The Nee-kon Project: Designing and Implementing Prevention Strategies for Young Native American Children

SUMMARY Demonstration programs creatively and adaptively deal with environmental factors which place children at high risk for later development of substance abuse. This article focuses on an example of such a program, designed to build resiliency and protective factors within young at-risk Indian children in Oklahoma through helping them bond to supportive adults and to school. Preschool children enrolled at the Kickapoo Head Start Center were involved in school transition, school readiness, school attendance, and classroom-based prevention activities while attending the Head Start Center and after matriculation into local public schools. Additional early intervention was provided to children already experiencing school adjustment difficulties. Families and Head Start staff were involved in interventions designed to make home and school environments more supportive. The article identifies the problems constituting risk factors, details the culturally appropriate solutions generated and challenges met in ...