Chapter 5: Early Learning and Best Practice in a Native American Head Start Program

Tribal Head Start programs have been the foundation for early education for Native children and families living within tribal service areas for many years. This most definitely has been the case for the Karuk tribe, and our tribal Head Start program has been providing services to the Native community within Karuk ancestral territory since 1978. In 2016, the Karuk Tribal Head Start now has two centers and serves approximately 60 children and their families every year. Since the Karuk tribe is largely situated in rural areas, the services that the Head Start program provides are particularly vital to our communities we serve.