Increasing Flexibility for Tribes in Child Care and Development Fund Eligibility

Mathematica provided recommendations to the Administration for Children and Families’ (ACF) Office of Child Care (OCC) for providing Tribal communities operating Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) programs more flexibility when determining family eligibility.

“For Tribal Lead Agencies implementing early childhood services supported by CCDF and other funding streams such as Head Start, the ability to deliver and tailor services to meet the needs of families is a primary driver of child care quality,” wrote Mathematica. “Promoting flexible eligibility standards for CCDF ensures that Tribal Lead Agencies can tailor their programs to meet their communities’ unique needs.”

Mathematica submitted its recommendations in response to OCC’s proposed rule to allow all Tribal Nations and Tribal Organizations operating CCDF programs, at their discretion, to establish and use eligibility criteria regardless of family income. The CCDF program provides funding to states, territories, and Tribes to help families with low incomes pay for child care so they can work or attend a training or school.

Based on its experience working with Tribal Lead Agencies and early childhood programs, Mathematica recommended the following enhancements to the proposed changes to CCDF eligibility:

• Provide additional training and technical assistance (TTA) to support Tribal Lead Agencies in transitioning to the proposed rulemaking.
• Focus supportive TTA on transitioning program eligibility models, reducing administrative burden, implementing integrated funding streams, and promoting a more seamless service delivery.
• Focus additional TTA on guidance and wise practices for expanding outreach and engagement to newly eligible families.
• Ensure TTA continues to support Tribal Lead Agencies in developing eligibility criteria that align with community-specific needs and cultural values.
• Maintain a consultative approach in future program modifications, ensuring that Tribal voices remain central to policy decisions.