Six staff from SUCAP's Head Start/Early Head Start division attended the 34th annual Native American Child and Family Conference held in Albuquerque from March 15-19. The conference was hosted by the Southwest Consortium of Indian Head Start Programs.

Family advocate Samuel Harrison was deemed the "Grandfather of Head Start" and delivered the invocation. The staff listened to presentations from Head Start Acting Director Ann Linehan, Region XI Program Manager Captain Bob Bailas, and from the Honorable Rex Lee Jim, assistant superintendant of the Navajo Nation.

Throughout the week participants attended workshops by national presenters as well as local program staff. This conference is developed by Native American Head Start staff for other staff and their child care partners.

During this conference the Southern Ute Montessori Head Start/Early Head Start recognized one of their exceptional grandparents, Joyce Delaware-Ford.

She is honored to be a grandmother and able to teach and guide the younger generation to carry on valuable traditions.

She has shown tremendous dedication and commitment to her family. She has made progress through the years in advocating for people's grandchildren. Delaware-Ford is currently serving her second term on the local policy committee and volunteers numerous hours in the classroom and on special events. She is an active member of the Southern Ute community and serves on the Pow Wow Committee and dedicates a lot of her time traveling to Pow Wows and Native Ceremonies.