AKWESASNE – (Seskéha/August 6, 2025) The Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe (SRMT or the “Tribe”) is providing an update on the Early Learning Center (ELC) Head Start Program. Since the release of the last Community Notice on Ohiarihkó:wa /July 3, 2025, significant improvements have been made in a number of critical areas, including program leadership, staff training, support for parents and staff, and assessment of the ELC facility camera surveillance system.
On Ohiarihkó:wa/July 21st, the Tribe appointed Lindsay Tarbell as the Interim Program Manager. Lindsay draws from a wealth of experience in program leadership and grants administration and has already taken a number of steps to implement corrective actions.
On Ohiarihkó:wa/July 29-30th, Head Start and Child Care staff completed Enhanced Mandated Reporter Training, provided by the Child Care Coordinating Council of Northern New York. The in-person, enhanced training is above and beyond the NYS Office of Child and Family Services (OCFS) required annual on-line training module and will continue annually.
The SRMT Executive Director, in consultation with the Tribal Police Department, Tribal Child Protective Services, and Tribal Council developed a new mandated reporter policy. The policy clearly outlines the professional responsibility of each staff member. The policy is to be acknowledged by each staff member and becomes part of the HR file.
Mental health counseling has been made available for affected parents and their families, as well as ELC staff, and can be accessed by calling the Mental Health Clinic at (518) 358-3145. A program is being developed to help with summer child care expenses incurred by affected parents. Once the details are finalized, an update will be provided.
An assessment for an improved facility-wide camera surveillance assessment has been completed. Recommendations for improved security system recording and monitoring are forthcoming.
Tribal leadership has been actively monitoring progress and keeping the New York State Office of Children and Family Services and federal head start officials briefed on this matter. The Tribe remains committed to transparency and accountability and will continue to provide the community with regular updates on corrective actions and improvements to the ELC.
To stay current on Tribal news, please visit our website at www.srmt-nsn.gov