Kildee Announces Over $1 Million in Federal Grants to Fund Early Childhood Education and Child Care in Mid-Michigan

Press Release

Congressman Dan Kildee (MI-05), Chief Deputy Whip of the House Democratic Caucus, today announced $1,062,122 in federal grants to four mid-Michigan entities to fund Head Start education and child care programs.

The federal grants, awarded through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS's) Head Start Emergency Supplemental initiative, provide emergency support to Head Start programs during the pandemic. Funding is available as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, which Congressman Kildee helped pass, and include:

$474,328 for Genesee Intermediate School District
$305,484 for Saginaw Intermediate School District
$259,737 for Genesee County
$22,573 for Carman Ainsworth Community Schools
Head Start is an early childhood education program that promotes children's development through services that support education, health and family well-being. Programming is administered by local public, private non-profit and for-profit agencies. The program includes child learning services in reading, math and science; nutritious meals; health and developmental screenings; oral and mental health support; behavioral and special needs services and family services.

"Investments in early childhood education give children and families a brighter future," said Congressman Kildee. "During this pandemic when many students have experienced learning loss, it is even more important that our youngest children are provided opportunities to grow and learn. I'm pleased to announce these federal grants to our local school districts to help set our kids up for success in future learning and development. I am grateful for the teachers, staff and volunteers that have worked tirelessly during the pandemic to continue making these programs possible for our youth."

Since coming to Congress, Congressman Dan Kildee has been an advocate for early childhood education. In the wake of the Flint water crisis, in March 2016, Congressman Kildee successfully advocated for federal grants to expand Head Start and Early Head Start services for Flint children. In June 2020, Congressman Kildee announced over $20 million in federal grants to fund Head Start programs in mid-Michigan. Recently, February 2021, Kildee announced $1.3 million federal grant to fund Early Head Start education and child care programs for children in mid-Michigan.

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