal CCDF Plan. For the purposes of developing this Plan, consultation involves meeting with, or obtaining input from, appropriate representatives of the Tribal community. Did the Tribal Lead Agency consult with any other Tribal or non‐Tribal organizations or entities on the development of the Plan? X Yes. Describe: Lead Agency collaborates with different agencies that work with children for their input on child care needs, Regular Meetings: monthly Early Childhood Initiative meetings, quarterly MNTRECC meetings, weekly staff meetings, WECARE meetings. Emails: notice of public hearing was emailed out across multiple agencies with the opportunity to attend, respond and view copies of the plan (draft). WECARE meetings give the TLA opportunities to visit with many programs (employment & training, mental health, ICW, tribal courts, head start, etc. on our services and for us to hear about their programs and how to discuss services and collaborations. Working committees: Communities Collaborative Committee, Child Care Aware, Becker County Initiative, Project LAUNCH, LIFE Program, THV/MIECHV, Boys & Girls Club. No 1.4.1 Check the boxes on how the Tribal Lead Agency consulted with representatives of local/Tribal government, on the development of the Plan: X Regular Meetings. Early Childhood Initiative, weekly staff meetings, Monthly WECARE meetings, quarterly MNTRECC. Conference Calls. X Working Committees. Communities Collaborative Committee, Child Care Aware, TELI, Becker County Children’s Initiative, Pre‐K to Grade 3 Alignment, Project LAUNCH Other. Describe: Tribal Lead Agencies are required to conduct a public hearing to provide those interested with an opportunity to comment on the provision of child care services under the CCDF Plan (658D(b)(1)(C); 98.14(c)(1‐3); 98.16(f)). CCDF Plan Effective Date: October X, 201X Amended Effective Date: [Insert Date as Amended] 9 WORKING DRAFT Plan for: DRAFT FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS (PRA‐1) CHILD CARE & DEVELOPMENT FUND ‐ Plan Period: 10/1/2019 – 9/30/2022 The Tribal Lead Agency must conduct at least one public hearing prior to the submission of the Tribal CCDF Plan, but no earlier than January 1, 2019. The Tribal Lead Agency must provide a notice of the hearing throughout the Tribal Lead Agency’s service area. This notice must be provided no later than 20 days prior to the date of the hearing. Tribal Lead Agencies must make the contents of the Plan available to the public in advance of the hearing. Describe the Tribal Lead Agency’s public hearing process: a. Date(s) of public hearing notice(s) (at least 20 calendar days prior to the public hearing): b. Date(s) of public hearing(s) (no earlier than January 1, 2019): July 25th, 2019 @ 5:00pm c. Location(s) of the public hearing(s): White Earth Child Care/Head Start building d. How was the public notified of the public hearing? Check all that apply. Parent Newsletter X Tribal/Local Media White Earth Nation webpage X Internet. Provide website(s): www.whiteearth.com X Social Media (e.g., Facebook, Twitter, etc.) Facebook: White Earth Child Care/Early Childhood Program & White Earth Nation Posting on community bulletin board, etc. Describe: X Other. Describe: Mailed to providers and parents that are or have been in the past clients of the program. e. How was the content of the Plan made available throughout the service area prior to the public hearing? Check all that apply. X Tribal Offices (including CCDF offices) X Internet. Provide website(s): www.whiteearth.com X Email The public Hearing, plan, information on resources, events, services are distributed throughout the entire RBC employee email list (800+ employees), as well as county contacts, schools, non‐tribal early childhood, parents, child care providers. X Other. Describe: Copies made available at Child Care Program upon request and at Public Hearing. 1.4.2 Describe how the Tribal Lead Agency makes the final CCDF Plan and any subsequent Plan Amendments available to the public to the extent practicable: CCDF Plan Effective Date: October X, 201X Amended Effective Date: [Insert Date as Amended] 10 WORKING DRAFT Plan for: DRAFT FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS (PRA‐1) CHILD CARE & DEVELOPMENT FUND ‐ Plan Period: 10/1/2019 – 9/30/2022 Small allocation Tribes are not required to make the final CCDF Plan or any subsequent Plans available to the public but have the flexibility to describe if appropriate. Large and medium allocation Tribes should post their Plan and Plan amendments on a website, to the extent practicable (e.g., they wouldn’t have to do this if they don’t have a website). 1.5 Indian Child and Indian Reservation or Service Area Identify which Indian child(ren) will be counted in your child count (98.81(b)(2)(i)). 1.5.1 Indian Child Programs and activities are to be carried out for the benefit of Indian children. While Tribal Lead Agencies have some flexibility in defining “Indian Child,” the definition must be limited to children from federally recognized Indian Tribes, consistent with the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act’s definition of Indian Tribe. This could include children who are tribal members, whose membership is pending, who are eligible for membership, and/or are children/descendants of members. This could also include adopted children, foster children, and step‐children, etc. The Tribal Lead Agency defines an “Indian child” as: An Indian Child shall mean who is enrolled, or can show enrollment as far back as a maternal or paternal grandparent, in a federally recognized tribe and who is residing on or near the White Earth Reservation and/or our service area. 1.5.2 Indian Reservation or Service Area Programs and activities are to be carried out for the benefit of Indian children living on or near the Indian reservation. The service area must be within a reasonably close geographic proximity to the borders of a Tribe’s reservation (with the exception of Tribes in Alaska, California, and Oklahoma). Tribes that do not have reservations must establish service areas within reasonably close geographic proximity to the area where the Tribe’s population resides. There is an expectation that the Tribal Lead Agency will be able to provide services to families throughout the service area. ACF will not approve an entire state as a Tribe’s service area. Tribes can limit services within the reservation boundaries or go beyond the reservation boundaries. If a Tribal Lead Agency establishes a different service area for CCDF purposes, it must be within a reasonably close geographic proximity to the borders of the Tribe’s reservation or existing service area (658O(c)(2)(B); 98.80(e); 98.81(b)(2)(ii); 98.81(b)(3)(ii); 98.83(b)). For example: “permanent residence is within the reservation boundaries; however, the participant is temporarily attending school outside of the reservation area,” or “resides within 20 miles of the reservation boundaries,” etc. The Tribal Lead Agency defines the Reservation/Service Area as: On or near (up to 25 miles from the reservation boundaries‐with the exception of tribally owned and operated Oshki Manidoo Treatment Complex in Bemidji, MN) the White Earth Reservation boundaries. CCDF Plan Effective Date: October X, 201X Amended Effective Date: [Insert Date as Amended] 11 WORKING DRAFT Plan for: DRAFT FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS (PRA‐1) CHILD CARE & DEVELOPMENT FUND ‐ Plan Period: 10/1/2019 – 9/30/2022 Optional: In addition to the description above, a clearly labeled map of the service area is attached. Attachment#: 1.6 Child Count For the purposes of determining a Tribe/Tribal Organization’s annual CCDF funding level, the Tribal Lead Agency must conduct and submit a triennial child count. For the FY 2020–FY 2022 Plan period, the child count of children under age 13 (as defined in 98.81(b)(2)(i)) will be completed no later than June 30, 2019 and no earlier than July 1, 2018. The Child Count Declaration will be submitted every three years with the triennial Plan and must be submitted this year by July 1, 2019. The tribal count will be effective October 1, 2019–September 30, 2022 and valid for 3 years. If the consortia gains or loses one of its member organizations, then the adjustments will be made accordingly. The Tribal Lead Agency may not count any children who are included in the child count of another CCDF Tribal Lead Agency. The Tribal Lead Agency is required to confer with all other CCDF Tribal Lead Agencies that have overlapping or neighboring service areas (98.61(c); 98.62(c); 98.80(b(1); 98.81 (b)(4)). The child count submitted is not reflective of the number of children who receive direct services. Instead, the child count gives the number of potentially eligible children who meet the Tribal Lead Agency’s definition of Indian Child and reside in the designated CCDF service area. 1.6.1 Is the CCDF service area (as defined in 1.5.2) adjacent to, or overlapping with, the CCDF service area(s) of any other Tribal Lead Agencies? Yes. Identify those other Tribal Lead Agencies and describe your Tribal Lead Agency’s process for ensuring unduplicated child counts. Describe: X No 1.6.2 Complete and attach the “Child Count Declaration” at Appendix #1. A tribal consortium must submit: a. An individual Child Count Declaration for each participating Tribe signed by an individual authorized to act for the Tribe; and b. A summary listing: • The name of each participating Tribe; • Each participating Tribe’s individual child count; and • The total child count for the entire consortium. CCDF Plan Effective Date: October X, 201X Amended Effective Date: [Insert Date as Amended] 12 WORKING DRAFT Plan for: DRAFT FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS (PRA‐1) CHILD CARE & DEVELOPMENT FUND ‐ Plan Period: 10/1/2019 – 9/30/2022 1.7 Coordination of Services The Tribal Lead Agency is required to coordinate services with other Tribal, Federal, State, and/or local child care and early childhood development programs with agencies responsible for public health, employment services/workforce development, public education, and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, etc. (658D(b)(1)(D); 98.14(a)(1)(i‐xiv); (98.14(a)(4)); 98.16(e)). Tribal Lead Agencies must demonstrate in the Plan how the Tribe encourages partnerships among its agencies, other public agencies, other tribes and tribal organizations, private entities, and community‐based organizations in order to leverage existing service delivery systems for child care and development services. They must also leverage systems to increase the supply and quality of child care and development services. 1.7.1 Describe how the Tribal Lead Agency coordinates the delivery of CCDF services with the following agencies or entities and the results of those coordination efforts (e.g., shared goals/purposes for coordination and the process for coordinating): The Tribal Lead Agency works with all 7 school districts located on or near the reservation, the Boys & girls Club of White Earth, and Head Start Programs (both tribal and non‐tribal) by offering information on program services, professional development opportunities available at the Communities Collaborative Conference, SACC mini grants, Library, child development information and training, Early Learning Scholarships, Pre‐K to Grade 3 Alignment, School Readiness, Head Start/Kindergarten transitions, screenings and community events (Father’s festival, Week of the Young Child, etc). Lead agency also works with the Head Start Programs on and near the reservation with referrals, advisory committee, food program reporting and RAP (non‐tribal Head Start). The Lead Agency works with the statewide Trial Resources for Early Care (MNTRECC) that includes all 9 tribal CCDF programs throughout the state, local colleges and universities on early childhood educational opportunities for Head Start/Early Head Start staff, child care providers (licensed and non). The Lead Agency collaborates with the MN Department of Education in various early childhood initiatives such as: Technical Assistance Center for Social and Emotional Intervention (TACSEI). Lead Agency works with the Home Health Department on their tribal home visiting program (MIECHV) to work on school readiness with children 2‐5 years. The Lead Agency will continue involvement with local, regional, state and national organizations and committees to ensure trial child care/early childhood issues and concerns are maintained and addressed to improve services for children, families and communities. The lead Agency will collaborate with the MOM’s (Maternal Outreach and Mitigation Services) Program to provide training opportunities. The Lead Agency Licensor is a member of the Child Protection Team, which also includes representation from Indian Child Welfare, Housing and other related programs. The Lead Agency houses the Caring for Kids Store and along with many other programs (White Earth Health, WE Head Start, Indian Health Services, Indian Child Welfare, etc) stocks