"Investing in our children is a way of investing in our future," said Senators Snowe and Collins in a joint statement. "Head Start programs have been proven to be one of the most effective means of preparing low-income children for school. These programs also greatly aid child development and serve as a vital resource for low-income families. The recent grants from the DHHS also include essential funding for maternal and child health services."
The following have been awarded funding: • $2,230,000 to Community Concepts Inc. for Head Start Projects • $1,760,000 to Penquis Community Action Program, Inc. for Head Start Handicapped Service • $1,460,000 to People's Regional Opportunity Program for Head Start Projects • $1,350,000 to the Kennebec Valley Community Action Program for Head Start Projects • $1,230,000 to Southern Kennebec Child Development Corporation for Head Start Handicapped Service • $1,200,000 to Aroostook County Action Program, Inc. for Head Start Projects • $462,742 to the Maine Department of Health and Human Services for maternal and child health services
Head Start and Early Head Start are comprehensive child development programs which serve children from birth to age 5, pregnant women, and their families. They are child-focused programs and have the overall goal of increasing the school readiness of young children in low-income families. The Head Start program has a long tradition of delivering comprehensive and high quality services designed to foster healthy development in low-income children. Head Start grantee and delegate agencies provide a range of individualized services in the areas of education and early childhood development; medical, dental, and mental health; nutrition; and parent involvement. In addition, the entire range of Head Start services is responsive and appropriate to each child''s and family''s developmental, ethnic, cultural, and linguistic heritage and experience. The Department of Health and Human Services is the United States government''s principal agency for protecting the health of all Americans and providing essential human services, especially for those who are least able to help themselves. HHS works closely with state and local governments and administers more grant dollars than all other federal agencies combined.
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