Sas Natsadle Aboriginal Head Start

NENAS delivers the Sas Natsadle Aboriginal Head Start program in the city of Fort St. John for forty Aboriginal children and their parents in need of emotional, social, and intellectual support.  There is also a strong component of Aboriginal culture, language and heritage incorporated in the curriculum.  AHS provides programming in the following areas: Culture and Language, Education and School Readiness, Health Promotion, Nutrition, Social Support and Parental Involvement. 

Aboriginal Infant Support and Development

The AIDP program offers support for Aboriginal families that have children between birth-6 years who are at risk for or, who have a developmental delay; language delay; and/or Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorder, and raises awareness of the importance of healthy infant development and early intervention.  AIDP provides in-house and outreach play groups that include nutritional snacks, story time, creative arts, free play and social interaction with other children and families. AIDP also provides a family room for the AHS program.

Strengthening Aboriginal Families Environment (SAFE)

The next SAFE delivery will start in September 2008.  This program involves Aboriginal youth and their families in family skill building sessions intended to: improve family relationships, improve parenting skills and increase the youth’s social and life skills.  Referrals are being accepted now.

My Tween and Me

My Tween and Me is a program for parents of children aged 7 to 12 years.  It is intended to address the key areas of every school-age child’s life – home and family, school and friends, and community life – helping kids develop skills and relationships that will allow them to resist joining in high-risk activities, like drinking and drug use, during their teen years. Planning is underway to deliver this program for Aboriginal children and their families starting in October at the Rising Spirit Aboriginal Youth Centre.