Services
FNA Head Start promotes cultural identity of Alaska Native and American Indian families, while giving children educational, physical, social skills, and tools to have a great head start towards school readiness. All of the children receive screenings to help ensure that they are where they should be developmentally and Head Start seeks to obtain additional services for them when needed. Head Start works with families to connect with partnering community agencies for additional resources that they may need.
History of Fairbanks Native Association Head Start
FNA Head Start opened its door in 1993. The original site provided Part Day services for 60 children and Home Based services for 22 children. The original program had 15 staff members. In 1998, FNA expanded, offering Early Head Start services for an additional 80 families in Center Based and Home Based options.
FNA Head Start has grown through the years and in 2014 FNA restructured its Early Childhood Division, bringing Early Head Start and Head Start together to operate as one program. Today FNA Head Start 0-5 has a staff of over 70, providing Center Based, Home Based, and Denaakk’e Indigenous Language options to children at two locations: The Poldine Carlo Building and the McKinley Site. Center Based Options taking place at the Poldine Carlo Building and Home Based services taking place at the McKinley Site. Head Start 0-5 is currently funded to serve 303 children; 110 slots for children ages 0-3, and 193 slots for children ages 3-5.
Program Overview
FNA Head Start 0-5 accepts applications from all families living in the Fairbanks North Star Borough. The children enrolled in FNA Head Start 0-5 are guided in developing social skills, practicing physical fitness and taking part in educational experiences that give them a head start towards school readiness. All children receive appropriate developmental screenings and referrals as needed. The program is inclusive and promotes the cultural identity of Alaska Native and American Indian families through onsite activities and field trips to cultural events such as the Festival of Alaska Native Arts.
Program options
Focus on health, nutrition, education, and culture.
Full Day Center Based: Six hours a day, M-Th, 3-5 years of age, August–May. Free
Indigenous Language Center Based: Full day option, M-Th, Aug.–May, 3-4 years of age, to learn Denaakk’e/Koyukon Athabascan. Free
Extended Center Based: Ideal for parents/guardians who are in training/school, searching for work, or currently employed. Operating M-Th, 9.25 hour day, Year round. Tuition
Home Based: Offers educational weekly educational home visits, and twice monthly socializations. Services are offered year-round for prenatal to 5 years of age. Free
For parents
Here is the Airplane Song
and the Seagull Song.
loading map - please wait...
![]() | Head Start 0-5 Head Start 0-5 Enrollment Office 3830 South Cushman Street, Fairbanks, AK 99701 3830 South Cushman Street, Fairbanks, AK, United States |
![]() | Head Start 0-5 FNA Head Start 3830 South Cushman Street Alaska, United States of America |
![]() | Head Start 0-5 McKinley Site 526 Gaffney Rd, Fairbanks, AK, United States |