Chickasaw Head Start building dedicated Sept. 27 in Sulphur

This article appeared in the October 2018 edition of the Chickasaw Times

SULPHUR, Okla. - Governor Bill Anoatubby led Sept. 27 ceremonies dedicating the new Chickasaw Nation Head Start building in Sulphur.

The new facility, at 1600 West 18th Street, is four times the size of the current facility. It is designed to make a positive impact in the lives of children.

“Early childhood education is a high priority for the Chickasaw Nation,” Gov. Anoatubby said. “It is why we continue to improve and expand our Head Start programs and child development centers.

“Head Start is a vital part of our efforts to help prepare children for a lifetime of success. This building represents an investment in education, an investment in our children, and an investment in our future leaders.

“We foresee a bright future for the children who are beginning their journey of lifelong learning. And we foresee a bright future for the Chickasaw Nation through these children. We will undoubtedly see a great return for the investment we make in the lives of these young people.”

The new Chickasaw Nation Sulphur Head Start building will provide double the number of classrooms and accommodate 12 additional children.

The new facility includes more than 12,000 square feet for classroom space, a therapy room, laundry room, an indoor play area, safe room, cafeteria and commercial kitchen. The building also features an outdoor fenced playground and covered parking for buses.

The building will serve 80 children, ages 3 and 4, from the community. Two additional employees will be added to the Sulphur Head Start staff.

Construction of the new building is the result of collaboration between the Chickasaw Nation and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Officials from the state HUD office took part in the ribbon cutting ceremonies.

“The Chickasaw Nation’s Head Start Center will be a hub of learning for the young, giving them the tools needed to advance and succeed in education and life, HUD Oklahoma Field Office Director Sharon Gordon Ribeiro said.

“I want to congratulate the Nation on their vision and their partnership with HUD that will have such a lasting impact on the community’s children.”

Located in Ada, Ardmore, Sulphur and Tishomingo, the Chickasaw Nation Early Childhood Development program is a center-based federally- and tribally-funded program.

The new building is located adjacent to the Chickasaw Youth Club.

An after-school and summer learning center for students, ages 5 through 17, the Sulphur Chickasaw Youth Club and its youth programs foster good character, promote education and encourage healthy lifestyles and career development.

Located in Tishomingo and Sulphur, Chickasaw Nation Youth Clubs’ mission is to promote and enhance the character development of boys and girls by instilling a sense of competence, usefulness, belonging and power through life enhancing programs.

Approximately 250 Chickasaws, federal, local and tribal leaders and residents joined Gov. Anoatubby for the ceremony.

For more information about Chickasaw Nation Sulphur Head Start call (580) 622-6200, or visit www.chickasaw.net