New Branch Chief for American Indian Head Start Programs
"The next generation of American Indian Tribe Leaders is now enrolled in our Head Start programs," Says Helen Maynor Scheirbeck, Ed. D., who was appointed Chief of the American Indian Head Start Programs Branch in May 1995. "We need to make certain that we are providing sensitive, supportive Indian Head Start programs that will prepare children to assume leadership roles."
As one who has a wealth of experience working with American Indian tribes in the the Federal government, in the private sector, and with cultural and economic development organizations, the new Branch Chief knows firsthand the importance of nurturing leadership skills among young Indian children. "Leaders are role models. Leaders teach about culture, about how to relate to the larger society, about how to take advantage of its resources. Strong leaders teach us how to succeed-no matter where we live," she explains.
One of her major goals is to make certain that the Tribal leadership recognizes Head Start's potential for developing leadership skills among both children and their parents. and the Head Start is on the agenda in every activity involving the community. In turn, she believes that Tribal leaders should be a part of the decision -making process with Parent Policy Councils.
In addition to establishing collaborative relationships among Indian Head Start, Tribal child care, and other programs, she is working to build linkages between Indian Head Start and other Federal groups serving Indian children and families-groups such as ACF's such as ACF's Child Care Bureau and ACF's Office of Child Support Enforcement, as well as agencies outside of the Department . She also plans to strengthen relationships and collaborations with other Head Start programs.
Helen states she is particularly eager to link Indian head Start to the academic community: "I'd like to see more Indian professionals-physicians, social workers, accountants and managers, for example-volunteering in Indian Head Start programs. Not only would their expertise be valuable, but they would be wonderful role models for children, parents, and staff."
A research agenda for Indian Head Start is another priority for Helen. And she plans to continue encouraging universities, Federal agencies, and non-profit organizations to offer internships to help Indian students explore a variety of career options.
As Region XI, the American Indian Programs Branch has been designated by ACF as a "flagship" Region, a concept that Helen and her staff are eager to define. "Every Indian Head Start program has the potential for excellence, to provide an environment that makes children feel secure about themselves," she believes. To this end, she and her staff are committed to involving more parents in Indian Head Start programs, reducing staff turnover, making the best qualified consultants and trainers available to provide training and technical assistance, and using monitoring as an effective tool for attaining quality. "I also want to find an effective way of recognizing those Indian Head Start programs that are providing exemplary programs and services," she emphasizes.
A member of the Lumbee Tribe of Indians of North Carolina, Helen and her staff are eager to define. "Every Indian Head Start programs, reducing staff turnover, making the best qualified consultants and trainers available to provide training and technical assistance, and using monitoring as an effective tool for attaining quality. "I also want to find an effective way of recognizing those Indian Head Start programs that are providing exemplary programs and services, " she emphasizes.
A member of the Lumbee Tribe of Indians of North Carolina, Helen has worked with American Indian Tribes and organizations in both the legislative and executive branches of the Federal government. She joined the Head Start Bureau in 1992 where, before assuming her current position, she managed Head Start State Collaboration grants and worked on volunteer and interagency initiatives.
Prior to joining the Head Start Bureau, Helen directed the North Carolina Indian Cultural Center, the Save the Children's American Indian Nations Region, and the Office of Indian Education in the U.S. Office of Education. She also chaired a special task force on Indian education of the U.S. Congress American Indian Policy Review Commission, and served as program director for two major Federal initiatives for children: the National Commission on the International Year of the Child and the White House Conference on Children and Youth.
Helen was a consultant to the Office of Economic Opportunity in the early days of Head Start and later served as a consultant to the Office of Economic Opportunity in the early days of Head Start and later served as a consultant to Head Start around multicultural issues. And, she says, "All my life I've been working for children and families."
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