This Guide to Market Rate Surveys for CCDF Tribal Entities has presented some major issues related to market rate surveys that are critical for American Indian and Alaska Native CCDF grantees. How grantee personnel respond to the questions asked in the Guide and what decisions are made can seriously affect the CCDF-assisted services provided. The subject of the Market Rate Survey and its application to Tribes is complex. The issues of child count, service areas, use of state or CCR&R data, constructing a reliable survey, and describing the results are key to achieving the best usage of limited funds. The payment rates and sliding fee scales resulting from the Market Rate Survey will determine the services available to tribal families.

Some key points presented throughout this document may be summarized in the following recommendations:

1. Consult the State CCDF agency to see if their Market Rate Survey is applicable to the tribal needs and economy.
2. Since American Indian and Alaska Native children have dual eligibility to use both State and Tribal CCDF funds, collaborate with the State Agency to maximize the use of both funding streams.
3. If the decision is made to incorporate data from outside agencies, be sure the data included child care providers who received payments for services to American Indian or Alaska Native children.
4. Seek help, as needed, from persons trained in survey methodology. Colleges and universities, marketing firms and state agencies may be able to provide some "pro bono" (free) or reduced cost consulting to assist the Tribe.
5. Because the relationship between the market rate survey results, the payment rates and family sliding fee scales is complicated, consider the supply of child care providers and the demands for child care services when setting rates as a result of the survey.

Hopefully, this Guide will provide assistance as Tribes begin the task of addressing the Market Rate Survey requirement by looking at the Market Rate Surveys conducted by the States, conducting their own Market Rate Survey, or revising outdated Tribal surveys.

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