Tlingit and Haida finalized an agreement with the City and Borough of Wrangell to expand early childhood education and daycare services at last month’s borough assembly meeting on May 27.
The Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska, a regional tribal government in Southeast Alaska, are funding additional childcare and Head Start classes in the Wrangell community, increasing the number of rooms from one to two at Evergreen Elementary.
Even though classroom sizes will be smaller than what has been, the enrollment capacity will double to 36 students beginning this August. The smaller classes will give students more individual support.
Assembly members support additional classroom space
Wrangell assembly members discussed the importance of the additional Head Start classroom space.
Assembly Member Jim DeBord said this license supports economic development and workforce retention in Wrangell.
“Working at the hospital, this has been one of the biggest hurdles to recruitment and retention of a skilled labor workforce that nurses, therapists, physicians, RNs, BSNs, CNAs, even admin people experience,” he said. “It’s been difficult.”
Tlingit and Haida will relocate their existing Head Start classroom to one of the new classrooms.
“Weaving traditional values into daily learning”
In a press release issued by Tlingit and Haida, Senior Director of Early Education Ethan Petticrew said, “By weaving traditional values into daily learning, we help ensure that our children are confident in their identity and prepared to succeed in school and in life.”
Wrangell Mayor Patty Gilbert said the borough gladly accepted the childcare expansion because of the need for it.
“That was the interesting thing that I learned is when they came to us and said, ‘Wrangell has a baby boom. Other communities no babies,'” she said. “So monies were filtered to Wrangell and we gladly accepted them and accommodated whatever they needed to pull it off.”
Borough Manager Mason Villarma said the license will cost the borough $1500 per month, but the tribal government will pay utilities, insurance and remodel costs.
“It’s something that we feel that is an in kind contribution to Tlingit and Haida, as just charging them would raise the barriers to the cost of child care services to those seeking it,” he said. “So they will pay for all utilities, as described in this lease agreement. And I think this is a really big win for the community.”
Once Head Start slots are filled for children ages three to five, openings will then be available to the broader Wrangell community. Tlingit and Haida encourages families to apply for the upcoming school year.
Additionally, Tlingit and Haida will hire three new staff members to support this expansion with one lead teacher and two aides. The tribal government has funds for two years to support the program.
On top of Head Start, Tlingit and Haida plans for a new day care program for children ages 18-months to three-years are in progress.