the shelves and gives points to clients and child care providers based on participation with school, training, parent engagement, well‐child checks, WIC appts and home visits, etc. The Tribal Lead Agency licenses and provides training and resources to the child care site at Dream Catchers Homes (supportive housing) and also Oshki Manidoo (tribally operated treatment facility). The Lead Agency continues to meet with Indian Child Welfare and CCDF Plan Effective Date: October X, 201X Amended Effective Date: [Insert Date as Amended] 13 WORKING DRAFT Plan for: DRAFT FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS (PRA‐1) CHILD CARE & DEVELOPMENT FUND ‐ Plan Period: 10/1/2019 – 9/30/2022 WE Financial Services to discuss and collaborate on child care assistance and Early Learning Scholarships for foster care, adoption or relative care families to seek appropriate funding streams which include Tribal, State and CCDF funding. Lead Agency will continue collaborating with Center for Inclusive Child Care (CICC), Child Care Aware, and Project LAUNCH. Public health, including the agency responsible for immunizations. Describe: Lead Agency works with local clinics and Indian Health Service for child immunization, dental care, Caring for Kids Store, 0‐3 screenings, Early Childhood White Earth Mental Health for referrals and training. Home Health for referrals, training, home visiting and health information. Lead Agency works with Home Health Department on the tribal home visiting program (MIECHV) to work on school readiness with children ages 2.5 to 5. The MIECHV provides funding for three Family Resource Specialists that are housed under the Lead Agency, along with monthly meetings with nurses and Family Resource Specialists and trainings. The Lead Agency is a part of the Tribal Early Learning Initiative (TELI) with its partners Home Health/MIECHV and WE Head Start/Early Head Start Program, Rural Impact, Public Health WECARE and Indian Health Services Pediatrician and Dental, attend monthly early childhood initiative meetings facilitated by the Lead Agency. Employment services/workforce development. Describe: Lead agency provides child care information to MFIP clients at the White Earth Child Care offices and Naytahwaush E & T sites. White Earth Employment and Training staff and their clients are invited to Program sponsored community events. The Lead Agency has a resource area at the Employment and Training where brochures, program information and community event flyers, and program newsletters are available for the public and MFIP clients. Lead Agency works with local businesses to provide child care information/referral for their employees and to increase community child care options. The lead agency continues to be a dedicated work site for MN Rural CEP workers, ages 14‐21 by providing CEP workers a work/training site in child care/early childhood. Public education. Describe: Health Department and Community Health Education – for referrals, community health news to share with parents/providers, Rural Impact Initiative, collaboration/support for Tobacco Prevention Coalition, healthy foods and physical health in child care, Communities Collaborative Brain Development Conference, WE Early Childhood Initiative, Diabetes Prevention, DOVE program and other community/cultural events. White Earth Tribal and Community College – for referrals, child care services, WECARE, professional development, early childhood education, Ojibwe culture/language opportunities, training/work site for students, advisory committee/conference. Brazelton Touchpoints – for training, early childhood partnerships (Tribal Colleges) and consultations. The Lead Agency continues an annual MOU for land lease for tribal child care building with the White Earth Tribal & Community College and Pine Point Public Schools. Temporary Assistance for Needy Families. Describe: TANF/MFIP for referrals and child care assistance, licensing, Early Learning Scholarships as well as health & safety, child development, FFN materials for their Resource Room. MN Work Force Center for referrals and child care information to those individuals who may be of Native American descent and eligible for CCDF Plan Effective Date: October X, 201X Amended Effective Date: [Insert Date as Amended] 14 WORKING DRAFT Plan for: DRAFT FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS (PRA‐1) CHILD CARE & DEVELOPMENT FUND ‐ Plan Period: 10/1/2019 – 9/30/2022 services through the TLA program. TANF (Becker, Mahnomen & Clearwater Counties) for referrals that include Parent Mentor/Family Resource Specialist. White Earth Financial Services for child care assistance program collaboration for families. X Child care licensing. Describe: Becker, Clearwater and Mahnomen counties, Region 2 quarterly meetings X State Advisory Council on Early Childhood Education and Care or similar coordinating body. Describe: Child Care Aware, MNTRECC X Statewide after‐school network or other coordinating entity for out‐of‐school time care (if applicable). Describe: Boys & Girls Club, SACC programs X Emergency management and response: Describe: CC Centers, Child Care Program X Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) and other relevant nutrition programs: Describe: ENP, State Reimbursement Program, Mahnomen Nursing Home. McKinney‐Vento state coordinators for homeless education and other agencies providing services for children experiencing homelessness and, to the extent practicable, local McKinney‐Vento liaisons: Describe: Agencies responsible for Medicaid and the State Children’s Health Insurance Program: Describe: X Mental Health Services: Describe: White Earth Mental Health, CICC coach X Child care resource and referral agencies, child care consumer education organizations, and providers of early childhood education training and professional development: Describe: WECARE, Tribal College, Locally within programs X Other optional examples Tribal Lead Agencies might consider with which to provide services: Describe: BRIC 1.7.2 How does the Tribal Lead Agency determine the Tribal community’s child care needs, including the needs of any underserved populations, such as infants and toddlers, families experiencing homelessness, special needs children, and children in need of non‐traditional hours of care? Check all that apply. X Conduct a needs assessment. Describe: X Survey community members. Describe: Annual community survey X Survey providers. Describe: waiting lists of providers CCDF Plan Effective Date: October X, 201X Amended Effective Date: [Insert Date as Amended] 15 WORKING DRAFT Plan for: DRAFT FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS (PRA‐1) CHILD CARE & DEVELOPMENT FUND ‐ Plan Period: 10/1/2019 – 9/30/2022 X Other. Describe: The Lead Agency will continue with community needs assessments and collaborate with Head Start Needs Assessment, WECARE assessments, public hearing survey, MFIP orientation, client surveys, home visiting, tribal college (students/faculty) and Shooting Star Casino employee survey. Community outreach through collaborations. Which of the following underserved populations are included? Check all that apply. X Infants and toddlers Families experiencing homelessness Special needs children Children in need of non‐traditional hours of care X Other. Describe: Relatives as Parents 1.8 Program Integrity and Accountability The Tribal Lead Agency, as the single point of contact for the administration of the Tribal CCDF program, is responsible for ensuring that policies and procedures are in place to monitor programs and services, ensure compliance with rules of the program, and provide oversight in the expenditure of all funds, including identifying improper payments and fraud prevention and recovery (98.11(b); 98.60(i); 98.66; 98.67; 98.68). The final rule requires Tribal Lead Agencies to develop policies and procedures to clearly communicate program information such as requirements, consumer education information, and eligibility information to families and child care providers of all backgrounds. 1.8.1 Does the Tribe or Tribal Lead Agency have written policies and procedures in place to ensure that the Tribal CCDF program complies with all Federal and Tribal rules and regulations? X Yes, and the policies and procedures are available by request. Describe: Lead Agency will provide copies upon request. Yes, and the policies and procedures are available online. Insert link: No, but policies and procedures have been drafted and are awaiting approval by the Tribe’s governing body. Describe: No, but policies and procedures will be in place by October 1, 2019. Describe: 1.8.2 An improper payment is any payment that should not have been made or that was made in an incorrect amount under statutory, contractual, administrative, or other legally applicable requirements. Incorrect amounts are overpayments or underpayments that are made to eligible recipients (including inappropriate denials of payment for service, any payment that does not account for CCDF Plan Effective Date: October X, 201X Amended Effective Date: [Insert Date as Amended] 16 WORKING DRAFT Plan for: DRAFT FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS (PRA‐1) CHILD CARE & DEVELOPMENT FUND ‐ Plan Period: 10/1/2019 – 9/30/2022 credit for applicable discounts, payments that are for an incorrect amount, and duplicate payments). An improper payment also includes any payment that was made to an ineligible recipient or for an ineligible good or service, or payments for goods or services not received (except for such payments authorized by law). In addition, when an agency’s review is unable to discern whether a payment was proper as a result of insufficient or lack of documentation, this payment must also be considered an improper payment. Improper payments may result from administrative error, unintentional client/provider program violations, or fraud. How does the Tribal Lead Agency prevent and identify improper payments? Check all that apply. Train staff on CCDF policies and regulations. Describe: Conduct supervisory staff reviews or quality assurance reviews. Describe: Share data with other programs (e.g., State CCDF, Tribal or State TANF, Head Start, Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), other Tribal offices. Describe: Run system reports that flag errors. Describe: X Review enrollment documents, attendance or billing records. Describe: Assistant Specialist reviews subsidy. Review provider records. Describe: Ongoing monitoring and assessment of policy implementation. Describe: X Other. Describe: WE Finance Department and WE Education Division Director approves and reviews all payments through Paramount for accuracy. The TLA Director reviews and monitors all payment requests and billing. 1.8.3 The Tribal Lead Agency is required to recover improper payments that are the result of fraud. How does the Tribal Lead Agency investigate and collect improper payments resulting from fraud? Check all that apply. CCDF Plan Effective Date: October X, 201X Amended Effective Date: [Insert Date as Amended] 17 WORKING DRAFT Plan for: DRAFT FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS (PRA‐1) CHILD CARE & DEVELOPMENT FUND ‐ Plan Period: 10/1/2019 – 9/30/2022 X Coordinate with, and refer to other Tribal, State, or federal agencies (e.g., Tribal Council, law enforcement) X Require recovery if the improper payment exceeds a specific dollar amount. Identify the minimum dollar amount: $ Any dollar amount is collected in a result from improper over‐ payment, using various processes listed. X Recover through repayment plans X Reduce payments in subsequent months Recover through payroll deductions (for CCDF clients/providers/staff employed by the Tribe) Other. Describe: 1.8.4 The Tribal Lead Agency has the flexibility to recover improper payments that are the result of unintentional errors/program violations. Does the Tribal Lead Agency choose to investigate and collect improper payments resulting from unintentional errors/program violations? X Yes. How will the Tribal Lead Agency investigate and collect improper payments resulting from unintentional errors/program violations? Check all that apply. X Coordinate with, and refer to other Tribal, State, or Federal agencies (e.g., Tribal Council, law enforcement) X Require recovery if the improper payment exceeds a specific dollar amount. Identify the minimum dollar amount: Any dollar amount is collected from unintentional errors/program violations utilizing processes stated in 1.8.4. X Recover through repayment plans Reduce payments in subsequent months X Recover through payroll deductions (for CCDF clients/providers/staff employed by the Tribe) Other. Describe: No CCDF Plan Effective Date: October X, 201X Amended Effective Date: [Insert Date as Amended] 18 WORKING DRAFT Plan for: DRAFT FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS (PRA‐1) CHILD CARE & DEVELOPMENT FUND ‐ Plan Period: 10/1/2019 – 9/30/2022 2 Establish Standards and Monitoring Processes to Ensure the Health and Safety of Child Care Settings Health and safety requirements apply to all Tribal Lead Agencies regardless of allocation size and apply to all child care providers who receive CCDF funds, including providers who only receive quality funds. All Tribal Lead Agencies must certify that there are in effect health and safety requirements applicable to providers serving CCDF children, and that those requirements are under Tribal, Local, or State law. These health and safety requirements must be appropriate to the provider setting and age of the children served, must include specific topics and training on those topics, and are subject to monitoring and enforcement procedures to ensure that providers are complying with the requirements. This section covers health and safety requirements, including: • Training (98.44(b)) • Monitoring and enforcement procedures to ensure that child care providers comply with health and safety requirements (98.16(n)) • Exemptions made for relative care providers (98.16(l)) • This section also addresses group size limits; child‐staff ratios; and required qualifications for caregivers, teachers, and directors (98.16(m)). The requirements for Disaster Preparedness and Response are also included in this section (98.16(aa), as are the Criminal Background Check requirements (98.16(o)) Tribal Lead Agencies have the option to exempt relative care providers from the health and safety requirements (defined in CCDF regulations as grandparents, great‐grandparents, siblings if living in a separate residence, aunts, and uncles (98.42(c)). This exemption applies only if the individual cares for relative children only. 2.1 Health and Safety Standards and Requirements for CCDF Providers Tribal Lead Agencies must establish health and safety standards for all types of child care programs (e.g. child care centers, family child care homes, etc.) serving children receiving CCDF assistance relating to the topics listed below, as appropriate to the provider setting and age of the children served (98.41(a)). This requirement is applicable to all child care providers receiving CCDF funds including those providers who are receiving only CCDF quality dollars through the Tribal Lead Agency. The only exception to this requirement is for providers who are caring for their own relatives because Tribal Lead Agencies have the option of exempting relatives from some or all CCDF health and safety requirements. For each category of care offered, indicate the standards that apply. For instance: • If the Tribal Lead Agency has developed its own standards (even if those standards were adapted from other sources, such as Caring for Our Children or State licensing standards), check “Tribal Standards.” CCDF Plan Effective Date: October X, 201X Amended Effective Date: [Insert Date as Amended] 19 WORKING DRAFT Plan for: DRAFT FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS (PRA‐1) CHILD CARE & DEVELOPMENT FUND ‐ Plan Period: 10/1/2019 – 9/30/2022 • If the Tribal Lead Agency requires providers to meet standards established by a state agency (such as state licensing or state department of education), check “State Standards.” • If the Tribal Lead Agency requires providers to meet standards from more than one source (for example, state licensing standards for off‐reservation providers and Tribally‐developed standards for providers on the reservation), check “Tribal Standards,” “State Standards,” and “Other Source(s)/Combination of Sources” and describe which standards apply to which providers. • If the Tribal Lead Agency requires providers to meet standards from a source not listed in the table in columns (a), (b), and (c) (such as Indian Health Service, the Child and Adult Care Food Program, Caring for Our Children Basics, Caring for Our Children 3rd Edition, etc.), then check “Other Source(s)/Combination of Sources” and describe the standards and the source(s) of the standards. If the Tribal Lead Agency uses a combination of standards, or uses other standards not noted, please describe in the box(s) below. Table 2.1.1.a Health and Safety Standards Used by the Tribal Lead Agency Provider Categories Tribal Standards State Head Start/ Other Standards/ Standards Early Head Start Combination of Standards Standards Center‐based Care X Describe: Indian Health Service Environmental Health Officer, Caring for Our Children as a reference Family Child Care X Describe: Indian Health Service Environmental Health Officer, Caring for Our Children as a reference In‐Home Care (In the child’s home) X Describe: Reference Caring for Our Children as a resource Optional: Provide a link or attachment to the standards indicated above (if applicable): Attachment #: CCDF Plan Effective Date: October X, 201X Amended Effective Date: [Insert Date as Amended] 20 WORKING DRAFT Plan for: DRAFT FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS (PRA‐1) CHILD CARE & DEVELOPMENT FUND ‐ Plan Period: 10/1/2019 – 9/30/2022 2.1.2 To certify, describe how the following health and safety standards for programs serving children receiving CCDF assistance are defined and established on the required topics (98.16(l)). This question is different from the health and safety training requirements, which are addressed in question 2.1.5. For each of the required topical areas of the health and safety requirements, Tribal Lead Agencies can indicate the definition of their standard that they use as well as the way in which the standard changes according to the type of care and the ages of children served. For example, Tribal Lead Agencies need to ensure that providers share how they provide appropriate pediatric first aid and CPR for each age group in a center‐based program. This means that the standard would need to indicate that providers who care for infants receive training in infant CPR and first aid. If those same providers also care for other ages of children, they would need to receive pediatric CPR and first aid appropriate for children ages one year through twelve years old, for instance. a. Prevention (including immunizations) and control of infectious diseases Provide a brief summary of how this standard is defined, including any variations based on category of care or ages of the children served: All White Earth Tribally licensed providers of infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and school‐age children are required to take the classes Health and Safety 1 and 2 before they provide care. The dates they attend Health and Safety 1 and 2 is written on their licenses. In Health and Safety 1 Class ‐ we go over the requirements of have immunizations updated in the children’s files along with training on the control of infectious diseases. We also provide the current required forms to use in their files. Each year for all the White Earth Tribally Licensed providers of all ages of children infants – school age they are required to take a supervision class that teaches about the control of infectious diseases and updated handouts and website are gives on this topic. Before new providers start servicing children and their families they are required to have supervision of safety classes that addressing these topics. In educating the prevention of spreading the disease we go over importance of hand washing, cleaning, sanitizing and disinfecting of our programs as well as excluding children when ill and encouraging immunizations. In the classes in respect to infectious diseases we share a list of them – how the disease is spread – what the early symptoms are – the time between exposure and sickness and when a child can return back to childcare once knowingly have the infection diseases We also go over which infectious diseases can be vaccine preventable and which ones doctors will notify the Public Health Service along with which ones pregnant women should seek advice from their maternal provider. In respect to our Tribal Legally Nonlicensed providers within their 1st 90 day of services receive the Supervising for Safety – Legal Nonlicensed course which covers the description as defined in prevention and control of infectious diseases, in which we include updated information on immunizations, too. Annually the Tribal Legally Nonlicensed providers are required to be trained in a supervision of safety class – which as defined above will review 2.1.2 a. The trainings that are provided for Tribally Licensed providers and Legally nonlicensed providers are by our Develop certified trainer or Child Care Aware agency. CCDF Plan Effective Date: October X, 201X Amended Effective Date: [Insert Date as Amended] 21 WORKING DRAFT Plan for: DRAFT FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS (PRA‐1) CHILD CARE & DEVELOPMENT FUND ‐ Plan Period: 10/1/2019 – 9/30/2022 • Describe if relatives are exempt from this requirement: No b. Prevention of sudden infant death syndrome and the use of safe sleep practices Provide a brief summary of how this standard is defined, including any variations based on category of care or ages of children served: All White Earth Tribally licensed providers, Tribal Legally Nonlicensed providers, and their helpers of infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and school‐age children are required to annually attend the class of “Sudden Unexpected Infant Death/Abusive Head Trauma.” Every other year they have the option of taking it on‐line. Providers go over the safe sleep practices with the parents of infants and White Earth Child Care/Early Child Care Program suggests to the providers to put the Safe Sleep Practices definitions in their parent handbook. Brochures are given to providers to give their families of infants on Safe Sleep Practices. The conversations with parents from the safe sleep brochure include safe sleep best practice : All babies are placed on their backs for every sleep, all babies will be place in a safety approved crib or mesh‐sided play yard (only allowed in family child care), guidelines of when a baby can stay on back if they roll over, nothing is placed in crib with baby other than a tight fitting sheet over a firm mattress, the requirements if a parent request that baby to be swaddled, a physician directive on a form approved by the Commissioner of DHS if an alternative sleep position it to be followed for a baby. Families are also invited to attend the Sudden Infant Death Syndrome classes. This class is mandatory for both Tribally licensed and legally non‐licensed providers before they start services. The trainings that are provided for Tribally Licensed providers and Legally nonlicensed providers are by our Develop certified trainer or Child Care Aware agency. • Are relatives exempt from this requirement? Yes. Describe (i.e., which relatives, all or part of requirement): X No c. Administration of medication, consistent with standards for parental control Provide a brief summary of how this standard is defined, including any variations based on category of care or ages of children served: All White Earth Tribally licensed providers of children ages infants through school‐age in the health and safety 1 Class about the signing a form to administer medication‐ which is a written permission from the child’s parent prior to administered medicines. and also the importance of the 5 Rights of Medication Administration which is the right medication, the right child, the right amount, the right time, and the right route. We also go over the proper storage of mediation, over the counter medication need to be kept in the original container sold by the manufacture. This is reviewed annually at supervision classes. The summary is the same for our Tribal Legally Nonlicensed providers and they receive the education in the “Supervising for Safety Legally Nonlicensed” class. The trainings that are provided for CCDF Plan Effective Date: October X, 201X Amended Effective Date: [Insert Date as Amended] 22 WORKING DRAFT Plan for: DRAFT FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS (PRA‐1) CHILD CARE & DEVELOPMENT FUND ‐ Plan Period: 10/1/2019 – 9/30/2022 Tribally Licensed providers and Legally nonlicensed providers are by our Develop certified trainer or Child Care Aware agency. • Are relatives exempt from this requirement? Yes. Describe (i.e., which relatives, all or part of requirement): X No d. Prevention of and response to emergencies due to food and allergic reactions Provide a brief summary of how this standard is defined, including any variations based on category of care or ages of children served: All White Earth Tribally licensed providers of children ages infants through school‐age in the health and safety 1 Class in which we discuss the most common types of food allergies: milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, soy wheat, fish, and shellfish. We define what a food allergy is and how an allergic reaction may look like as it is a response from the immune system in which chemical like histamine are released in the blood. The reaction can cause symptoms like breathing problems, throat tightness, hoarseness, coughing, vomiting, abdominal pain, hives, swelling, or