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To intensify and
expand its efforts to assist tribal Head Start programs, the Indian Health
Service (IHS) has selected Orietta Cuellar, B.A., as Director of the IHS
Head Start Program. This key
leadership position will coordinate the collaborative efforts of the IHS,
other federal agencies, and the respective tribal governments and their
service programs to meet the health and safety needs of the Indian Head Start
participants.
"This is an important opportunity for
the IHS to address the needs of the youngest of our service
population," said Michel H. Trujillo, M.D., M.P.H., M.S., Director of
the IHS. "A preliminary evaluation of Early Head Start has shown that children in
the program performed significantly better in cognitive, language, and
social-emotional development compared to children not participating in the
program. Providing
Indian children this chance for a better start in life will serve all
generations to come."
The American Indian Program Branch, Agency
for Children and Families, provides grants to Indian tribes that enable the
180 Indian Head Start and Early Head Start programs to provide services to
American Indian and Alaska Native children and families. The nationwide Head
Start programs are located in 27 states and serve over 22,000 students age
4-5 years of age in over 180 tribal programs.
Since the program has expanded to serve children under 6 years of
age, a major increase in the number of Head Start programs is anticipated.
"The
Head Start experience can prepare each child for a lifetime of success by
providing a healthy, safe, and stimulating environment," said Ms.
Cuellar. "The Indian
Health Service Head Start Program will provide training and technical
assistance to tribal Head Start Programs to assist them in accomplishing the
goals of their program."
Ms. Cuellar has over 15 years experience in
working with Head Start. She
has reviewed grants for the Tribal Colleges and Universities Head Start
initiative, served as a liaison for the Training and Technical assistance
services to the Head Start programs, and provided consultative services to
the special Head Start programs needs.
She has also worked in the Children’s Bureau, Department of Health
and Human Services, managing a national crisis nursery and respite care
program. This included oversight of a national resource center and national
training program, and coordination of technical assistance and training for
the Children’s Bureau. Her
expertise includes child welfare services, foster care, adoption assistance,
and independent living.
Ms. Cuellar has a B.A degree in business
administration from Northern State University.
She is a member of the Absentee-Shawnee Tribe and is also a
descendent of the Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Mohicans.
The IHS is the principal federal health care
advocate and provider for approximately 1.5 million American Indians and
Alaska Natives who belong to 556 federally recognized tribes in 35 states.
It is composed of 12 regional offices and a system of 49 hospitals,
221 health centers, 120 health stations, and 160 Alaska village clinics, and
provides support to 34 urban projects.
NOTE TO EDITORS: To receive additional information on this subject,
please contact Dianne Hammack,
IHS Public Affairs, at 301-443-3593. Additional information about the
IHS is available on the IHS website at www.ihs.gov.
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