Northern Panhandle Head Start Inc. will receive more than $1.2 million from federal sources thanks to the state’s U.S. senators.
Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., and Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., announced the funding totals for several Head Start programs throughout West Virginia. The lawmakers, who are both members of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, said they were able to help secure $11,864,272 for those programs.
The money comes from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families. In addition to the programming in Ohio County, the money will be used to support services in Greenbrier, Monroe, Upshur and Marion counties.
“It is in all of our best interest that every child receives a quality education that empowers them to succeed,” Manchin said. “Head Start programs provide the resources for communities to give their students an early childhood education that will support them in the classroom for years to come. I will continue to advocate for Head Start funding so that West Virginia’s children and families always have access to the education they deserve.”
Capito said she agrees that the early education program is important.
“A solid educational foundation opens countless doors in life,” she said. “Head Start funding supports programs that provide early childhood education to young West Virginians, preparing them for a lifetime of learning.
“I will continue to fight for resources for our children like these.”
The individual awards to five programs that will receive funding are: Northern Panhandle Head Start Inc., $1,281,396; Upshur Human Resources Inc., $1,644,791; Monroe County Board of Education, $721,462; North Central West Virginia Community Action Agency, $7,140,728; and Greenbrier County Board of Education, $1,075,895.