a drop in blood pressure. We go over when to contact their caregiver and when to get emergency services. We also educate the providers on questions to ask about allergies and how to develop an emergency care plan for a child – for example if a child needs an epi‐pen on hand and how to administer them. This is reviewed annually at supervision classes. The summary above is the same for our Tribal Legally Nonlicensed providers and they receive the education in the “Supervising for Safety Legally Nonlicensed” class. The trainings that are provided for Tribally Licensed providers and Legally nonlicensed providers are by our Develop certified trainer or Child Care Aware agency. • Are relatives exempt from this requirement? Yes. Describe (i.e., which relatives, all or part of requirement): X No e. Safety of Building and physical premises, including the identification of and protection from hazards that can cause bodily injury, such as electrical hazards, bodies of water, and vehicular traffic • Provide a brief summary of how this standard is defined, including any variations based on category of care or ages of children served: All White Earth Tribally licensed providers of children ages infants through school‐age in the Health and Safety II Class in which they are trained on going through some of the main safety hazards and precautions they can take in their home and yard to keep all the children safe. This class is individualized as the providers share about their physical premises and buildings. Some of the topics are on how fencing for example may be required to protect children from bodies of water and/or traffic. We also go over firearms being locked up with the ammunition in a separate CCDF Plan Effective Date: October X, 201X Amended Effective Date: [Insert Date as Amended] 23 WORKING DRAFT Plan for: DRAFT FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS (PRA‐1) CHILD CARE & DEVELOPMENT FUND ‐ Plan Period: 10/1/2019 – 9/30/2022 locked area; we discuss the requirements for caring for pets in the child care, having their play space and equipment in good condition for example. We also discuss the hazards in a home and how this can vary depending on a child’s age. In prevention – daily checking of the indoor and outdoor environment is essential. This is reviewed annually at supervision classes. This summary is the same for our Tribal Legally Nonlicensed providers and they receive the education in the “Supervising for Safety Legally Nonlicensed” class. The trainings that are provided for Tribally Licensed providers and Legally nonlicensed providers are by our Develop certified trainer or Child Care Aware agency. • Are relatives exempt from this requirement? Yes. Describe (i.e., which relatives, all or part of requirement): X No f. Prevention of shaken baby syndrome, abusive head trauma, and child maltreatment • Provide a brief summary of how this standard is defined, including any variations based on category of care or ages of children served: All White Earth Tribally licensed providers, Tribal Legally Nonlicensed providers, and their helpers of infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and school‐age children are required to annually attend the class of “Sudden Unexpected Infant Death/Abusive Head Trauma.” Every other year they have the option of taking it on‐line. In this class to the realm of prevention pediatric abuse head trauma is defined, symptoms and consequences of abusive head trauma is discussed, risk factors for shaken baby syndrome is identified along with strategies to use when stressed, angry or frustrated, plus defining child maltreatment and how prevalent it is and how preventable it can be. Parent education is given on early childhood development reassuring parents that crying is normal for babies, the dangers of shaking a baby, plus being sensitive and supportive in situations when parents are trying to calm a crying baby. One of the strategies in the training is defining “the period of PURPLE crying” in the class. The trainings that are provided for Tribally Licensed providers and Legally nonlicensed providers are by our Develop certified trainer or Child Care Aware agency. • Are relatives exempt from this requirement? Yes. Describe (i.e., which relatives, all or part of requirement): X No g. Emergency preparedness and response planning resulting from a natural disaster or a human‐caused event (such as violence at a child care facility), within the meaning of those terms under section 602(a)(1‐2) of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5195a(a)(1‐2)). CCDF Plan Effective Date: October X, 201X Amended Effective Date: [Insert Date as Amended] 24 WORKING DRAFT Plan for: DRAFT FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS (PRA‐1) CHILD CARE & DEVELOPMENT FUND ‐ Plan Period: 10/1/2019 – 9/30/2022 Provide a brief summary of how this standard is defined, including any variations based on category of care or ages of children served: All White Earth Tribally licensed providers providers, of children ages infants through school age are required to attend the Health and Safety 2 class before providing services. In this class we explicitly go over emergency preparedness, writing an emergency response plan, what risks are in their neighborhood – examples: floods, fire, gas/chemical leaks, hazardous materials incidents, heat wave, nuclear power plant incidents, winter weather disaster, thunderstorms, tornadoes, and violent incidents. We go over all these risks and which ones are relevant for them along with where they receive disaster warnings, how to respond – sheltering in place – evacuation – or isolating. Planning actions are made – how supervision looks during and emergency and after an major emergency with both the children and families. This is reviewed annually at supervision classes. The summary above is the same for our Tribal Legally Nonlicensed providers and they receive the education in the “Supervising for Safety Legally Nonlicensed” class. The trainings that are provided for Tribally Licensed providers and Legally nonlicensed providers are by our Develop certified trainer or Child Care Aware agency. This is reviewed annually at supervision classes. This summary is the same for our Tribal Legally Nonlicensed providers and they receive the education in the “Supervising for Safety Legally Nonlicensed” class. The trainings that are provided for Tribally Licensed providers and Legally nonlicensed providers are by our Develop certified trainer or Child Care Aware agency. • Are relatives exempt from this requirement? Yes: Describe (i.e., which relatives, all or part of requirement): X No h. Handling and storage of hazardous materials and the appropriate disposal of biocontaminants • Provide a brief summary of how this standard is defined, including any variations based on category of care or ages of children served: All White Earth Tribally licensed providers of children ages infants through school‐age in the Health and Safety Class 2 are educated on Hazardous materials and the appropriate handling, storage, and disposal of biocontaminants. In this class along with what is a hazardous materials – substances which are ignitable corrosive, toxic or reactive. This summary is the same for our Tribal Legally Nonlicensed providers and they receive the education in the “Supervising for Safety Legally Nonlicensed” class. The trainings that are provided for Tribally Licensed providers and Legally nonlicensed providers are by our Develop certified trainer or Child Care Aware agency. • Are relatives exempt from this requirement? Yes. Describe (i.e., which relatives, all or part of requirement): X No CCDF Plan Effective Date: October X, 201X Amended Effective Date: [Insert Date as Amended] 25 WORKING DRAFT Plan for: DRAFT FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS (PRA‐1) CHILD CARE & DEVELOPMENT FUND ‐ Plan Period: 10/1/2019 – 9/30/2022 i. Precautions in transporting children (if applicable) • Provide a brief summary of how this standard is defined, including any variations based on category of care or ages of children served: N/A • Are relatives exempt from this requirement? Yes. Describe (i.e., which relatives, all or part of requirement): No j. Pediatric first aid and cardiopulmonary (CPR) certification • Provide a brief summary of how this standard is defined, including any variations based on category of care or ages of children served: White Earth Tribally licensed providers are required to have at least one provider certified in Pediatric first aid and Cardiopulmonary (CPR) present at all times in their child care. All Tribally licensed providers must get a recognized certification within 90 days of their first day of work. Tribal Legally Nonlicensed providers, are required to get Pediatric first aid and Cardiopulmonary (CPR) within 60 days of beginning of their services. Every two years all providers are recertified. • Are relatives exempt from this requirement? Yes: Describe (i.e., which relatives, all or part of requirement): X No k. Recognition and reporting of child abuse and neglect • Provide a brief summary of how this standard is defined, including any variations based on category of care or ages of children served: All White Earth Tribally licensed providers, of children ages infants through school age are required to attend the Health and Safety 1 class before providing services. In this class we go over identification and prevention of abuse and neglect and What is Abuse and Neglect – physical, mental, sexual, neglect and abusive Head Trauma, and we go over how they are mandated reporters with regard to abuse and neglect reporting. If any caregiver has suspicions that a child has been physically or sexually abused or neglected, regardless of location or where the allege perpetrator is they are to report those concerns – this can go back up to 3 years. Verbal reports must be made immediately to the local child welfare agency or law enforcement. Verbal reports must be followed up by a written report within 72 hours. They also receive a copy of the “Resource Guide for Mandated Reporters of Child Maltreatment Concern” by DHS – which is reviewed by the trainer and licensor with them. Also, in the Abuse Head Trauma class providers are trained on mandatory reporting. This is reviewed annually at supervision classes. This summary is the same for our Tribal Legally Nonlicensed providers and they receive the education in the CCDF Plan Effective Date: October X, 201X Amended Effective Date: [Insert Date as Amended] 26 WORKING DRAFT Plan for: DRAFT FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS (PRA‐1) CHILD CARE & DEVELOPMENT FUND ‐ Plan Period: 10/1/2019 – 9/30/2022 “Supervising for Safety Legally Nonlicensed” class and Abusive Head trauma class. The trainings that are provided for Tribally Licensed providers and Legally nonlicensed providers are by our Develop certified trainer or Child Care Aware agency. • Are relatives exempt from this requirement? Yes. Describe (i.e., which relatives, all or part of requirement): X No 2.1.3 The Tribal Lead Agency may also establish standards on optional health and safety topics that reflect the needs of the community served by the Tribal Lead Agency. These optional standards can include those related to nutrition, access to physical activity, caring for children with special needs, and any other topic determined to be relevant by the Tribal Lead Agency (98.41(a)(1)(xii)). Does the Tribal Lead Agency include optional standards in addition to the required health and safety topics in their health and safety standards? No X Yes. If yes, please complete the following questions #1‐4, as appropriate, on optional health and safety standards. a. Nutrition • Summarize how this standard is defined, including any variations based on category of care or ages of children served: Tribally licensed providers and Legally non‐ licensed providers of all ages infants through school age are offered trainings throughout the year. Nutrition is one of the topics that is offered at leave once every 3 years in a training. Yet ongoing through newletters nutritional health ideas are given to providers and their families they service. • Are relatives exempt from this requirement? X Yes. Describe (i.e., which relatives, all or part of requirement): It is not required for them to attend the classes, yet is an option for continuing education/support and they get the newsletters for themselves and the families they are for on this topic. No b. Access to physical activity • Summarize how this standard is defined, including any variations based on category of care or ages of children served: Through curriculum classes, Tribally Licensed and legally non‐licensed providers are taught the importance of physical activity for all CCDF Plan Effective Date: October X, 201X Amended Effective Date: [Insert Date as Amended] 27 WORKING DRAFT Plan for: DRAFT FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS (PRA‐1) CHILD CARE & DEVELOPMENT FUND ‐ Plan Period: 10/1/2019 – 9/30/2022 