McConnell Announces Nearly $4.3 Million for Kentucky Childcare and Early Education
Press Release
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) announced today 27 community service agencies and educational organizations received a total of $4,299,950 to provide necessary childcare and learning services during the coronavirus pandemic. The federal funding, distributed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Office of Head Start, was made available by the bipartisan Coronavirus Relief and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2020. Senator McConnell negotiated the coronavirus rescue bill and led it to enactment in December.
"Kentucky's childcare and early-education providers have worked courageously during the coronavirus pandemic to create safe and nurturing environments for the next generation in the Bluegrass. I'm proud they're receiving federal resources from the big and bipartisan COVID rescue bill I championed to continue their important work," said Senator McConnell. "As more Kentucky parents are able to head back to work, these educational and social services are as important as ever to help our Commonwealth's economy come roaring back."
Grantee
City
Award
Ashland Independent School District
Ashland
$36,116
Audubon Area Community Services
Owensboro
$601,939
Bell-Whitley Community Action Agency
Pineville
$115,271
Big Sandy Area Community Action Program
Paintsville
$334,979
Blue Grass Community Action Partnership
Frankfort
$91,194
Bourbon County Board of Education
Paris
$55,077
Boyd County Board of Education
Ashland
$48,155
Breckinridge County Board of Education
Hardinsburg
$34,611
Breckinridge-Grayson Programs
Leitchfield
$62,000
Carroll County Board of Education
Carrollton
$55,679
Central Kentucky Community Action Council
Lebanon
$148,679
Community Action Council for Lexington-Fayette, Bourbon, Harrison and Nicholas Counties
Lexington
$671,763
Community Action of Southern Kentucky
Bowling Green
$176,669
Family & Children's Place
Louisville
$166,135
Gateway Community Services Organization
West Liberty
$224,825
Lake Cumberland Community Action Agency
Jamestown
$193,824
Leslie Knott Letcher Perry Community Action Council
Hazard
$179,378
Lincoln County Board of Education
Stanford
$64,708
Middle Kentucky Community Action Partnership
Jackson
$96,611
Murray Board of Education
Murray
$160,116
Northeast Kentucky Community Action Agency
Olive Hill
$93,300
Northern Kentucky Community Action Commission
Covington
$159,514
Ohio Valley Educational Cooperative
Shelbyville
$359,960
Owsley County Board of Education
Booneville
$14,447
Paducah Independent School District
Paducah
$71,330
Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green
$53,573
Williamstown Board of Education Head Start
Williamstown
$30,097
Last year, Kentucky organizations participating in the Head Start program received a total of $13,282,259 from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Senator McConnell introduced the CARES Act, which became the largest economic rescue package in history, and led it to unanimous Senate passage in about a week.
"The coronavirus pandemic has posed serious challenges for parents and students in their education. We are grateful for Senator McConnell's continued leadership in delivering the necessary federal resources to support Kentucky's Head Start programs that are vital to families across the Commonwealth," said Prichard Committee President and CEO Brigitte Blom Ramsey. "This investment can continue to help prepare children to excel in the classroom and throughout their lives."
"During the first five years, a child's brain is at its most flexible, making this a critical period for learning and growth. Serving both children and their parents, Head Start and Early Head Start have been proven to support what all young children need to thrive: good health, strong families, and positive early learning experiences. As Kentucky and other states around the country re-open and re-build, it is more important than ever that these vital programs sustain and expand their valuable services. We thank Leader McConnell for ensuring this program is available to children and families across the Commonwealth," said Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates.
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