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TAHLEQUAH, OKLAHOMA - The Cherokee Nation is now accepting applications for enrollment in Head Start and Early Head Start programs for children ages six weeks to five years old.

"Head Start and Early Head Start are comprehensive development programs," said Norma Harvey, public education coordinator for the Cherokee Nation.

The Cherokee Nation Head Start and Early Head Start programs implement American Indian heritage, Cherokee culture and language, and provide developmental services in the areas of education, physical fitness, medical and dental health and nutrition and social development. Head Start and Early Head Start programs place a special emphasis on services for children with special needs and significant disabilities. Children with special needs will be given priority for acceptance and are encouraged to apply, despite the significance of their disability.

Parents are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. If a Cherokee Nation Head Start or Early Head Start center is full, the child will be placed on a waiting list and contacted once an opening is available.

Copies of the following documents must be submitted with the application before it will be considered complete: a Certificate Degree of Indian Blood (CDIB) card; a social security card (if available); an immunization record; a state certified birth certificate; and verification of income, which includes check stubs, tax records, W-2 statements from employer, or a TANF statement.

Applications may be obtained from any Cherokee Nation Head Start or Early Head Start center. Location of centers and phone numbers are:

In Craig County
Big Cabin Head Start and Early Head Start,
(918) 783-5130, and
White Oak, 256-4484.

In Adair County
Maryetta Public School (918) 696-3751,
and Cherry Tree (918) 696-2669.

In Cherokee County,
Lowrey (918) 458-6183,
Lost City Early Head Start (918) 772-2940,
Lost City Public School (918) 772-2305,
Shady Grove (918) 772-3505
Shady Grove Public School (918) 772-2511.

In Tulsa County
Sperry Public School (918) 288-7234.

In Nowata County
Wauhillau (918) 273-0623.

In Mayes County
Sequoyah and Tsuni-Sti at Salina (918) 434-5440,
Salina Public School (918) 434-6076
Pryor (918) 825-7987.

In Delaware County
Jay (918) 253-4002
Kenwood (918) 434-5106
Moseley (918) 422-5969.

In Wagoner County
Okay (918) 682-7961, ext. 235.

In Muskogee County
Webbers Falls (918) 464-2959

In Sequoyah County
Brushy Public School (918) 775-0399.

To request an application by mail, call 918-458-4393 or 1-888-458-4393.

"If you already have an application on file and your address or phone number has changed, please contact the appropriate office to update your application," Harvey said.

Related Cherokee Nation contact information:

Mike Miller, Cherokee Nation Director of Communications Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2210) Fax: 918-458-5580 E-mail: Communications@cherokee.org Larry Daugherty, Advertising Manager Cherokee Nation - Public Affairs Phone 918-456-0671 (Ex.2324) E-mail: ldaugherty@cherokee.org

Steven Swogger, Agriculture Liaison Natural Resources Department Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2546) FAX: 918-458-7673 E-mail: sswogger@cherokee.org Bradley D. Peak, Cherokee Nation Natural Resources Specialist Phone: 918-456-0671 (ex.2843) E-mail: bpeak@cherokee.org