The Seneca-Cayuga Tribe of Oklahoma is the Lead Agency, under the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) in accordance with all applicable federal laws and regulation and provisions of submitted plan. Diana Baker has been designated Child Care and Development Director to implement and administer the plan.
PURPOSE
The purpose of the Child Care Development Program will be to increase the availability, affordability, and quality of child care for eligible members, of any federally recognized Tribes, living within a hundred mile radius (as the crow flies) of Miami, Oklahoma.
SERVICES OF THE PROGRAM INCLUDE:
Child care subsidy to eligible families with a parent/guardian or parents who are working and/or attending a training or educational program.
Child care locator assistance in each county.
Training and technical assistance to child care providers.
Provide public and parent education by providing licensing and regulatory procedures, complaint procedures, and policies and practices of quality child care services.
Monitor all facilities where we sponsor children to ensure the quality of child care being offered and to ensure that all health and safety standards are met.
Special locator and referral services for children with special needs.
Issuance of grants to facilities where we have families receiving assistance from the Child Care & Development Fund Program, to improve the quality of child care and to meet State or Tribal licensing requirements.
PROGRAM PARTICIPATION
An interested person may inquire at the Seneca-Cayuga Tribal Office about the Child Care Subsidy Program. The Tribal Child Care Director or someone on her staff will have will have program information available for the person making the inquiry. The Child Care Director or staff member will inform the client of a designated day for application, or if the Intake Clerk is available they may immediately begin the process. The Intake Clerk/Resource & Referral person, will meet with the person requesting services to determine eligibility by using the following eligibility criteria.
1.
a. A child must be under 13 years of age; or
b. Be under age 18 and be physically or mentally incapable of caring for himself or herself or under court supervision
2.
Reside with a family whose income does not exceed the maximum net income level as stated on the current sliding fee scale for the family size; and
3.
a. Reside with a parent, parents or guardian who are gainfully employed employed or attending a job training or educational program; or
b. Receive, or need to receive, protective services.
4.
a. The child must be a Indian; or
b. Other non-Indian children who reside in the household of an eligible Indian child, with at least one eligible Indian parent or a person in loco parentis will be considered a family unit and will include the non-Indian children.
5.
The child must currently reside within the Lead Agency's service area.
The parent or legal guardian must submit all information required before eligibility can be determined. The original application form will be completed by the Intake Clerk and signed by the parent or legal guardian. Faxed applications will not be accepted. The Intake Clerk will verify the following:
1. PROOF OF AGE
A child must be between the ages of 0 to 13 or to age 18 if determined to be "Special Needs" eligible.
a. State Certified Birth Certificate
b. County Birth Certificate
c. Hospital Birth Records
2. PROOF OF INDIAN
Proof of Membership or eligibility for membership in any federally recognized Tribe. NOTE - Parent or Guardian does not have to be Indian.
a. CDIB Card
b. Tribal Membership Card
c. Parent CDIB, Tribal Membership Card, or Letter from Tribal Enrollment/Registration Office verifying eligibility with child's birth record verifying parental information.
3. INCOME VERIFICATION
(Client is required to submit any income changes)
a. Letter from employer stating number of hours and rate of pay.
b. Pay Stubs.
c. Income Tax Forms (if applicable)
d. Public Assistance Records
e. If applicant is eligible for child care assistance through DHS and they meet our eligibility requirements, we will assist them, according to our sliding fee scale, with their DHS co-payment if funds are available.
f. Award Letters
g. Copies of Public Assistance Checks
h. Notarized statement where there is no official written record (Examples: odd jobs income, self employed, etc.).
Income will be calculated as follows:
Net Income is gross minus taxes and fees that are not optional. If a client is paid weekly, the net weekly income is multiplied by 4.3 to calculate monthly income.
Example: $100 weekly x 4.3 = $430 monthly
If a client is paid bi-weekly, the net bi-weekly income is multiplied by 2.15 to calculate monthly income.
Example: $200 bi-weekly x 2.15 = $430
If a client is paid twice a month, net income is multiplied by 2 to calculate monthly income.
Example: $250 x 2 = $500
If a client is paid once a month, net income is the monthly income received. For self-employed persons must submit a notarized statement verifying days and hours of work quarterly (every 3 months).
If client's work hours and earnings vary (by $100 plus or minus), client will submit a statement reflecting the changes immediately. Federal Income Tax Forms may be requested.
If applicant is approved for our job search program, they are given a job search record form. They must report weekly to the Intake Clerk. Applicant must turn in completed form to be eligible for child care assistance for the following week.
The Intake Clerk will computer income totals on the application and check against the income guideline chart based on family size and income.
4. RESIDENCE
Participants must live within the service area of the Seneca-Cayuga Tribe. A current address must be on the application. Documentation of residence will be required:
a. Current Utility Bills or other official mail
b. Lease
c. Rent Receipt Verifying Name and Address
d. Notarized Statement of Residence
5. CURRENT IMMUNIZATION RECORD
A copy of a current immunization record for each child attending day care.
