The purpose of the Bureau of Indian Education’s (BIE) early childhood education office is to provide a Family and Child Education (FACE) Program that is grounded in Native values. FACE is managed and led by the BIE early childhood education staff within the Office of Sovereignty in Indian Education. The program focuses on a community-centric model where collaboration with the family/caregivers/guardians, local resources, and school (site) is critical to a student’s academic and social-emotional success. 

FACE supports three components: 

1. Prekindergarten Services (4 - 5 years old)

2. Family Enrichment Services (Prenatal to 3-years-old)

3. Adult Education Services

Each site has the authority to determine which component(s) they want to implement. The BIE evaluates each component independently twice a year. 

The overall goals of FACE encompass six identified focus areas to support implementation:

1. Engagement

2. Culture & Language

3. Curriculum & Assessment

4. Transition Plans / Transitioning

5. Readiness Strategies

6. Data Collection

FACE is committed to supporting our Indigenous families through education and empowerment by: 

• Promoting lifelong learning and school readiness

• Supporting families in their role as their child’s first and most influential teacher

• Increasing families’ participation in their child’s learning and expectations for academic achievement

• Strengthening family-school-community connections

• Celebrating the unique cultural and linguistic diversity of each American Indian community served by the program