Head Start Data Explore the Strengths, Needs, and Experiences of American Indian and Alaska Native Children Early in the Pandemic

Approximately 20,000 preschool children are enrolled in Head Start programs in Region XI, which serves children and families in programs operated by federally recognized American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) tribes. The AIAN Head Start Family and Child Experiences Survey (AIAN FACES) provides information on the strengths, needs, and experiences of all children in Region XI and seeks to understand the cultural and linguistic experiences of Native children and families. AIAN FACES 2019 is the second round of this national study, with data collection completed in fall 2019 and spring 2020. In spring 2020, AIAN FACES included questions for Head Start program and center directors about their responses to the COVID-19 pandemic, including how programs and centers supported the needs of families and staff.

The data from which these findings are drawn are newly available. Click here to learn more about the data and how to apply for access to the files through Child & Family Data Archive at ICPSR.

Two reports highlight findings from spring 2020, early in the COVID-19 pandemic:

Descriptive Data on Region XI Head Start Children and Families: AIAN FACES Spring 2020 Data Tables and Study Design describes the children enrolled in Region XI Head Start programs in fall 2019 who were still enrolled in spring 2020; their families’ backgrounds and home environments; and the characteristics of their classrooms, centers, and programs. It also provides information on study methodology, sample, and analytic methods.

Supporting Families in Region XI AIAN Head Start: Centers’ Early Responses to the COVID-19 Pandemic explores how, early in the COVID-19 pandemic, children’s Head Start centers communicated with families and includes information about the needs that families reported to center staff. It also describes how children’s Head Start centers provided supports that corresponded with families’ needs.

Three reports highlight findings from fall 2019:

Descriptive Data on Region XI Head Start Children and Families: AIAN FACES Fall 2019 Data Tables and Study Design describes the children enrolled in Region XI Head Start programs in fall 2019, their families’ backgrounds, and their home environments. It also provides information on study methodology, sample, and analytic methods.

Strengths and Stressors in Region XI Head Start: The Role of Social Support and Economic Condition in the Well-Being of Children and Families from AIAN FACES 2019 describes the economic conditions of families with children enrolled in Region XI Head Start programs, as well as the different forms of social and community support they have. It also explores whether families with different levels of social and community support report different levels of financial strain and material hardship.

Performance of New Cognitive Assessments with Head Start Children: Emerging Evidence from FACES and AIAN FACES 2019 evaluates the performance of direct cognitive assessments of children enrolled in Head Start. It examines the validity of the Minnesota Executive Function Scale App (MEFS App^TM) for Head Start children. It also explores whether there was any systematic item bias in the latest editions of cognitive assessments for AIAN children compared to those for White, non-Hispanic children.

Mathematica’s commitment to using the best possible data, methods, and evidence to improve the lives of children and families has led to an ongoing partnership with the Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation within the Administration for Children and Families and in consultation with the AIAN FACES Workgroup, comprising Region XI Head Start directors, researchers, and federal officials. You can learn more about AIAN FACES on OPRE’s website and Mathematica’s website.

AIAN FACES is continuing to collect data during the 2021–2022 program year to understand how children, families, and staff are faring during the COVID-19 pandemic. Findings and data from this effort will be available starting in 2023.