Support to Acquire Regional Status for the American Indian Programs Branch of the Head Start Bureau, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

WHEREAS, the American Indian Programs Branch of the Head Start Bureau of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) funds over 20,000 American Indian and Alaska Native children, families, and communities through over 150 tribal and American Indian grantees, and

WHEREAS, the American Indian Programs Branch does not currently administer Indian and Alaska Native Head Start Programs as a separate region as many states or groups of states administer their programs, and

WHEREAS, this lack of regional status has adversely affected the American Indian Programs Branch’s decision-making abilities and has had a negative impact upon the quality of services received by Indian Head Start Programs and the children, families, and communities they serve, and

WHEREAS, the Presidential Memorandum for the Heads of Executive Departments and Agencies, dated April 29, 1994, directs each executive department and agency “to design solutions and tailor Federal programs, in appropriate circumstances, to address specific or unique needs of tribal communities.”

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE NATIONAL INDIAN EDUCATION ASSOCIATION will assist those Indian Head Start Associations in their petitions to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Head Start Bureau, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT THE NATIONAL INDIAN EDUCATION ASSOCIATION recognizes the importance of Early Childhood Education and the services Head Start provides to Indian and Alaska Native children, families, and communities by this support.

SUBMITTED BY: Marian D. Holstein (Winnebago-Chippewa)

CERTIFICATION

I do hereby certify that the foregoing resolution was duly considered and passed by the NlEA membership assembled at its annual convention in Nashville, Tennessee, at which a quorum was present during the meeting held October 11-14, 1998.