DHR’s Child Care Services staff met April 28th with a representative from the
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Child Care Bureau and the Poarch Band of Creek Indians to get acquainted and share initiatives in regard to working with young children and their families.
The meeting was prompted by the encouragement of the HHS Child Care Bureau
to increase collaboration with state agencies. Some of the initiatives that will be created include developing collaborative training, having consistent Tribal representation on child care committees, comparing Tribal Plans with Child Care and Development Fund State Plans, and sharing ideas of the State’s computerized subsidy system.
Each agency also presented a brief overview of its functions.
The meeting was attended by DHR Child Care Services Director Debbie Thomas and staff members Dianne Wright, Jeanetta Green, Maria Dacus, and Josie Barker. Judy Collins, Alabama’s Technical Assistance Representative from the National Child Care Information Center (a subsidiary of the Child Care Bureau) also accompanied the child care staff.
Carolyn White, Family Services Executive Director with the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, along with her staff members; Kathy Ledkins, Martha Gookin, Lisa Milliken, Gayle Johnson and Robert Thrower arranged the meeting and a tour of the reservation.
The HHS Child Care Bureau and the Regional IV Administration for Children and Families (ACF) Office are pleased with the collaboration between the Poarch Band of Creek Indians and the Child Care Services Division.