2024 SRCD Federal Policy Fellow Spotlight: Carly Champagne, Ph.D.

In a few sentences, what is your role at the agency you work for?

I work in the Administration for Children and Families in the Office of Child Care. My work cuts across the Program Operations and Policy Divisions. My current work focuses on our Tribal Request for Information, upcoming Final Rule, and Racial Equity Impact Assessment.

What has been the most memorable project you have completed during your time at the agency?

The work is ongoing, but the comment period recently closed for our Tribal Request for Information, which has been an incredible experience getting to present at and facilitate listening sessions and Tribal consultations to hear feedback from Tribal leaders and child care program directors about how we can improve the Tribal CCDF program.

What has been your favorite aspect of SRCD’s fellowship? 

In addition to this fellowship having a game changing impact on my career, I’ve met some really incredible people - colleagues I continue to learn from and hope to stay friends with after the fellowship!

What is something you learned in the last month outside of your field? 

I’ve been learning a lot recently about the unique context of Tribal Nations in Alaska, which is very different from federal Tribal policy in the lower 48. This is primarily due to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act of 1971 (ANCSA), which departed significantly from the reservation system and emphasized Alaska Native corporate ownership. Through ANCSA, Alaska Native corporations hold title to roughly 44 million acres of land held in private corporate ownership. The Native regional corporations manage the land for the benefit of the over 140,000 Alaska Native shareholders. Source

Why should someone else apply for this fellowship?

The experiences in this fellowship will change how you see your field, and especially how you strategize on solutions, even if you don’t want to work in policy long term! I wish policy experiences were embedded more in graduate training across disciplines because they transform your perspective.

What is your favorite place you have traveled to?

New Orleans!