
A Native Early Childhood Development Initiative
The Administration for Native Americans values the importance of early childhood development in promoting the optimal growth, development, and well-being of Native children and families. Through our grant funding and engagement, ANA seeks to enhance nurturing early childhood experiences and healthy development during their critical early years. Healthy development means that children of all abilities can grow up having their social, emotional, and educational needs met.
Our commitment to Native Early Childhood Development is incorporated into our Strategic Plan (PDF):
Goal 3. Become a visible and effective strategic thinker and advisor on Native American policy matters throughout HHS and ACF. ANA will include Native Early Childhood Development (ECD) as a policy priority in 3 ways:
- Outreach to Native Programs. Provide information to internal and external partners, including Native ECD providers and educators, about the value and importance of early childhood development in Native communities, available resources or support services, and the specific early childhood development focused work of ANA funded grants/community partners.
- Native ECD Policy and Capacity Building. Increase ANA’s knowledge of the policies that impact ECD in Native communities, the social and economic value of ECD and language development, and the drivers and detractors of healthy development, as well as the breadth of ACF and HHS services that support Native ECD, with the objective of advocating for ECD investments in Native communities.
- Engage with Internal and External Partners on Native ECD Strategies and Services. Collaborate and strategize with key partners to ensure a coordinated and integrated approach to providing ECD services to Native communities. Key partners include government agencies, non-profit organizations, and community partners throughout Native communities.
The Way Forward Report of the Alyce Spotted Bear & Walter Soboleff Commission on Native Children
Congress directed the Commission on Native Children to conduct a comprehensive study of and make recommendations for improvements to the programs, grants, and supports available for American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian children. The Way Forward Report of the Alyce Spotted Bear & Walter Soboleff Commission on Native Children (PDF) completes Congress’ charge to the Commission. We were honored to be Congress’ stewards in listening to Native communities across the country describe their vision of what will support communities, children, and youth into the future. Building on Native values and strengths, the Commission offers this report with deep respect for the culture and traditions of Native people, acknowledging that Tribes and Tribal organizations have created successful approaches that can and should be scaled and supported to fulfill their potential.
Making Amends: Recommended Strategies and Actions to Improve the Health and Safety of American Indian and Alaska Native Mothers and Infants
The Advisory Committee on Infant and Maternal Mortality (ACIMM) released the “Making Amends: Recommended Strategies and Actions to Improve the Health and Safety of AI/AN Mothers and Infants” report in 2022. The “Making Amends: Recommended Strategies to Improve the Health and Safety of American
Indians and Alaska Native Mothers and Infants” marks the first time that the Secretary of Health and Human Services Advisory Committee on Infant and Maternal Mortality (ACIMM) has made safeguarding and promoting the health and well-being of American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) women, infants, and families a priority. This report offers a strategic set of recommended actions that could be among the many steps the Federal government must take, both to reconcile past actions and step up to the obligations to American Indians and Alaska Natives that it has abrogated since the founding of our nation.
Perspectives of Region XI Head Start Federal, Research, and Program Partners in Carrying out a National Study of American Indian and Alaska Native Head Start Children, Families, and Programs
The American Indian and Alaska Native Head Start Family and Child Experiences Survey (AIAN FACES) 2015 was the first national study of children served by Region XI Head Start programs, which are those operated by federally recognized AIAN tribes. Until 2015, Region XI programs had not been included in national studies of Head Start children’s experiences and development, leaving them without this critical source of data to inform policy and practice as is available to other Head Start regions.Engaged partnership is a common practice in research with AIAN communities, but rarely on a national scale across diverse communities. The study’s success speaks to the success of the unique national partnership between the Region XI Head Start, research, and federal stakeholders who formed the AIAN FACES Workgroup. This first-person account documents the perspective of each group as they undertook this seminal effort and reviews connections with, and lessons learned for, the broader field of community psychology.
Briefs and Webinars Discussing Integrated Language of Service to Children and Families:
- Native Early Childhood Development Webinar Series
- At a Glance: Cultural/Language Elders or Specialists in Children's Region XI Head Start Programs
- At a Glance: Native Language Use in Region XI Head Start Classrooms
- Webinar: Study Progress & Selected Findings from the First National Study of Tribal Head Start Programs
- 4-Part Webinar Series on Native Early Childhood Development 2024