Fairbanks Native Association wins $6.2 million federal grant for Head Start

Early childhood classrooms and home visits for Alaska Native families in Fairbanks have five years of federal money behind them.

The Department of Health and Human Services awarded $6,178,218 to Fairbanks Native Association, Inc. for American Indian and Alaska Native Head Start and Early Head Start, according to a federal award record. The Administration for Children and Families is the awarding subagency. The award, numbered 90CI010241, runs from Sept. 1, 2026, through Aug. 31, 2031.

The money supports services for children from before birth through age 5. Program materials describe FNA Head Start 0-5 as "a comprehensive child and family development program for children prenatal to age five and their families, focusing on serving children and families experiencing poverty or trauma." A 2023 program newsletter said the program is funded to serve 303 enrolled students, using extended-day and home-base models. A Fairbanks North Star Borough community resources directory describes the Early Head Start side as serving Alaska Native families with children from birth to three, including home visits for expectant mothers.

The grant does not cover the whole cost. The FNA Head Start 0-5 parent handbook says the federal government requires 20 percent of the grant be matched with contributions from parents and the community.

Fairbanks Native Association is one of the grantees on the state's Head Start and Early Head Start roster. Alaska News previously covered tribal governments' annual opportunity to weigh in on how Head Start money is allocated in the state, an issue tied to documented funding shortfalls.

The award record reflects federal data only. It contains no statement from the association about enrollment plans under the new period.