MARTINSBURG — U.S. Senators Joe Manchin and Shelley Moore Capito announced $8,037,121 in funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Resources Administration for Children and Families to support Head Start programs in West Virginia.
Head Start and Early Start programs were implemented in 1965 to better prepare preschool children emotionally and academically for school and life, according to the MountainHeart Community Services Inc. website. In addition to providing educational benefits, the program also includes a health program which includes immunizations, medical, dental, mental health and nutritional services.
Out of the $8 million in funding, Berkeley County’s own MountainHeart Community Services Inc. will receive $1,406,128 for their Head Start and Early Start programs.
The organization offers early child development and health services in accordance with Head Start and Early Start program policies.
Manchin commented on the importance of Head Start programs.
“Our children in West Virginia deserve the best education resources available,” Manchin said. “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 both the children of our state.”
Capito also commented on how the programs can put children on a path to success.
“The education and care West Virginia’s Head Start programs provide have put many of our children on the path to success,” Capito said. “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.”
According to the MountainHeart’s 2016 annual report, 194 children were served by the Early Head Start Program with 100 percent enrollment. Out of those 194, 187 children served were approved below 100 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, 2 children were approved between 135-100 percent and 5 were over the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
As a part of the program, 98 percent received a medical exam and 94 percent received a professional dental exam.
According to the same report, MountainHeart served 294 children as a part of the Head Start Program. Of those 294, 87 percent received a medical exam and 89 percent received a dental exam.
In addition to serving children, the Head Start/Early Head Start programs provide leadership opportunities for parents as well as providing benefits to parents as well.
The $8 million grant from the HHS and AFC allow for organizations like MountainHeart Community Services Inc. to continue to operate and offer an extensive program as they currently do. According to the organizations 2016 expense report, its expenses totaled $10,887,244 between paying personnel, supplies, occupancy, telephone expenses, In-Kind, travel and other expenses.
Grants from the HHS can go towards offsetting expenses and allow the program to offer its perks like medical examinations for children and parents.
All individual awards for the grant are as follows: