FNQLHSSC - Early Childhood - Fields of intervention

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First Nations Head Start (FNHS)

DESCRIPTION

The goal of the First Nations Head Start On-Reserve Program is to support the community programs that are conceived and implemented at the local level that foster a sense of self-esteem and desire to learn among preschool-aged First Nations children while providing them with the means to fully develop in a successful manner.

Six guiding principles orient the delivery of the program: 1) conception and implementation at the local level, 2) community-based programs, 3) holistic nature, 4) respect for diversity, 5) focus on the healthy development of children, families and communities and 6) partnership and collaboration.

The First Nations Head Start On-Reserve Program has nine (9) objectives:

Support the growth and development of all First Nations children on the spiritual, emotional, intellectual and physical levels;
Encourage among First Nations children a desire for life-long learning;
Recognize that parents and guardians are the primary teachers and caregivers for their children and support them in these roles;
Encourage the parents and guardians to play a major role in the planning, development, implementation and evaluation of the community programs;
Recognize and support the role of the extended family in teaching and caring for the children;
Involve the entire First Nations community in the community-based programs from the very first planning steps right through to the evaluations – including development and implementation;
Ensure that the community-based programs establish linkages with the other service providers and that these providers support them;
Ensure that the resources are used in the best possible way with the goal of producing positive and measurable outcomes for the First Nations children, their parents or guardians, their families and their communities;
Address the various needs of all children.

Each project is intended for preschool-aged children and includes the six following elements: