A r c h i v e d  I n f o r m a t i o n

Native American Parental Assistance Program,
Project NAPAP
Ahmium Education, Inc.

Ahmium Education, Inc. is developing the Native American Parental Assistance Program, Project NAPAP, to develop and disseminate a model Native American Parental Assistance Program that can be expanded regionally and statewide. The project aims to: empower parents to join the educational system, to assume leadership roles, and to participate in local and state decision-making processes; provide parents and extended family with the knowledge and skills to assume their role as their child's first teacher; provide families and children with effective training and support to enable students to achieve high academic standards; establish broad-based, enduring community and parent involvement in educational programs through collaborative projects; and facilitate reform and restructuring efforts of tribal organizations and the education system.

In its first year, Project NAPAP is developing a central center and a culturally appropriate parenting curriculum, and training staff and personnel from key support agencies and programs. Satellite Parent Resource Centers will then be established throughout southern California, and ultimately throughout the state. Project NAPAP has 6 components:

1. Parenting Education
   The centers provide parent training workshops, a leadership academy and a home-based mentor program to ensure that parents understand their child's educational needs, communicate more effectively with educational personnel, and understand the range of resources available to their children. Most activities are based on the Parents as Teachers (PAT) program model.
2. Parent Involvement
   Parent involvement in education is being promoted through four related activities: 1) involvement in school-related activities; 2) PAT program for parents of preschool children; 3) weekly classroom or school-support activities for the parents of school-age children; and 4) Parents and Children Together (PACT) intergenerational activities and involvement to facilitate transitional services between preschool and kindergarten.

3. Technology
   Parents can access information about current research and parent education and involvement programs through the centers' electronic networks. Also, an electronic hotline will link homes with the resource centers.

4. Partnerships With School Districts
   Each center is establishing a partnership with its local school district to include co-sponsored parent education and professional development sessions, and the connection of the NAPAP to local education improvement efforts.

5. Culturally-Appropriate Curriculum
   Each center will conduct a local needs assessment for tailoring parent education and involvement activities to unique community characteristics.

6. Professional Development
   The parent centers are offering professional development to project staff as well as to the staff of cooperating agencies and school districts to increase familiarity with the center and the PAT program, and to connect the NAPAP to local reform efforts.

Collaborators:

• Ahmium Education,Inc.
• California Department of Education, Indian Education Centers
• Indian Health
• Indian Education
• DQU Indian College
• Public School Districts

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[Parent Information and Resource Centers]

[Clayton Foundation]