ages‐infants through school age. These classes are offered annually. The developed approved classes promote the access to physical activity, by educating the providers to partner with their families of the children they care for, they help meet tribally licensed providers hourly requirement in various knowledge and competency framework content areas to be Parent Aware. • Are relatives exempt from this requirement? X Yes. Describe (i.e., which relatives, all or part of requirement): It is not required for them to attend the classes, yet is an option for continuing education/support and they get the newsletters for themselves and the families they are for on this topic. No c. Caring for children with special needs • Summarize how this standard is defined, including any variations based on category of care or ages of children served: Through classes, Tribally licensed and non‐ licensed providers are taught various special needs along with strategies for all ages‐ infants through school age. These classes are offered annually. Per the requests of the providers and the program various special needs are trained on autism, ADHD, sensory processing disorder, FASD, down syndrome and prenatal drug exposure for example. The developed approved classes on these special needs not only educates the providers to partner with their families they care for, they help meet tribally licensed providers hourly requirements in various knowledge and Competency Framework Content‐areas to be Parent Aware rated. • Are relatives exempt from this requirement? X Yes. Describe (i.e., which relatives, all or part of requirement): It is not required for them to attend the classes, yet is an option for continuing education/support and they get the newsletters for themselves and the families they are for on this topic. No d. Any other areas determined necessary to promote children development or to protect children’s health and safety Summarize how this standard is defined, including any variations based on category of care or ages of children served: Annually in respect to The Knowledge and Competency Framework Content Areas a minimum of 50 hours a year is offered by our Early Childhood Curriculum Educator as defined: 10 hours – Content Area 1: Child Development and Learning 10 hours – Content Area II.A‐II.E: Developmentally Appropriate Learning Experiences CCDF Plan Effective Date: October X, 201X Amended Effective Date: [Insert Date as Amended] 28 WORKING DRAFT Plan for: DRAFT FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS (PRA‐1) CHILD CARE & DEVELOPMENT FUND ‐ Plan Period: 10/1/2019 – 9/30/2022 10 hours Content Area II.C: Promoting Social and Emotional Development 10 hours Content Area III. Relationships with Families 10 hours Content Area IV.A: Observing, Recording, and Assessing Development or Content Area IV.B: Assessing and Using Information to Plan These classes are offered to Tribally Licensed providers and Legally non‐licensed providers to choose from to meet their annual hours required. For the Parent Aware Rated Tribally Licensed providers they choose from these classes to meet their Parent Aware each year. • Are relatives exempt from this requirement? X Yes. Describe (i.e., which relatives, all or part of requirement): It is not required for them to attend the classes – yet is an option for continuing education/support and they get the newsletters for themselves and the families they care for on this topic, too. Yet each year they need 8 hours of training and they can choose from this area. No 2.1.4 Standards on Ratios, Group Sizes, and Qualifications for CCDF Providers Tribal Lead Agencies are required to establish child care standards for providers receiving CCDF funds based on the type of child care setting. The standards include appropriate child to staff ratios (by age range of child), group size limits for specific age populations, and the required qualifications for providers. This requirement also extends to providers who are only receiving quality CCDF dollars (658E(c)(2)(H); 98.16(m); 98.41(d)). • Providers who receive only quality CCDF dollars may consider the following options when addressing the standards: If the Tribal Lead Agency provides CCDF quality funding to support tribal language and culture camps, language nests, school break camps, summer programs, after‐school activities, etc., Tribal Lead Agencies are encouraged to examine currently existing capacity of staff within the Tribe or Tribal Organization that already have demonstrated meeting the standards and qualifications set by the Tribal Lead Agency. • Another way to approach standards for providers receiving CCDF quality funding only (as opposed to receiving subsidy payment from the Tribal Lead Agency) could be to establish partnerships and collaborations with other departments or programs within the Tribe or Tribal Organization in order to leverage currently existing resources that are already meeting the Tribal Lead Agency’s set standards and qualifications. Tribal Lead Agencies have flexibility in defining standards and provider types that are reflective of the culture and language and that meet the needs of the children and families served. Answer the following questions to indicate the required ratios, group sizes, and provider qualifications by categories of care and the ages of children. CCDF Plan Effective Date: October X, 201X Amended Effective Date: [Insert Date as Amended] 29 WORKING DRAFT Plan for: DRAFT FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS (PRA‐1) CHILD CARE & DEVELOPMENT FUND ‐ Plan Period: 10/1/2019 – 9/30/2022 Table 2.1.4 Standards on Ratios, Group Sizes, and Qualifications for CCDF Providers Center based Child Care Providers Infant Define: Ratio: Group Size: Teacher/Caregiver Qualifications: Toddler Define: Ratio: Group Size: Teacher/Caregiver Qualifications: Preschool Define: Ratio: Group Size: Teacher/Caregiver Qualifications: Define: School Age Ratio: Group Size: Teacher/Caregiver Qualifications: Define: Mixed Age Ratio: Group Size: Teacher/Caregiver Qualifications: Family Child Care Providers Define: Infant Ratio: Group Size: Teacher/Caregiver Qualifications: Toddler Define: Ratio: Group Size: Teacher/Caregiver Qualifications: Preschool Define: Ratio: Group Size: Teacher/Caregiver Qualifications: CCDF Plan Effective Date: October X, 201X Amended Effective Date: [Insert Date as Amended] 30 WORKING DRAFT Plan for: DRAFT FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS (PRA‐1) CHILD CARE & DEVELOPMENT FUND ‐ Plan Period: 10/1/2019 – 9/30/2022 School Age Define: Ratio: Group Size: Teacher/Caregiver Qualifications: Define: Mixed Age Ratio: Group Size: Teacher/Caregiver Qualifications: In‐home Child Care Providers Define: Infant Ratio: Group Size: Teacher/Caregiver Qualifications: Define: Toddler Ratio: Group Size: Teacher/Caregiver Qualifications: Define: Preschool Ratio: Group Size: Teacher/Caregiver Qualifications: Define: School Age Ratio: Group Size: Teacher/Caregiver Qualifications: Define: Mixed Age Ratio: Group Size: Teacher/Caregiver Qualifications: 2.1.5 Health and Safety Training for CCDF Providers on Required Topics Tribal Lead Agencies are required to have minimum pre‐service and/or orientation training requirements (to be completed within 3 months) for caregivers, teachers and directors, as appropriate to the provider setting and the age of children served, that address the health and safety requirements described in 2.1.2 and 2.1.3, as well as child development. Tribal Lead Agencies must also meet ongoing training requirements on the health and safety topics for caregivers, teachers, and directors of children receiving CCDF funds (658E(c)(2)(I)(i); CCDF Plan Effective Date: October X, 201X Amended Effective Date: [Insert Date as Amended] 31 WORKING DRAFT Plan for: DRAFT FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS (PRA‐1) CHILD CARE & DEVELOPMENT FUND ‐ Plan Period: 10/1/2019 – 9/30/2022 98.44(b)(1)(iii)). The Tribal Lead Agency must describe its requirements for pre‐service/orientation training and ongoing training. Tribal Lead Agencies have flexibility in determining the number of training hours to require, but they may consult with Caring for our Children: Basics and/or Minimum Health and Safety Standards: A Guide for American Indian and Alaskan Native Child Care and Development Fund Grantees for best practices and the recommended time needed to address these training requirements. Pre‐Service and/or Orientation Training Requirements a. Provide the minimum number of pre‐service and/or orientation training hours on health and safety topics for caregivers, teachers, and directors required for the following: 1. Center‐based Child Care Providers: 18 hours 2. Family Child Care Homes: 18 hours 3. In‐home Care: 4. Other: 5. Variations for Exempt Relative Providers: Yes their requirement is 16 hours 6. Describe any differences for Tribally‐Operated Center(s): None b. Provide the length of time that providers have to complete trainings after being hired to provide care for children (must be 3 months or fewer): 3 months c. Describe how the training is offered, including any variations in delivery (e.g., across standards, in rural areas, etc.). There is no federal requirement on how a training must be delivered: Trainings are offered on the reservation at various sites – examples: White Earth Child Care, Shooting Start Casino, in providers homes, at the center sites. Also, trainings are offered through Child Care Aware in area towns or online when available. d. In the chart below identify the pre‐service and/or orientation training requirements for each topic to be completed before the caregivers, teachers, and director are allowed to care for children unsupervised. Table 2.1.5.a Health and Safety Pre‐service or Orientation Training Topic Required to be completed before caregivers, teachers, and directors are allowed to care for children unsupervised? Yes No CCDF Plan Effective Date: October X, 201X Amended Effective Date: [Insert Date as Amended] 32 WORKING DRAFT Plan for: DRAFT FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS (PRA‐1) CHILD CARE & DEVELOPMENT FUND ‐ Plan Period: 10/1/2019 – 9/30/2022 Prevention and control of infectious diseases (including immunizations) X Prevention of sudden infant death syndrome and the use of safe‐sleep practices X Administration of medication, consistent with standards for parental consent X Prevention and response to emergencies due to food and allergic reactions X Building and physical premises safety, including the identification of and protections from hazards, bodies of water, and vehicular traffic X Prevention of shaken baby syndrome, abusive head trauma, and child maltreatment X Emergency preparedness and response planning for emergencies resulting from a natural disaster or a human‐ caused event X Handling and storage of hazardous materials and the appropriate disposal of bio contaminants X Appropriate precautions in transporting children (if applicable) N/A Pediatric first aid and CPR certification X Recognition and reporting of child abuse and neglect X Child development X Describe other requirements: Ongoing Training Requirements a. Provide the required annual training hours on health and safety topics for caregivers, teachers, and directors for the following: 1. Center‐based Child Care Providers: 2 hours 2. Family Child Care Homes: 2 hours 3. In‐home Care: 4. Other: Legally unlicensed providers: 2 hours CCDF Plan Effective Date: October X, 201X Amended Effective Date: [Insert Date as Amended] 33 WORKING DRAFT Plan for: DRAFT FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS (PRA‐1) CHILD CARE & DEVELOPMENT FUND ‐ Plan Period: 10/1/2019 – 9/30/2022 5. Variations for Exempt Relative Providers: 2.2 2.2.1 Monitoring and Enforcement Policies and Practices for CCDF Providers Enforcement of Licensing and Health and Safety Requirements Tribal Lead Agencies must certify that procedures are in effect to ensure that child care providers caring for children receiving CCDF services comply with all applicable Tribal and/or State/local health, safety and fire standards, including those described in 98.41 and 98.42(a). This may include, but is not limited to, any systems used to ensure that providers complete health and safety trainings, any documentation required to be maintained by child care providers, and any other monitoring procedures to ensure compliance. Tribal Lead Agencies may propose an alternative strategy or an alternative approach to meet these requirements. In its justification, the Tribal Lead Agency must describe how the alternative approach is appropriately comprehensive and protects the health and safety of children in care. Tribal Lead Agencies are subject to the provision at 98.42(b)(2) to require inspections of child care providers and facilities unless a Tribal Lead Agency describes an alternative monitoring approach. How does the Tribal Lead Agency monitor its CCDF providers for compliance with its health and safety requirements? Check only one approach. X The Tribal Lead