EDUCATION DEPARTMENT

Joyce McFarland
 Education Department
 Nez Perce Tribe
 P.O. Box 365
 Lapwai, ID 83540
 PH: (208) 621-4610
 FAX: (208) 843-7387
 EMAIL: joycem@nezperce.org

Final Scholarship Plan of Operation

Presentation for New Education Facility

COMMITMENT:

 The Nez Perce Tribe is committed to advancing the cultural, economic, and social prosperity of the Nez Perce people.  Our efforts also impact the greater community.  The Nez Perce Tribe is the 2nd largest employer in their region and contributes annually to local education agencies.

 PURPOSE:

 Oversee the education programs of the Nez Perce Tribe in order to increase education and employment opportunities for Nez Perce tribal members.  The programs include Adult Education, Early Childhood Development (ECDP), Higher Education, Students for Success, Tribal Employment Right's Office (TERO),and Vocational Rehabilitation.

 One major project under development is the Nez Perce Education, Training, and Business Development Center.  For more information, go to http://nezperceeducationcenter.org/

GOALS & OBJECTIVES:

 Goal #1:  Improve the capacity of tribal education programs to deliver comprehensive and culturally-appropriate services to tribal members on the Nez Perce reservation.

 1.1       Complete program reviews for five (5) tribal Education Programs to understand their scope of work, goals, objectives, performance standards, applicable laws and regulations, successes, and barriers/challenges.

 1.2       Provide daily advocacy support and technical assistance to each tribal Education Program to help them meet their program's goals, objectives, roles/responsibilities, timelines, and evaluation.

 1.3       Establish regular Director's meetings and Quarterly All Staff meetings to include information sharing, strengthening collaboration to maximizing resources and improve service coordination, and expand professional development opportunities.

 1.4       Develop a 5-Year Strategic Plan and Logic Model to improve implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of shared department goals, objectives, roles/responsibilities, timelines, and evaluation.

 1.5       Improve social marketing and public relations to inform the Nez Perce tribal community about tribal Education Services.

 Goal #2:  Address Education activities in the NPTEC Strategic Plan from March 2009 by coordinating with other tribal departments and external networking agencies

 2.1       Establish Internship Programs for All Branches of the Tribal Administration.

 2.2       Increase College Scholarships and Other Higher Education Assistance.

 2.3       Provide information on existing internship opportunities for Tribal Members.

 2.4       Provide job readiness/skills training utilizing existing tribal programs.

 2.5       Establish a Small Business Incubator Facility - Workforce Training Center, "Traditional Center."

 2.6       Assess the Barriers of Tribal/Indian Preference in Hiring and Develop Recommendations.

  Goal #3: Implement the two-year Work Plan for development of the Nez Perce Education, Training, and Business Development Center

 3.1     PARTNERSHIPS:  Expand and maintain partnerships with Nez Perce Tribal entities and other regional, state, or federal agencies or institutions that target education, training, and business development.

 3.2     PROGRAMS:  Work with Education Department Programs and Project Partners to supplement existing education, training, and business development programming to increase employability and mobility of Nez Perce tribal members.

 3.3     FUNDING:  Create and implement an Action Plan to fund the proposed Nez Perce Education, Training, and Business Development Center by working with NPTEC, Executive Director, Project Work Group members, and potential funding agencies.

 3.4     CONSTRUCTION:  Investigate funding options for the Center and start making contacts with target agencies.

 SERVICES:

             The Education Department Manager is available to assist Nez Perce tribal members and staff on a wide range of educational issues.  The Manager has an overall responsibility to coordinate tribal education programs.

             The tribal Education Department work collaboratively with local, state, regional, and national entities to expand education, economic development, and training resources and services on the Nez Perce reservation.

             Tribal education programs are currently offer the following services:

 Adult Education (teenagers and adults)

 *       Partners with Northwest Indian College on Distance Learning Center to offer Associate degrees

*       Provides GED classes and work force training opportunities

 *       Support Vocational Technical students with scholarships and case management

 *       Support adult work services to enter employment and a youth cultural enrichment program

Early Childhood Development (children and parents)

 *      Provides quality, comprehensive and developmentally appropriate services for eligible children and their families

 *     Child Care Development Fund, Early Head Start, Head Start, JOM, and USDA Food Program

 Higher Education (teenagers and adults)

 *      Provides full-time and part-time scholarships to undergraduate students and high school students taking dual credit courses (when other resources are not available).

*        If funds are available, possible funding for graduate students.  Not guaranteed.

 Students for Success (primarily K-12)

 *       Targets efforts that improve the health and educational outcomes of young people

 *       Provides TA and professional development on coordinated school health programs

 *       Teaches drug prevention curriculums to teens and parents

 *       Works with coalitions to prevent alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use and HIV and promote cultural identity and wellness

 Tribal Employment Rights (adults)

 *       Administers and enforces Indian preference in employment, training, contracting, and subcontracting from  Title IX of the Nez Perce Law and Order Code

 *       Oversees Equal Employment Opportunity Commission compliance Vocational Rehabilitation (teens age 16 and above, adults)

 *       Provides services to Native Americans with a  documented disability to reach an outcome of gainful employment

 *       Services include guidance/ counseling, physical/mental restoration, case management, adaptive services for mobility and cognitive/sensory impairment, and employment development and placement