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Kenaitze Indian Tribe

Kahtnuht’ana Dena’ina

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Stabilization Grants to Child Care Providers Available Now

August 31, 2021

The American Rescue Plan Act was created to stabilize the child care market during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. The goal of the ARP Act is to continue access to affordable child care for families, and support child care facilities and employees, so they can continue to serve the community. How grant funds can be spent will be determined by Kenaitze Indian Tribe based on categories outlined in the ARP Act. Eligible providers are able to apply to Kenaitze for an ARP Act sub-grant.

An eligible provider defined by the ARP Act is either:

  • A provider who meets CCDF-eligibility, and all CCDF health and safety requirements, at the date of application submission, or
  • A provider who was licensed, regulated, or registered and met all applicable state/local health and safety requirements at the date of enactment of the ARP Act on March 11, 2021.

Grantees will be required to keep record of expenditures throughout the cycle of the grant. Further information on record requirements will be published once grants are awarded. The Kenaitze Child Care Coordinator will contact providers to inform them of their grant award status and any additional guidelines.

All providers submitting an application are agreeing to meet the terms and conditions of the grant throughout the entire life cycle of the grant. These requirements are listed under certification A, B, and C.

Please complete all sections of the application to the best of your ability. If you need the application translated into another language, please call 907-335-7616.

Applications must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. Alaska Time, Oct. 1, 2021.

Submit your completed application to heschaefer@kenaitze.org .

Download Application

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if I am an eligible provider?
Center-based child care, group home child care, family child care, in-home care, or providers of child care services for compensation that are:

  • Licensed, regulated, or registered under applicable state and local law
  • Meeting local, state, and Child Care and Development Fund health and safety requirements

How do I know if I meet Child Care and Development Fund health and safety requirements?
You are:

  • Currently receiving subsidies from the Kenaitze Child Care and Development Fund Program, or
  • are licensed by the State of Alaska

If you do not meet either of the above requirements, call 907-335-7616 to inquire about the CCDF certification and inspection process.

What if I have never received subsidies from the Tribal CCDF program?
Regardless of participation in the tribal CCDF subsidy system, you are still eligible as long as above eligibility requirements are met.

What if my facility closed due to COVID-19 pandemic?
Providers closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic are still eligible to apply. Self-attestations as to why a provider is unable to offer child care services at the time of submission due to COVID-19 must be included on the application.

If I received money from CARES or CRRSA, am I eligible for the APR Act?
Yes, this is a separate funding stream. Providers must apply for the APR Act to be eligible to receive a sub-grant award.

What if I cannot submit my application electronically?
Please call 907-335-7616 or email heschaefer@kenaitze.org

Does applying mean I am guaranteed a grant?
No, grants will be evaluated and grants will be awarded as funds allow. All providers must apply and meet other eligibility criteria. This is not a lottery system or based on first come, first served.

Will the grants be taxable income?
Any grant funding will need to be reported as income. Providers are encouraged to speak with a tax professional to determine the amount to set aside from other sources for taxes.

Is this funding for reimbursement costs only?
Reimbursement may be approved for expenses accrued Jan. 31, 2020 – March 11, 2021. All other sub-grants will be awarded for on-going expenses.

What if providers cannot spend all the money? When does the money need to be spent by?
Providers need to contact the Child Care Coordinator at 907-335-7616 if they cannot spend any awarded funds.

What documentation will providers need to submit with the application?

  • Expense records – rent/mortgage statements, utility statements, payroll/benefits records
  • A completed W9 if provider is not currently registered for CCDF subsidies from the Kenaitze Indian Tribe

What documentation will providers need to track and submit after awarded a sub-grant?

  • Keep receipts of payments and purchases that you make in the grant term
  • Expense records – Monthly reporting for rent/mortgage statements, utility statements, payroll/benefits records
  • Receipts for any purchases approved for reimbursement
  • Tracking how funds were used and documentation that shows funds from different grant sources were not used to pay for the same things
  • Documentation for coverage of tuition, late fees, or co-pay reimbursements

Are business loans, student loans, or other debits eligible for sub-grant funding?
Rent, mortgage, and utilities payments are eligible. Other loans are not permitted for the use of funds.

What should we do if we are receiving bonuses for staff and an employee leaves?
Please contact the Child Care Coordinator at 907-335-7616.

Will my program receive one payment or multiple payments?
Sub-grants will be awarded monthly as funds allow.

