Enhancing Opportunities For All – A Commitment
to Education

Carol Cordova, Education and Training Manager

The South Puget Intertribal Planning Agency (SPIPA) and the Five Tribes have a strong commitment to education – a commitment shared by each and every tribal community and SPIPA staff.

That commitment fist took physical form in September, 2001, when SPIPA opened The Five Tribes' Career Center (affectionately known as 5TCC), in downtown Shelton.

Today the 5TCC is located at the Intertribal Professional Center on the Squaxin Island Reservation. But the goal remains the same – to operate as a "One-Stop Center" for educational coursework, support and counseling; vocational assessment; job training; labor market evaluations; general assistance; coordinate with the TANF program; and assist with job placement. The new location offers new classrooms, a new computer lab, conference rooms, and much more.

In July, 2004 the SPIPA Intertribal Pathways to Success program received funding. This nearly $1-million program will provide one-on-one tutoring, videoconferencing, and a wide range of support to prepare high-school students for post secondary education. The program will be offered at six sites in the SPIPA tribal service areas. (See link below.)

This photo shows participating tribes connecting to watch a culturally appropriate, instructional video. The screen on the left shows the four tribes who participated.

The 5TCC serves Native Americans from the five consortium tribal reservations as well as eligible Native Americans living in the tribes' service areas of Thurston, Mason, Grays Harbor, Pacific, Lewis and Pierce Counties.

The goal: increase academic confidence and skills level including: computer skills, writing, and consumer/math skills.

The Center also works in partnership with Northwest Indian College. Through the SPIPA Intertribal Tribes Assisting Needy Families (TANF) Program the Agency has formed new partnerships with Tacoma Community College, the Tacoma Urban League, and Bates College. Community partnerships are continually being developed to best serve both current and future clients.

One of our first large educational programs was the Journey to Success Program – students learned about tribal governance, sovereignty, and human relations in the workplace.

While this Program ended its spirit remains. The educational focus of the Center may change to meet future needs, but the commitment to education remains constant – meeting the educational needs of the youth (and adults) of member tribes in order to assure a better life in each of our communities.

If you need to reach Carol Cordova, or any of her staff members, please call (360) 426-3990 (800) 924-3984.

Click on the links below for more information :

Five Tribes' Career Center (5TCC)
Native Employment Works (NEW) and Childcare Services
SPIPA Intertribal Pathways to Success
SPIPA Tribes Assisting Needy Families (TANF)
Vocational Rehabilitation
General Assistance