Agency follows the provision at 98.42(b)(2) to require inspections of child a. care providers and facilities as follows (If Tribal Lead Agency checks this box, describe the process: • For licensed child care providers and facilities: one pre‐licensure inspection for compliance with health, safety, and fire standards; and at least one unannounced inspection per year for compliance with all child care licensing, health and safety, and fire standards. • For license‐exempt child care providers and facilities that are eligible to provide services: an annual inspection for compliance with health and safety and fire standards. b. 2.2.2 Tribal Lead Agency proposes an alternative monitoring approach and provides adequate justification for this approach. (If Tribal Lead Agency checks this box, describe alternative approach. Alternative Monitoring Approach ‐ Inspections Answer only if the Tribal Lead Agency is proposing an Alternative Monitoring Approach as indicated in 2.2.1. A Tribal Lead Agency may, at its option, use differential monitoring or a risk‐based approach to design annual inspections, if the content covered during each monitoring visit is representative of the full complement of health and safety requirements, and that the Tribal Lead Agency. CCDF Plan Effective Date: October X, 201X Amended Effective Date: [Insert Date as Amended] 34 WORKING DRAFT Plan for: DRAFT FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS (PRA‐1) CHILD CARE & DEVELOPMENT FUND ‐ Plan Period: 10/1/2019 – 9/30/2022 • Ensures the ratio of licensing inspectors to such child care providers and facilities is maintained at a level sufficient to enable the Tribal Lead Agency to conduct effective inspections on a timely basis in accordance with the applicable Tribal and local laws, and • Requires child care providers to report to a designated Tribal entity any serious injuries or deaths of children occurring in the child care. a. Describe the Tribal Lead Agency’s requirements for inspections prior to the provision of CCDF child care services (if applicable) and ongoing monitoring procedures for each category of care. If monitoring and inspection is conducted by an entity or agency other than the tribe, such as the state licensing agency or the Indian Health Service, please indicate who conducts the visits and how the tribe obtains the results of the monitoring. 1. Center‐based Child Care Providers: Routine: once per month, unannounced: twice a month by licensor and/or Child Care Coordinator 2. Family Child Care Providers: Routine: once per month, unannounced: once per month by licensor. 3. In‐home CCDF Providers: none. b. Describe how the Tribal Lead Agency proposes to monitor its CCDF providers for compliance with health and safety requirements using an alternative monitoring approach. Please describe and provide justification on how the alternative methodology ensures the health and safety of children in care: 2.2.3 Monitoring Inspectors Tribal Lead Agencies must have policies and practices that ensure that individuals who are hired as inspectors are qualified to inspect child care providers and facilities and have received health and safety training appropriate to the provider setting and age of the children served. Training shall include, but is not limited to, those requirements described in 98.41(a)(1) and all aspects of the requirements detailed in Section 2.1.2 and 2.1.3 (658E(c)(2)(K)(i)(I); 98.42(b)(1)). a. Describe how the Tribal Lead Agency ensures that inspectors are qualified to inspect child care facilities and providers and that those inspectors have received training on health and safety requirements that are appropriate to the age of the children in care and the type of provider setting (98.42(b)(1)): Annual training for Licensor as well as accompany the Indian Health Service/Environment Health Officer in his/her monitoring vists as well as accompanied the Child Care Health Consultant training offered by the state. In addition attends local quarterly county/tribal licensor meetings. 2.2.4 The Tribal Lead Agencies must have policies and practices that require the ratio of inspectors to child care providers and facilities to be maintained at a level sufficient to conduct effective inspections of child care providers and facilities on a timely basis in accordance with Tribal, Federal, State, and Local laws (658E(c)(2)(K)(i)(III); 98.42(b)(3)). CCDF Plan Effective Date: October X, 201X Amended Effective Date: [Insert Date as Amended] 35 WORKING DRAFT Plan for: DRAFT FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS (PRA‐1) CHILD CARE & DEVELOPMENT FUND ‐ Plan Period: 10/1/2019 – 9/30/2022 a. To certify, describe the Tribal Lead Agency policies and practices regarding the ratio of inspectors to child care providers (i.e., number of inspectors per number of child care providers) and facilities in the Tribal Lead Agency and include how the ratio is sufficient to conduct effective inspections on a timely basis: 2.2.5 Tribal Lead Agencies have the option to exempt relatives (defined in CCDF regulations as grandparents, great‐grandparents, siblings if living in a separate residence, aunts, and uncles (98.42(c)) from inspection requirements. This exception only applies if the individual cares for relative children only. Does the Tribal Lead Agency exempt relatives from the inspection requirements listed in 2.1.5? X Yes, relatives are exempt from all inspection requirements. If the Tribal Lead Agency exempts relatives from all inspection requirements, describe how the Tribal Lead Agency ensures the health and safety of children in relative care: Yes, relatives are exempt from some inspection requirements. If the Tribal Lead Agency exempts relatives from some inspection requirements, describe which inspection requirements do not apply to relative providers (including which relatives may be exempt) and how the Tribal Lead Agency ensures the health and safety of children in relative care: No, relatives are not exempt from inspection requirements. 2.3 Criminal Background Checks Tribal Lead Agencies are required to have in effect policies and procedures to conduct criminal background checks for all child care staff members (including prospective staff members) of all child care programs that are 1) licensed, regulated, or registered under tribal law; and, 2) all other providers eligible to deliver CCDF services (e.g., license‐exempt CCDF eligible providers) (98.43(a)(1)(i)). Background check requirements apply to any staff member who is employed by a child care provider for compensation, including contract employees and self‐employed individuals, whose activities involve the care or supervision of children or who have unsupervised access to children (98.43(2)). For FCC homes, this requirement includes the caregiver and any other adults residing in the family child care home who are age 18 or older (98.43(a)(2)(ii)(C)). This requirement does not apply to individuals who are related to all children for whom child care services are provided (98.43(a)(2)(A)(ii)). A criminal background check must include five specific components (98.43(b)), which encompass two national checks and three state checks. The three state checks must be conducted both in the individual’s current state of residence and in any state where the individual has lived within the last five years. CCDF Plan Effective Date: October X, 201X Amended Effective Date: [Insert Date as Amended] 36 WORKING DRAFT Plan for: DRAFT FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS (PRA‐1) CHILD CARE & DEVELOPMENT FUND ‐ Plan Period: 10/1/2019 – 9/30/2022 In some instances, a tribe may use its CCDF funds to support direct services delivered by a child care provider whose staff have already met the state’s background check requirements consistent with the CCDF rule (because that provider is licensed by the state and/or receives CCDF funding from the state). In such instances, it is not necessary for the tribe to require additional or duplicative background checks. Note: Checks of any registries or records maintained by the tribe (rather than a state) are encouraged but not required). Table 2.3 Criminal Background Checks Components Current State of Residence State Where Lived Within Last Five Years X Fingerprints required X Fingerprints required 4. State sex offender registry or repository X X 5. State child abuse and neglect registry and database X X 1. FBI fingerprint check X 2. National Crime Information Center (NCIC) National Sex Offender Registry (NSOR) X 3. State criminal registry or repository 2.3.1 National National FBI Criminal Fingerprint Search Requirements (98.43(b)(1)); 98.43(a)(1)(i); 98.16(o)). Describe the requirements, policies, and procedures for the search of the national FBI fingerprint check that apply to staff of child care providers eligible to deliver CCDF services funded by the Tribal Lead Agency. 2.3.2 National Crime Information Center (NCIC) National Sex Offender Registry (NSOR) Search Requirements (98.43(b)(2)); 98.43(a)(1)(i); 98.16(o)). This is a name‐based search. This check must be performed by law enforcement. Describe the requirements, policies, and procedures for the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) National Sex Offender Registry (NSDR) that apply to staff of child care providers eligible to deliver CCDF services funded by the Tribal Lead Agency. 2.3.3 State Criminal Registry or Repository Check Requirement (in the state where the individual currently resides and in any other state where the individual has resided in the past 5 years) (98.43 (b)(3)(i)); 98.43(a)(1)(i); 98.16(o)). CCDF Plan Effective Date: October X, 201X Amended Effective Date: [Insert Date as Amended] 37 WORKING DRAFT Plan for: DRAFT FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS (PRA‐1) CHILD CARE & DEVELOPMENT FUND ‐ Plan Period: 10/1/2019 – 9/30/2022 Fingerprints are required for this check in the state where the individual currently resides. It is optional to use fingerprints to conduct this check in other states where the individual has resided within the last five years. This check must be completed in addition to the national FBI fingerprint check (2.3.1 above) to mitigate any gaps that may exist between the two sources unless the responding state (i.e., the state checking its criminal repository) participates in the National Fingerprint File (NFF) program. A separate check of the state criminal repository is not necessary if the state participates in NFF and an FBI fingerprint check is conducted. A list of states participating in NFF can be found at: https://www.fbi.gov/services/cjis/compactcouncil/interstate‐identification‐index‐iii‐national‐ fingerprint‐file‐nff. Describe the requirements, policies, and procedures for the state criminal registry or repository check that apply to staff of child care providers eligible to deliver CCDF services funded by the Tribal Lead Agency. 2.3.4 State Sex Offender Registry or Repository Check Requirement (in the state where the individual currently resides and in any other State where the individual has resided in the past 5 years) (98.43 (b)(3)(i)); 98.43(a)(1)(i); 98.16(o)). It is optional to use fingerprints to conduct this check. This check must be completed in addition to the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) National Sex Offender Registry (NSOR) above) to mitigate any gaps that may exist between the two sources. Describe the requirements, policies, and procedures for the state sex offender registry or repository check that apply to staff of child care providers eligible to deliver CCDF services funded by the Tribal Lead Agency. 2.3.5 State Child Abuse and Neglect Registry Check Requirements (in the state where the individual currently resides and in any other State where the individual has resided in the past 5 years) (98.43 (b)(3)(iii); 98.43(a)(1)(i); 98.16(o)). This is a name‐based search. Describe the requirements, policies, and procedures for the state child abuse and neglect registry check that apply to staff of child care providers eligible to deliver CCDF services funded by the Tribal Lead Agency. 2.3.6 Provisional Hire Requirements The CCDF Final Rule states a child care provider must submit a request to the appropriate Tribal agency for a criminal background check for each child care staff member, including prospective CCDF Plan Effective Date: October X, 201X Amended Effective Date: [Insert Date as Amended] 38 WORKING DRAFT Plan for: DRAFT FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS (PRA‐1) CHILD CARE & DEVELOPMENT FUND ‐ Plan Period: 10/1/2019 – 9/30/2022 provider/staff members, prior to the date an individual becomes a child care provider/staff member and at least once every 5 years thereafter (98.43(d)(1)(2)). A prospective child care provider/staff member may not begin work until one of the following results have been returned as satisfactory either: • The FBI fingerprint check; or • The search of the state criminal registry or repository using fingerprints in the state where the provider/staff member resides. The child care provider/staff member must be supervised at all times pending completion of all the background check components (98.43(d)(4)). Describe the Tribal Lead Agency requirements related to the provisional hire of prospective child care provider/staff members. 