The U.S. Department of Health and Human Resources Administration for Children and Families is awarding more than $8 million to support Head Start programs in southern West Virginia, including about $2.6 million to programs in Raleigh and Wyoming counties.
Head Start is a federal program promoting school readiness of children from birth to 5 years old from low-income families aiming to enhance cognitive, social and emotional development.
U.S. Sens. Joe Manchin and Shelley Moore Capito announced the funding in a Friday news release.
“Our children in West Virginia deserve the best education resources available,” Manchin said in the release. “This grant money will ensure the success of early childhood education programs throughout our state. I know these grant recipients will work tirelessly to positively impact the children of our state.”
MountainHeart Community Services Inc. in Oceana received $1,406,128 and Raleigh County Community Action Association Inc. received $1,219,445.
Other awards are $1,260,762 to the Eastern Allegheny Council for Human Services Head Start in Moorefield; $1,802,345 to the Community Action of South Eastern West Virginia in Bluefield; and $2,348,441 to Coalfield Community Action Partnership Inc. in Williamson.
“The education and care West Virginia’s Head Start programs provide have put many of our children on the path to success,” Capito said in the release. “By helping these Head Start programs continue to deliver important services to kids who need them, these funds will play a role in preparing another generation of kids to succeed.”