Is this a loan or a funding that needs to be repaid?
Grants do not need to be repaid unless they are spent on ineligible expenses. Providers who do not comply with grant terms and conditions may be required to return funding. All providers receiving funding will need to report this as income. Providers are responsible for tracking how funds were used and documentation that shows funds from different grant sources were not used to pay for the same things.

Certification A:
Follow any licensing agreements, follow the laws of your state, and follow any additional requirements for the tribal CCDF program.

Certification B:
Keep all documents related to employees’ pay and benefits, time card records, if applicable keep record of cause for termination and document the process followed. Maintain consistent levels of benefits and pay throughout the life cycle of the grant.

Certification C:
Keep records of payments you receive for providing child care throughout the period of the child care grant. Document all amounts of tuition forgiveness you provide.

Disclaimer:
Information provided does not constitute legal, accounting, tax, or finance advice.

Filed Under: Stories

Kenaitze Indian Tribe

Locations

Kenaitze Administration • (907) 335-7200
Dena'ina Wellness Center • (907) 335-7500
Early Childhood Center • (907) 335-7260
Yaghanen Youth Programs • (907) 335-7290
Tyotkas Elder Services • (907) 335-7280
Na’ini Family and Social Services • (907) 335-7600
Kenaitze Tribal Court • (907) 335-7219

Directions & Maps

Photos

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Heidi King, NCAC II, CDCS

Recovery Support Manager/Counselor
Heidi has eight years of experience in the chemical dependency field. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology, with a minor in Women’s Studies, from the University of Alaska. She is a nationally accredited Chemical Dependency Clinician, and a state accredited Chemical Dependency Clinical Supervisor.

Heidi has a background in providing residential chemical dependency counseling. She is certified as a Conflict Resolution and Relapse Prevention Trainer with the National Association of Addiction Counselors. She is also a certified Peer Supports Trainer and Supervisor through the Alaska Commission of Behavioral Health Certification.

When she’s not serving un’ina, Heidi teaches yoga as a certified and registered instructor. She also enjoys hiking, fishing, and spending time with her child, spouse, and numerous pets, camping all over Alaska.

Heidi provides chemical dependency counseling services in group settings and individual sessions.

Heidi can personally relate to chemical dependency and is passionate about helping those seeking recovery supports. For Heidi, healing is community, and community is an important part of connection with one’s self. She sees the positive ripple effect that healing can provide throughout the community.

Fridrik Rafn Gudmundsson, MSW, LCSW

Recovery Support Manager
Fridrik has earned his master’s degree in Social Work and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. He studied massage therapy in Iceland, and became fascinated with the mind-body connection. He completed his undergraduate degree in philosophy with a psychology minor.

Fridrik has had the opportunity to live in four countries and to travel to many others. He counts finding and marrying the love of his life and adopting his son among his greatest accomplishments. He is grateful to be able to live in this beautiful and sacred part of the world and to serve the Tribe and un’ina, “those who come to us.”

When he’s not serving un’ina, Fridrik loves spending time with his family, hiking, kayaking, camping, fishing, traveling, and having fun. He enjoys learning, listening to music, and taking time for spiritual practice.

Fridrik provides assessments and individual, family and group psychotherapy at Chuq’eya Qenq’a, Birch Tree House.

For Fridrik, coming to the Kenaitze Indian Tribe felt like coming home. The more he learned about the Tribe and its history, as well as the history of the Alaska Native people, the more he knew he had found a place to be of service.

Teresa A. Ford, MSW, LMSW

Behavioral Health Clinician
Teresa earned her bachelor’s degree in Social Work at Limestone University in South Carolina, and her master’s degree in Social Work from Campbellsville University in Kentucky. Teresa’s experience includes serving homeless and other disadvantaged populations, as well as work in outpatient rehabilitation, hospice, chemical dependency, adult and adolescent counseling, and prevention.

Teresa appreciates the Kenaitze Indian Tribe’s traditional values. She sees them as a driving force in how we treat ourselves and others, and how we serve those in need of help.

When not serving un’ina, “those who come to us,” Teresa spends her time bonding with her family, creating and traveling. She also enjoys learning about Alaska Native culture, exploring new hobbies, and gardening.

Teresa provides individual, family, and group therapy services. Teresa takes a variety of approaches to therapy, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Trauma Focused Therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, Motivational Interviewing, Narrative Therapy, Person-Centered Therapy, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy.

Teresa has always been a helper at heart. Being able to overcome the things she experienced growing up in South Carolina empowered and inspired her to help others navigate through their life journeys.