Pueblo of Laguna Department of Education

Pamphlet #1

Pamphlet #2

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Pamphlet #1

The Division of Early Childhood

The Laguna Division of Early Childhood (DEC) was established by the Department of Education in 19931o provide valuable services to children and families residing within Laguna Pueblo. The Division employs nearly 40 staff members and serves over 200 children each year. The DEC is comprised of three major programs - Early Intervention Project, the Laguna Child Care Center and Laguna Head Start program. The DEC also facilitates a number of community outreach projects.

The Division of Early Childhood sponsors the Laguna Interagency Coordinating Council for Young Children (ICC). The ICC is responsible for implementing the "System of Care" model which is designed to provide services which are child-centered, family-focused, comprehensive, integrated, coordinated, culturally-appropriate, and community based. The ICC proudly sponsors the annual "Celebrating Our Young Children" conference and other culturally -specific events and activities.

Let us put our minds together and see what kind of life we can make for our children —Sitting Bull

Laguna Child Care Center

The Child Care Center began in the Fall of 1994. This center-based program receives funding from the Child Care Development Fund (CCDF) to provide quality educational child care services to infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and before and after school children up to age 13. Staff are trained in Child Development and offer 12-hour daily care to children of parents who are either employed or who are attending educational training programs. Fees for services are based on a sliding fee scale according to family size and income.

Laguna Early Intervention Project

This project offers home-based intervention services to families with children from birth to three years old who may have developmental differences. Services include family needs assessments, screening, identification, referral, coordination of developmental assessments, therapeutic playgroups, parent education and training, consultation, therapy, respite and service coordination.

Laguna Head Start Program

Although the Head Start Program is the oldest program operating on the reservation, it is the newest program to join the Department of Education, Division of Early Childhood. This comprehensive child development program places special emphasis on the following components: Child Development Services, Family Services and Administrative Services. In 1994, the three previous Head Start sites were consolidated into one central location where 123 children between the ages of three and five years old are served each year.

To control things like education...gives the pueblo the opportunity to instill programs that are relevant to the culture..."—Governor Roland E. Johnson

Community Outreach

The Laguna Family Coalition meets monthly and provides support, education, training, and advocacy opportunities to families of children with special needs.

Monthly Baby Basics classes are also sponsored by the Division and designed for new and expectant families. Classes include educational parent training, informative handouts, distribution of baby articles and a "make and take" craft project.

Village-based Child Finds are conducted annually to provide comprehensive screenings in development, nutrition, health, vision, dental and audiology. Children are identified and appropriate referrals are made as a result of these Child Finds.

The Division of Early Childhood also collaborates with the University of New Mexico Center for Development and Disabilities, which includes Dreams Therapy Services, NET New Mexico and Indian Children's Program. Formal Networking is also established with Parents for Behaviorally Different Children, Educating Parents of Indian Children with Special Needs, STEP-HI and other state and national advocacy and service organizations.

Services to the Community

• Service Coordination
• Home based Intervention
• Therapeutic Playgroups
• Transition Services
• Family Support
• Education/Training/Family/Advocacy
• Transportation
• Nutrition
• Screening
• Assessments
• Evaluation
• Respite
• Therapies
• Counseling
• Individual Programs

Pamphlet #2

We believe in the strength and resiliency of all families. We believe by supporting and promoting families, we help to contribute to a strong and healthy community. To this end, the Laguna Division of Early Childhood (DEC) was established in 1993 to provide valuable child and family services to die Pueblo of Laguna. The mission of the Laguna Division of Early Childhood is "to celebrate and support the diversity of families through services which are family-driven, coordinated, integrated, culturally appropriate and comprehensive."

The Division employs nearly 60 staff members and serves over 280 children and their families each year. The DEC is comprised of four major programs-The Early Intervention/Special Services Program, the Laguna Child Care Center, the Preschool Head Start Program, and the Early Head Start Program. Each Program operates independently of one another. However, careful attention is given to full integration, cooperation and collaboration between all DEC programs and outreach services.

Early Intervention/Special Services Program

This nationally accredited program offers comprehensive child and family centered intervention services for children between the ages of birth and five years old. Children with developmental delays, disabilities, or "at risk" conditions (such as prematurity or chronic ear infections) are eligible for services. Families choose from a menu of services including; a family assessment, developmental screenings and assessments, identification, therapies, referral, and therapeutic playgroups. Family members are also offered parent training, support, consultation, respite and service coordination. This program also encompasses the Head Start . disability and mental health components. Funding is provided by the New Mexico Developmental Disabilities Division, Medicaid and the Department of Education.

Preschool Head Start Program

This comprehensive family development program became an integral part of the Laguna community in 1965. Head Start is a nationally recognized program, which is organized and operates with emphasis on the following components: child development services, family services and administrative services. Year-round center-based and home-based options are available for families with children three to five years old. Program coordinators support families in addressing education, health, nutrition, social services and disability outcomes. The Preschool Head Start Program also facilitates an innovative staff development and training program resulting in specific college degrees and certification. Parent involvement is reflected through a variety of volunteers, numerous committees and leadership activities. The Policy Council works in collaboration with the Laguna Board of Education to ensure program compliance and effectiveness.

Early Head Start Program

Research indicates the first three years of life are the most critical to a child's lifelong development. The Early Head Start Program responds by providing important services to families of infants and toddlers and to expectant mothers. Both center-based and home-based options are available year round. The four cornerstones of this program include: child development, family development, community building and staff development. Early Head Start seeks to enhance children's physical, social, emotional, and intellectual development. In addition, families are supported in fulfilling their roles as parents and in reaching self-sufficiency.

Laguna Child Care Center

This center-based program provides quality, comprehensive services to infants, toddlers and preschoolers as well as school-age care for children up to age 12. The program is funded by the Child Care Development fund and operates year round. Child Care staff are trained in child development and provide care to children of parents who are either employed or who are attending educational training programs. Children with special needs or those in protective custody receive priority placement. Fees for services are based on a sliding fee scale according to family size and income. Drop-in services are also available as teacher-child ratios allow. The Laguna Child Care Center provides essential services which allow hill integration of all DEC programs.

Community Outreach

The Laguna Division of Early Childhood (DEC) proudly sponsors a number of community outreach projects. The establishment of the Laguna Interagency Coordinating Council (ICC) for Young Children in 1992, resulted in the development of a "system of care" model. This model ensures that all DEC services are child-centered, family-focused, comprehensive, integrated, coordinated, culturally appropriate, and community-based. The ICC sponsors and supports the annual "Celebrating our Young Children" conference, community calendars, special committees and Child Find.

Child Finds are conducted annually in each of the six villages. Child Find provides screenings in the areas of nutrition, health, vision, hearing, dental and development. Appropriate referrals are made and families receive educational information regarding childcare and parenting.

Baby Basics classes are provided monthly for new and expectant families. Classes include educational parent training, informative handouts, distribution of baby items and a "make and take" craft activity. Transportation and childcare are available.

The Laguna Family Coalition advocates for all children with special needs so that they might be identified early and have access to comprehensive, on-going quality intervention from infancy through adulthood. Monthly meetings provide support, understanding, encouragement, education, training and advocacy opportunities.

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