The Future Is Ours: Advancing Tribal Early Childhood through CCDF (at AFN)
Thu, Oct 16
|Anchorage
Join us at the 2025 Annual Alaska Federation of Natives Convention in Anchorage Alaska to talk about how CCDF is a valuable tool for a brighter future.
Time & Location
Oct 16, 2025, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM AKDT
Anchorage, 600 W 7th Ave, Anchorage, AK 99501, USA
About the Event
Join us at the 2025 Annual Alaska Federation of Natives Convention at the Dena'ina Civic & Convention Center in Anchorage, AK. The event will be held on October 16-18, 2025 and is free for the public.
This session will be on Thursday, October 16, at 10:00 am in Room 2.
Overview:
This session offers Tribal leaders and advocates a strategic look at the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF)—one of the most powerful tools available for strengthening Tribal communities through culturally grounded early childhood systems. More than a funding stream, CCDF represents sovereignty in action, allowing Tribes to design and lead programs that reflect their values, support working families, and prepare young children to thrive.
Participants will gain a clear understanding of how CCDF works in Tribal Nations, how it connects with programs like Head Start, home visiting, and early intervention, and how it can be leveraged to create seamless, community-driven systems of care and learning. Even in a shifting policy environment, CCDF remains stable, flexible, and expanding—presenting new opportunities for Tribes to stand strong in service to their youngest citizens.
This session will also offer actionable guidance for advocacy—whether engaging with federal agencies or aligning investments at the local level. Attendees will leave with a renewed vision for what’s possible through CCDF, deeper insight into NICCA’s role in supporting Tribal programs, and key messages to elevate in policy and funding conversations. Together, we stand united for our children—and the future is ours to shape.
NICCA will be hosting three sessions at the 2025 Annual Alaska Federation of Natives Convention:
October 16 at 10:00 am: The Future Is Ours: Advancing Tribal Early Childhood through CCDF (this session)
October 17 at 10:00 am: Weaving Native Cultures into Curriculum: Standing Strong in Tradition, Learning, and Identity (Learn more)
October 18 at 1:30 pm: The Future Is Ours: Advancing Tribal Early Childhood through CCDF (Learn more)
No registration is necessary for the Convention or our sessions. However, if you want to make sure to get the resources we share, RSVP with us!
Learn more about all the sessions NICCA will be hosting at AFN here.