The related Early Head Start program aims to promote healthy prenatal outcomes for expectant mothers, development of very young children and healthy family functioning. It reaches 60 children on the Navajo Nation and receives $597,000.

Last May, the federal Head Start office suspended funding to the preschool program after discovering 51 people with criminal histories, including murder, spousal abuse and child abuse, were employed in the program without having to first undergo a criminal background check. All Head Start employees were placed on furlough.

The Navajo Nation since has corrected problems with new policies and staff training, and now is found to have procedures to work with the Policy Council, governing body and key management staff, Wilkins' letter states. It also has corrected problems related to ongoing monitoring.

"We have determined the Navajo Nation has sustained its burden to show cause why the suspension of funding for its Head Start program should be rescinded," Wilkins wrote in the letter. "We are satisfied there remains no continuing risk to the health and safety of Head Start children and staff due to the deficiencies in shared governance and ongoing monitoring related to criminal background checks."

Becenti said while there were serious deficiencies in the program, "there wasn't a whole gang of criminals."

He said all employees and volunteers who were hired back have undergone federal and tribal background checks. The staff is currently undergoing two weeks of training, and the facilities of the centers scheduled to reopen will be inspected.

In short, he said, the program has undergone "everything you can think about to make sure everything has been corrected."

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E-mail: dbulkeley@desnews.com; jtcook@desnews.com