Copyright © 2006 NLThomas
All Rights Reserved

TAHLEQUAH, OKLAHOMA – The Cherokee Nation Child Care Resource Center (CNCRC) was recently featured in the 2005 Oklahoma Child Care & Early Education Portfolio, an official publication of the Oklahoma Child Care Resource & Referral Association.

The CNCRC is a community service organization that provides resource and referral information, works with parents, providers, businesses and community organizations to promote the availability of quality child-care sources in its service regions, which includes all 14 counties within the Cherokee Nation’s tribal jurisdiction. The center serves as a one-stop service center that covers all aspects of quality, affordable child care and provides services to both citizens and noncitizens of the Cherokee Nation.

“We want parents to know that there are lots of quality providers in northeast Oklahoma, but they are not always easy to find. That’s why we like helping parents with this process,” said Bridget Tobey, CNCRC manager.

Specific information and services available from the group include a child-care subsidy, which provides financial assistance to pay part of the cost of child care. The center recruits, trains and offers licensing and monitoring to child-care providers. It also inspects, approves, registers and monitors child-care centers and homes that contract with the Cherokee Nation.

In addition to helping parents find quality caregivers for their children, the center also offers communities and businesses information and counseling on child-care arrangements.

“We want to encourage parents to take plenty of time to look for child care. Waiting until one or two days before you need it may result in not finding the kind of quality care you would like, and it certainly adds stress to you as a parent. That is especially true in rural Oklahoma counties and for children under the age of two,” said Tobey.

The CNCRC is a member agency of the nonprofit Oklahoma Child Care Resource & Referral Association, Inc. The Cherokee Nation is currently the only tribe in the state to be funded with both federal and state money, thus making all state residents eligible to use the center’s programs and facilities.

For more information on the CNCRC and its services, contact Tobey, phone: 918-453-5300, toll-free phone: 1-888-458-6230, or by e-mail.

Related Cherokee Nation contact information:

Mike Miller, Cherokee Nation Director of Communications Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2210) Fax: 918-458-5580 E-mail: Communications@cherokee.org Larry Daugherty, Advertising Manager Cherokee Nation - Public Affairs Phone 918-456-0671 (Ex.2324) E-mail: ldaugherty@cherokee.org

Steven Swogger, Agriculture Liaison Natural Resources Department Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2546) FAX: 918-458-7673 E-mail: sswogger@cherokee.org Bradley D. Peak, Cherokee Nation Natural Resources Specialist Phone: 918-456-0671 (ex.2843) E-mail: bpeak@cherokee.org