Source: United States Senator for Maine Angus King
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King today announced that three Maine organizations will receive a total of $14,110,393 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to strengthen Head Start and Early Head Start programs. The three organizations are Penquis C.A.P., Inc. in Bangor, Aroostook County Action Program in Presque Isle, and Southern Kennebec Child Development Corporation in Farmingdale.
“Head Start programs are instrumental in helping young children cultivate new skills and provide them educational opportunities, while also allowing their parents to fully participate in the workforce,” said Senators Collins and King. “This funding is a significant investment in Maine’s youth as well as in the dedicated teachers and staff at these three organizations who work hard to make their communities stronger.”
The funding is allocated as follows:
- Penquis C.A.P., Inc. was awarded $5,728,127 for its Head Start and Early Head Start programs to assist children and families in Penobscot County.
- Aroostook County Action Program was awarded $4,478,612 for its Head Start and Early Head Start programs to assist children and families in Aroostook County.
- Southern Kennebec Child Development Corporation was awarded $3,903,654 for its Head Start and Early Head Start programs to assist children and families in Kennebec County.
Head Start was established in 1965 to promote school readiness and provide a comprehensive array of health, nutritional and social services to poverty-stricken preschoolers and their families. Head Start services include early learning, health, and family well-being. In 2021, the latest year with data available, Maine’s Head Start chapter operated 24 programs, with 240 classrooms. The federal government provides 80% of the annual cost to operate Head Start with the remaining 20% of funding from matching contributions. The Office of Head Start (OHS) administers grant funding and oversight to the local agencies that provide Head Start services in Maine and across the country.