Employees and volunteers of the Navajo Nation's Head Start program will undergo background checks as part of a plan to regain federal funding.

The Administration for Children and Families pulled funding after an audit found 106 employees with criminal records. Of those, 51 had committed serious offenses like first-degree murder, domestic abuse, child abuse and driving while intoxicated.

Navajo Nation President Joe Shirley Jr. went to Washington this week to present a corrective plan. He secured $413,000 so the Head Start could finish up work for the summer.

Get the Story:
Crime records of Navajo staff lead to change (AP 5/11)
Low Headstart enrollment costs Shiprock $1.8 million (The Farmington Daily Times 5/11)

Relevant Links:
Navajo Nation - http://www.navajo.org
Head Start - http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/hsb

Related Stories:
Navajo Nation gets funds to close down Head Start (5/10)
Navajo Nation launches bid to restore Head Start funds (5/9)
'Murderers' working for Navajo Nation Head Start (5/5)
Navajo Nation loses federal Head Start funding (5/4)