Copyright © 2006 NLThomas
All Rights Reserved

TAHLEQUAH, OKLAHOMA - The Cherokee Nation Early Childhood Unit is gearing up for the Head Start and Early Head Start 2006-07 school year, with applications now being accepted for children 0-5 years for pre-enrollment.

Head Start and Early Head Start are comprehensive development programs. Children entering the three- and four-year programs must turn three by September 1 of the current academic year.

Head Start and Early Head Start implement American Indian heritage and Cherokee culture and language and provide services in education, physical fitness, medical and dental, health, nutrition and social development, with a special emphasis on children with special needs, including significant disabilities.

Parents who are full- and part-time students are encouraged to submit applications for children in the specified age ranges. Priority consideration is given to those applications that are under income based on the 2006 Poverty Guidelines.

Copies of the following documents must be submitted with the application before it will be considered complete: a Certificate of Degree of Indian Blood (CDIB) card; a Social Security card (optional); an immunization record; a state-certified birth certificate; and current verification of income, which can be check stubs that are no more than 30 days old, tax records, W-2 statement from an employer or a TANF statement. Full- and part-time students must submit their semester class schedules.

ECU does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, sex or special needs.

Applications may be picked up at the ECU office in Tahlequah from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, or call the office at (918) 458-4393 or toll-free at 1-888- 458-4393 to request that an application be mailed to you. If you need to mail an application to the office, the address is P.O. Box 948, Tahlequah, Oklahoma 74465.

For more information, contact Robin Allen or Linda Hall, phone: 918-458-4393.

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