Lower Sioux Early Head Start and Head Start

Background:

C̣aƞṡayapi Waḳaƞyeża Owayawa Oṭi – Lower Sioux Early Head Start and Head Start was created to meet a need for increased cultural connections and wrap-around services to target families with a need for resources and early child care.

In conducting community surveys and focus groups over the past year, the number one call from the community is for increased cultural connections. Over 75% of families with young children expressed strong interest in a free, culturally-based high-quality early education program.

About:

Early Head Start is a wrap-around evidence-based early learning program for children ages birth to 3 years. The Head Start will provide services to ages 3-5 years. We provide wrap-around services that integrate education, physical health, nutrition, mental health, and family/community engagement. Longitudinal research demonstrates many positive social, educational, and economic benefits for Head Start participants.

Our Mission:

“To raise the next generation of Dakota Language Speakers and to promote school readiness by enhancing the social, emotional and cognitive development of the most at risk children. The GOAL is to provide to children and their families health, educational, nutritional, social and other services that are determined to be necessary based upon the family needs assessments.”