2.3.7 Appeals. The Tribal Lead Agency must have a process for a child care provider/staff member to appeal the results of his or her background check to challenge the accuracy or completeness of the criminal background report, as detailed in 98.43(e)(3). Describe how the Tribal Lead Agency provides opportunities for applicants to appeal the results of background checks: 2.3.8 Fees. The Tribal Lead Agency may not charge fees that exceed the actual costs of processing applications and administering a criminal background check (98.43(f)). Describe how the Tribal Lead Agency ensures that fees charged for completing the background checks do not exceed the actual cost of processing and administration. Tribal Lead Agencies can report that no fees are charged if applicable (98.43(f)): 2.3.9 Relatives. Federal rules do not require background checks for relative providers who receive CCDF; therefore, tribes have the flexibility to decide which background check requirements relative providers must meet, as defined by CCDF in 98.2 under eligible child care provider. This exception only applies if the individual cares only for relative children. Does the Tribal Lead Agency exempt relatives from background checks? Yes, relatives are exempt from all background check requirements. X Yes, relatives are exempt from some background check requirements. If the Tribal Lead Agency exempts relatives from some background check requirements, describe which background check requirements do not apply to relative providers: Fingerprints CCDF Plan Effective Date: October X, 201X Amended Effective Date: [Insert Date as Amended] 39 WORKING DRAFT Plan for: DRAFT FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS (PRA‐1) CHILD CARE & DEVELOPMENT FUND ‐ Plan Period: 10/1/2019 – 9/30/2022 No, relatives are not exempt from background check requirements. 2.3.10 Alternative Approach for Background Checks. Tribal Lead Agencies are subject to the background check requirements for CCDF providers. However, they may propose and provide a justification for an alternative approach for background checks. The alternative approach is subject to ACF approval, and ACF will not approve approaches with blanket exemptions or waivers that bypass the intent of protecting children’s safety. Does the tribe have an alternative approach for background checks? Yes, the tribe has an alternative approach for background checks. Describe which background check requirement(s) at 45 CFR 98.43 that the tribe does not meet, and the reason: Describe the tribe’s alternative approach, including how it is appropriately comprehensive and protects the health and safety of children: No, the tribe does not have an alternative approach for background checks; it meets all background check requirements at 45 CFR 98.43. 2.4 Disaster Preparedness and Response Plan Tribal Lead Agencies are required to establish a Child Care Disaster Plan for the Tribal CCDF Service Area (658E(c)(2)(U)). They must describe how they will address the needs of children— including the need for safe child care, before, during, and after a state of emergency declared by the Governor or Tribal Chairperson or a major disaster or emergency (as defined by Section 102 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C. 5122) 2.4.1 Describe how the Child Care Disaster Plan was developed in collaboration with the appropriate stakeholders, including other programs within the Tribal Lead Agency’s governance structure: 2.4.2 Describe how the Child Care Disaster Plan includes the Tribal Lead Agency’s guidelines for the continuation of child care subsidies and child care services, which may include the provision of emergency and temporary child care services during a disaster and temporary operating standards for child care after a disaster: 2.4.3 Describe Tribal Lead Agency procedures for the coordination of post‐disaster recovery of child care services: 2.4.4 Describe how the Tribal Lead Agency ensures that providers who receive CCDF funds have the following procedures in place: evacuation; relocation; shelter‐in‐place; lockdown; communications with and reunification of families; continuity of operations; and accommodations for infants and toddlers, children with disabilities, and children with chronic medical conditions: CCDF Plan Effective Date: October X, 201X Amended Effective Date: [Insert Date as Amended] 40 WORKING DRAFT Plan for: DRAFT FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS (PRA‐1) CHILD CARE & DEVELOPMENT FUND ‐ Plan Period: 10/1/2019 – 9/30/2022 2.4.5 Describe how the Tribal Lead Agency ensures that providers who receive CCDF funds have the following procedures in place for child care staff and volunteers – emergency preparedness training and practice drills as required in 98.41(a)(1)(vii): Every 12 months Other. Describe: 3 Supporting Continuous Quality Improvement Tribal Lead Agencies are required to reserve and use a portion of their Child Care and Development Fund program expenditures for activities designed to improve the quality of child care services and to increase parental options and access to high‐quality child care (98.53). These activities can benefit infants and toddlers through school age populations. Tribal Lead Agencies are required to report on these quality improvement investments through CCDF in two ways: • In the Plan, Tribal Lead Agencies will describe the types of activities supported by quality investments over the 3‐year period and will provide a description of their strategies to increase the supply and improve the quality of child care services for children in underserved areas, infants and toddlers, children with disabilities, and children who receive care during nontraditional hours (658G(b); 98.16(j); 98.53). • ACF will collect annual data on how much CCDF funding is spent on quality activities using the expenditure report (ACF‐700 and ACF‐696T). These reports will be used to determine compliance with the required quality and infant and toddler spending requirements (658G(d)(1); 98.53(f)). Tribal Lead Agencies must fund quality efforts in at least one of the following 10 activities (98.53(a)): 1. Supporting the training and professional development of the child care workforce 2. Improving on the development or implementation of early learning and developmental guidelines 3. Developing, implementing, or enhancing a tiered quality rating and improvement system for child care providers and services 4. Improving the supply and quality of child care programs and services for infants and toddlers 5. Establishing or expanding a statewide system of child care resource and referral services 6. Supporting compliance with requirements for licensing, inspection, monitoring, training, and health and safety (as described in section 2) CCDF Plan Effective Date: October X, 201X Amended Effective Date: [Insert Date as Amended] 41 WORKING DRAFT Plan for: DRAFT FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS (PRA‐1) CHILD CARE & DEVELOPMENT FUND ‐ Plan Period: 10/1/2019 – 9/30/2022 7. Evaluating the quality of child care programs, including evaluating how programs positively impact children 8. Supporting providers in the voluntary pursuit of accreditation 9. Supporting the development or adoption of high‐quality program standards related to health, mental health, nutrition, physical activity, and physical development 10. Carrying out other activities determined by the Tribal Lead Agency to improve the quality of child care services provided, and for which measurement of preparedness, child safety, child well‐being, or entry to kindergarten is possible. This can include activities and services related to tribal language and culture and consumer education activities. 3.1 Quality Improvement Goals and Activities In completing this section, the Tribal Lead Agency should only describe activities funded either entirely, or in part, with tribal CCDF dollars. All Tribal Lead Agencies must spend a percentage of their total CCDF expenditures on quality improvement activities. Quality Spending FY 2020 FY 2021 FY2022 Quality Set‐Aside (All) 8% 8% 9% Infant‐Toddler (Medium and Large) 3% 3% 3% Total Quality (Small) 8% 8% 9% Total Quality (Medium and Large) 11% 11% 12% Identify the quality improvement goals and corresponding activities in which the Tribal Lead Agency is investing in this plan cycle. Check the specific quality activities in a‐k that have been identified as priorities by the Tribal Lead Agency. Under each quality activity category, please select all the specific topics that apply (As a reminder, providers receiving only CCDF quality funds must still meet all the health and safety requirements, as described in Section 2) (98.41; 98.83): a. X Supporting the training and professional development of the child care workforce. Please check the following applicable topics: X Prevention and control of X Prevention of sudden infant death infectious diseases (including immunizations) syndrome and use of safe sleeping practices X Administration of medication, X Prevention of and response to consistent with standards for parental consent emergencies due to food and allergic reactions CCDF Plan Effective Date: October X, 201X Amended Effective Date: [Insert Date as Amended] 42 WORKING DRAFT Plan for: DRAFT FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS (PRA‐1) CHILD CARE & DEVELOPMENT FUND ‐ Plan Period: 10/1/2019 – 9/30/2022 X Prevention of shaken baby X Handling and storage of syndrome and abusive head trauma hazardous materials and the appropriate disposal of bio contaminants X Emergency preparedness and X Building and physical premises safety, including identification of response planning for emergencies and protection from hazards that resulting from a natural disaster or a can cause bodily injury such as human caused event (such as violence at electrical hazards, bodies of water, a child care facility) and vehicular traffic CCDF Plan Effective Date: October X, 201X Amended Effective Date: [Insert Date as Amended] 43 WORKING DRAFT Plan for: DRAFT FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS (PRA‐1) CHILD CARE & DEVELOPMENT FUND ‐ Plan Period: 10/1/2019 – 9/30/2022 X Precautions in transporting First aid and cardiopulmonary children (if applicable) resuscitation (CPR) certification Family engagement Access to physical activity X Nutrition Promotion of child development X Language and literacy Caring for children with special health or developmental needs Fiscal management Administration and program management Curriculum development and Child care as a business instruction Implementing developmentally Other topic(s): appropriate, culturally and linguistically responsive instruction b. Supporting the career development pathways of the child care workforce. Please indicate the option(s) that apply: X Credit towards required training X Certificate hours Credential Degree X Other topic(s): CDA, TEACH scholarships Optional: Describe any of the activities checked above: c. Developing, maintaining, or implementing early learning and developmental guidelines describing what children should know and be able to do at each stage of their development (658E(c)(2)(T); 658G(b)(2)). Early Learning Guidelines are intended to support teachers, providers and directors to learn what children should know and be able to do at different developmental stages in order to experience school success. Early Learning Guidelines often provide examples of activities that can be used to develop curriculum but are not intended to serve as curriculum. Check all that apply. CCDF Plan Effective Date: October X, 201X Amended Effective Date: [Insert Date as Amended] 44 WORKING DRAFT Plan for: DRAFT FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS (PRA‐1) CHILD CARE & DEVELOPMENT FUND ‐ Plan Period: 10/1/2019 – 9/30/2022 X Supporting use of the State’s early learning guidelines X Developing your own guidelines or adapting State guidelines to reflect your Tribe’s language and culture X Providing trainings for staff on child development and early learning guidelines X Participating in the development or revision of the State’s Early Learning Guidelines Other. Describe: Optional: Describe any of the activities checked above: d. Developing, implementing, or enhancing a quality rating and improvement system (QRIS) for child care providers and services (658G(b)(3)). A QRIS is a systemic approach to assess, improve, and communicate the level of quality in early and school‐age care and education programs. Similar to rating systems for restaurants and hotels, QRIS award quality ratings to early and school‐age care and education programs that meet a set of defined program standards. By participating in their state or tribe’s QRIS, early and school‐age care providers embark on a path