This two year project is funded through a subcontract with the University of Colorado at Denver and Health and Sciences Center. After extensive consultation, the Center for Indian Education and the Gila River Head Start Program and its Policy Committee identified two primary research needs at Gila River Head Start:
- processes of developing cultural curriculum and
- paths to professional development for current and future Head Start teachers.
Data collection will include focus groups and surveys (verbal and written) of O'odham and Maricopa elders, Head Start parents, Tribal governance and administration and other community members, as well as in-depth interviews with elders, current and former Head Start staff, high school students, community college and university students, and cultural committee members.
