DHRD faces childcare funding shortage

PABLO — In December 2011, the CCBG Program was notified that the Tribes’ Childcare funding from Health and Human Services was going to be cut by almost half (48 percent) of what CSKT received in FY11.

With such drastic cuts to funding, DHRD is not able to continue services at their current level of spending.

DHRD met with the CSKT Tribal Council and proposed some options to continue offering childcare assistance to families.

There was only one option that did not over spend the budget.

DHRD is no longer accepting applications and has stopped taking application in December 2011 and, effective Thursday, May 31, CCBG will be cutting childcare services for everyone in the summer months from June 1 – September 30.

Next fiscal year (October 1) DHRD will propose limited eligibility to insure the program has funds for the entire fiscal year. This year DHRD did not receive notice of the decrease until late December, which is one-quarter into the funding cycle. “This limited our ability to ensure funding throughout the fiscal year,” says DHRD department head Arlene Templer in a prepared press release.

“We understand that this change is going to be very difficult for families, as well as the childcare providers,” added Templer.

However, DHRD is encouraging families to apply to the Nurturing Center in Kalispell to see if they qualify for childcare assistance. Their telephone number is (800) 204-0644 or (406) 756-1414.

If families or providers need anything from your DHRD file for the application process let them know and they can provide it to you. DHRD has alerted the Nurturing Center and encouraged to apply as early as possible since funding is available now. DHRD will continue searching and pursing options for childcare to meet the need.

Please call Renee Pierre 675-2700, ext. 1308 if you have any questions.