of continuous quality improvement. Even providers that have met the standards of the lowest QRIS levels have achieved a level of quality that is beyond the minimum requirements to operate. Please indicate which options are applicable: X Participating in a state QRIS Implementing a tribal QRIS or similar rating system X Developing a tribal QRIS or similar rating system Collaborating with other tribes to implement a QRIS or similar rating system X Other. Describe: Parent Aware e. Establishing or expanding a system of child care resource and referral (CCR&R) services, assisting parents with finding and choosing a child care provider; collecting and analyzing child care provider supply and demand data; and providing training and support to providers (658E(c)(3)(B)(iii); 658G(b)(5)). Check all that apply. X Using a state CCR&R Operating a CCR&R X Partnering with other tribes to offer CCR&R services X Incorporating CCR&R services into program services CCDF Plan Effective Date: October X, 201X Amended Effective Date: [Insert Date as Amended] 45 WORKING DRAFT Plan for: DRAFT FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS (PRA‐1) CHILD CARE & DEVELOPMENT FUND ‐ Plan Period: 10/1/2019 – 9/30/2022 X Other. Describe: MNTRECC Optional: Describe any of the activities checked above: f. X Improving the supply and quality of child care services for infants and toddlers. Please check the following applicable topics: X Offering Nontraditional hours X Coordinating with Early Head Start or Early Head Start‐Child Care Partnerships X Coordinating with home visiting X Providing training and professional development to enhance child care providers’ abilities to provide developmentally appropriate services for infants and toddler X Providing coaching, mentoring, and/or technical assistance on this age group’s unique needs from statewide or territory‐wide networks of qualified infant‐toddler specialists Coordinating with early intervention specialists who provide services for infants and toddlers with disabilities under Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1431 et seq.) X Developing infant and toddler components within the early learning and developmental guidelines/standards, etc. X Improving the ability of parents to access transparent and easy‐to‐understand consumer information about high‐quality infant and toddler care that includes information on infant and toddler language, social‐emotional, and both early literacy and numeracy cognitive development X Language and culture revitalization for infants and toddlers Other. Describe: Optional: Describe any of the activities checked above: CCDF Plan Effective Date: October X, 201X Amended Effective Date: [Insert Date as Amended] 46 WORKING DRAFT Plan for: DRAFT FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS (PRA‐1) CHILD CARE & DEVELOPMENT FUND ‐ Plan Period: 10/1/2019 – 9/30/2022 g. X Facilitating compliance for inspections, monitoring, training, health and safety, and with licensing standards. Please check the following applicable topics: X Provide health and safety materials/equipment X Grants/mini‐grants for health and safety equipment/materials X Classroom materials and resources X Financial assistance in meeting licensing requirements X Conduct monitoring visits of child care providers Other. Describe: Optional: Describe any of the activities checked above: h. X Evaluating the quality of child care programs, including how programs positively impact children. Please check the following applicable topics: X Purchasing quality assessment tools X Implementing surveys to collect stakeholder input X Contracting with outside evaluator to assess child care program quality X Conducting internal training so that staff members are able to conduct quality evaluations (i.e., using an environmental rating scale) Other. Describe: Optional: Describe any of the activities checked above: i. X Supporting providers in the voluntary pursuit of accreditation. Please check the following applicable topics: Tribes can use quality funds to support child care providers in the voluntary pursuit of accreditation by a national accrediting body with demonstrated, valid and reliable program standards of high quality. Accreditation is one way to differentiate the quality of child care providers. In order to gain accreditation, child care centers and family child care homes must meet certain quality standards outlined by accrediting organizations. Using accreditation guidelines as a quality measure Funding any aspect of national accreditation (for example, accreditation from the CCDF Plan Effective Date: October X, 201X Amended Effective Date: [Insert Date as Amended] 47 WORKING DRAFT Plan for: DRAFT FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS (PRA‐1) CHILD CARE & DEVELOPMENT FUND ‐ Plan Period: 10/1/2019 – 9/30/2022 National Association for the Education of Young Children or the National Association for Family Child Care, or accreditation developed by a Tribal Association) Paying annual accreditation fees X Other. Describe: CDA, TEACH for providers Optional: Describe any of the activities checked above: j. Supporting Tribal or local efforts to adopt high‐quality program standards relating to health, mental health, nutrition, physical activity, and physical development. Please check the following applicable topics: Using Head Start Performance Standards Using Stepping Stones to Caring for Our Children Using Caring for Our Children Basics Using Minimum Health and Safety Standards: A Guide for American Indian and Alaska Native Grantees Using a combination of the above listed standards. Describe: Other. Describe: Optional: Describe any of the activities checked above: k. Other activities determined by the Tribal Lead Agency to improve the quality of child care services and which measurement of outcomes is possible related to improved provider preparedness, child safety, child well‐being, or kindergarten entry. Please check the following applicable topics: 1. Culturally Relevant Activities Incorporating tribal language into child care settings Modifying curriculum to reflect tribal culture Serving traditional Native foods in child care programs Offering culturally‐based training opportunities for parents and providers Providing information and training to non‐Native providers about working with Native children and families Partnering with language and culture departments to build curricula Implementing immersion classrooms or language nests Training teachers to learn how to implement language and culture in the classroom CCDF Plan Effective Date: October X, 201X Amended Effective Date: [Insert Date as Amended] 48 WORKING DRAFT Plan for: DRAFT FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS (PRA‐1) CHILD CARE & DEVELOPMENT FUND ‐ Plan Period: 10/1/2019 – 9/30/2022 Other. Describe: Optional: Describe any of the activities checked above: 2. Consumer Education for Parents and Providers Written materials, including newsletters, brochures, checklists, etc., on child care topics Local/tribal media Social media, such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram Counseling from Resource and Referral Agencies, including information about other early childhood and social/human services programs for which families and providers may also qualify Internet, including electronic media, publications, and webcasts on child care topics Postings on community bulletin boards Other. Describe: Optional: Describe any of the activities checked above: 3. 3.1.2 Describe any other quality activities, besides the activities checked above, that the Tribal Lead Agency intends to implement during this Plan period: How did the Tribal Lead Agency identify the goals and activities to improve quality as described in 3.1? For example, did the Tribal Lead Agency conduct provider surveys or assessments that identified the need for quality improvements? Surveys to parents, providers, and tribal leadership. Describe: Community assessments. Describe: Self‐assessments. Describe: Parent, Family, Community or Tribal meetings. Describe: Other. Describe: 3.1.3 How does the Tribal Lead Agency evaluate progress toward meeting the overall child care quality improvement goals and activities described in 3.1 (658G(d)(3))? CCDF Plan Effective Date: October X, 201X Amended Effective Date: [Insert Date as Amended] 49 WORKING DRAFT Plan for: DRAFT FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS (PRA‐1) CHILD CARE & DEVELOPMENT FUND ‐ Plan Period: 10/1/2019 – 9/30/2022 Follow‐up surveys to parents, providers, and tribal leadership. Describe: Ongoing community assessments. Describe: Self‐assessments/program evaluation. Describe: Parent, Family, Community or Tribal meeting sign in sheets/attendance logs. Describe: Other. Describe: 3.2 Supporting Training and Professional Development of the Child Care Workforce with CCDF Quality Funds The Tribal Lead Agency must develop training and professional development requirements, including pre‐service or orientation training (to be completed within three months) and ongoing requirements designed to enable child care providers to promote the social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development of children and to improve the knowledge and skills of the child care workforce. Such requirements shall be applicable to child care providers caring for children receiving CCDF funds across the entire age span, from birth through age 12 (658E(c)(2)(G)). Ongoing training and professional development should be accessible and appropriate to the setting and age of the children served (98.44(b)(2)). 3.2.1 Identify how the Tribal Lead Agency’s training and professional development requirements are appropriate, to the extent practicable, for child care providers who care for: Infants and toddlers. Describe: Preschoolers. Describe: School‐age children. Describe: Children who are Indigenous‐language learners. Describe: Children with developmental delays and disabilities. Describe: a. Do Tribal CCDF providers participate in the state’s training and professional development system? For example, Tribal CCDF providers might participate in trainings offered by the local child care resource and referral agencies or state‐funded training organizations. X Yes. Describe: Lead Agency collaborates with local agencies for training opportunities. No. Check all that apply. The Tribal Lead Agency does not have sufficient information about the state’s training and professional development opportunities to share with Tribal CCDF providers. CCDF Plan Effective Date: October X, 201X Amended Effective Date: [Insert Date as Amended] 50 WORKING DRAFT Plan for: DRAFT FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS (PRA‐1) CHILD CARE & DEVELOPMENT FUND ‐ Plan Period: 10/1/2019 – 9/30/2022 The state’s training and professional development opportunities are not appropriate for providers caring for Native children. The state’s training and professional development opportunities are not accessible to Tribal CCDF providers. The state’s training and professional development opportunities are not affordable for Tribal CCDF providers. Other. Describe: Unknown b. Has the Tribal Lead Agency been contacted by the state for input on how to make the state’s trainings and professional development opportunities more culturally relevant for Native American children? X Yes. Describe: Child Care Aware No 3.3 3.3.1 Building the Supply of High‐Quality Care Describe the strategies being implemented by the Tribal Lead Agency to increase the supply and improve the quality of child care services for the following groups of children. a. Children in underserved areas. Describe: b. Infants and toddlers. Describe: c. Children with disabilities. Describe: d. Children who receive care during nontraditional hours. Describe: 3.4 3.4.1 Funding for Quality Activities Tribal Lead Agencies may leverage other funds to support their quality improvement goals and activities. Other funding sources might include tribal funds, state funds, foundation funds, publicprivate partnerships, etc. Are all the activities that are checked or described in this section funded solely with Tribal CCDF dollars? X Yes No. List which activities are funded with other sources and indicate the source of funds used (specific funding amounts are not required): CCDF Plan Effective Date: October X, 201X Amended Effective Date: [Insert Date as Amended] 51 WORKING DRAFT Plan for: DRAFT FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS (PRA‐1) CHILD CARE & DEVELOPMENT FUND ‐ Plan Period: 10/1/2019 – 9/30/2022 4 Small Allocation Tribes Only – Direct Services The Final Rule exempts Tribes receiving small allocation (less than $250,000) from the majority of the CCDF requirements to allow more flexibility in how they spend their CCDF funds and to focus these funds on health and s [Text truncated at 120,000 characters. The full text is on the page linked above.] --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/tribal%3Aminn_chippewa_white_earth%3Ac6483d26fd92fa3b. Public record. Not legal advice.