Indian Child and Family Education

The Family And Child Education (FACE) program is designed to serve families with children from prenatal to age 5 in home and center-based settings. Families may receive services in one or both settings. FACE provides early childhood for all childre

The Family and Child Education (FACE) program is a comprehensive family literacy program that serves eligible American Indian families with children from the prenatal stage through age five. The program strengthens families by providing integrated services through Family Enrichment (home-based), Prekindergarten, and Adult Education, recognizing parents and caregivers as a child's first and most important teachers. Families may participate in one or more program components based on their needs. FACE is designed to improve school readiness, strengthen parent and family engagement in education, support healthy child development, and increase educational opportunities for both children and adults. Through culturally responsive instruction and family-centered services, the program promotes early language and literacy development, parenting education, adult education, and positive parent-child interactions that support lifelong learning. What makes FACE unique is its multigenerational approach to education. Rather than focusing solely on the child, the program supports the entire family by combining high-quality early childhood education with adult learning opportunities and parent education. This coordinated approach helps families build the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to support their children's success in school while advancing their own educational and personal goals. By strengthening the home learning environment and fostering meaningful partnerships between families, schools, and communities, FACE helps create a strong foundation for lifelong academic achievement and family well-being.

Federally Recognized Indian Tribal Governments and tribal organizations authorized by Indian tribal governments on reservations with Bureau of Indian Education funded elementary schools may apply to administer the program.

Eligible American Indian families with children from prenatal through age five, including parents, caregivers, and adult learners participating in the FACE program.

Funds must be used for early childhood education, adult education and parenting skills. Funds may not be used for administration or construction.

Awards are made on an annual basis based on satisfactory performance, and the funds remain available until expended by the contractor or grantee.

Federally recognized Indian tribal organizations authorized by tribal governments on reservations with BIE-funded elementary schools may apply to administer the program.

Proposals are selected based on the review of the team appointed by the Coordinator. Final determination made by the Director, BIE, based on the Coordinator's recommendation.

Once an application is received, the Coordinator of the FACE program appoints a panel of readers from such organizations as the National Center for Family Literacy, the Parents as Teachers, Research Training Associates and BIE staff who are familiar with early childhood development. The panel reads, rates and ranks the applications. The coordinator then recommends to the Director, Office of Indian Education, those applications for approval.

Applications should be submitted no later than June 1 of the year in which the applicant wishes to begin the program.

Applications by Tribal governments to administer the program will be processed within 90 days.

Awards to Tribal Governments to administer the program may be renewed every 3 years based upon satisfactory performance. A notice of intent to renew should be submitted yearly and a full application must be submitted every 3 years.

Tribal Governments wishing to appeal should write to the Director, Bureau of Indian Education. Appeals beyond this level are covered by 25 CFR Part 2.