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Tribal Child Care Technical Assistance Center (TriTAC)
Effective Program Strategies
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| Tribally Operated Center (Tribal Heritage) Pit River Tribe |
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Demographic
Information:
The
Pit River service area is 10,000 square miles ranging from Round Mountain, CA
to Alturas, CA. The small town of Burney is located in Northeastern Shasta County,
in the Northeastern part of the state, nestled among majestic lush trees and
fish filled lakes and creeks. The population is approximately 3,000.
Type of Program:
Munik-Chun Day Care Center is exclusively for the use of Pit River Tribal
members. The program offers child care, preschool and after school programs.
The center's capacity is 15 children, newborn through twelve years of age.
Currently, the center serves 25 children from 15 Pit River families. These
children attend Munik-Chun, as needed, while their parents are either attending
school, are in job training or are working. Fees are very affordable and parents
are charged accordingly on a sliding fee scale.
Effective Program Strategy:
The
program practices a lot of one-on-one time with the children - listening,
nurturing, encouraging, and helping each other. The children learn how to
make positive and healthy choices. Close communications are maintained with
parents. The day care and preschool program consists of free play, basic kindergarten
readiness, development of children's social skills, promoting respect for
each other, problem solving with words, encouraging creativity and building
self-esteem.
The program staff wants the children to value higher education and the importance of functioning in the community. A valuable strategy used to promote education and community involvement is to emphasize tribal cultural activities.
The program works to let the children know it is okay to keep their Indian heritage alive. Pit River Health Services, Inc. offers language classes, beading classes, basket weaving classes and talking circle activities. These activities are offered outside of the child care programs. The CCDF program enhances these activities by inviting Elders for story telling sessions and by providing arts and craft projects to the preschoolers and after school children to experience cultural activities at their levels.
In the summer of 2000, the Tribe participated in its second annual Health Fair. This is a fun and healthy joining of the Tribe and the community. Health screenings are offered for all ages. The local authorities provide safety awareness information and demonstrations.
Each year an Ancestral Run is organized. This spiritual run is from Mt. Shasta to Mt. Lassen. All ages are encouraged to participate.
Resources:
The Pit River Tribe receives funding from the CCDF program.
Results:
Through various cultural activities, and interactions with tribal elders,
children are learning to be responsible and productive, and most importantly,
have pride in their Native American Heritage.
Lessons Learned:
Always
listen to what the children say. Maintain one-to-one contact as much as possible.
Let parents know the positive things occurring in the center. Encourage and
praise children and adults.
Contact Information:
Marcy
Vonderlin, Child Care Coordinator
Munik-Chun Day Care Center
Address:
Pit River Health Services, Inc.
Administrative Office
16977 Park Avenue
Burney, CA 96013
Phone: 530/335-5090
Fax: 530/335-5241
Email: prmkchun@c-zone.net
| NOTE: If you have information about an Effective Program Strategy in your Tribal community that you would like to share, please contact the Tribal Child Care Technical Assistance Center (TriTAC) at TriTAC2@aol.com |
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