Rep. Leger Fernández Announces Over $5 Million for Local Head Start Programs in CD-3

Press Release

Congresswoman Leger Fernández announced over $5 million for local Head Start programs today. She helped secure the grant funding as part of the American Rescue Plan. This funding will help Head Start programs across the district invest in creating healthy learning environments for students.

"I fell in love with learning as a Head Start baby so I am happy to announce the American Rescue Plan's investments. They will help our local Head Start programs prepare our young children for success, and help parents, especially mothers, get back to work knowing their kids are safe and learning," said Leger Fernández.

Grant amounts are below:

West Las Vegas Schools: $210,584
Mora Independent School District: $137,598
Santo Domingo Tribe- Kewa Health Outreach Program: $256,051
Pueblo of Santa Clara: $45,467
Five Sandoval Indian Pueblos: $49,057
Pueblo of Taos: $59,825
Jicarilla Apache Nation: $193,833
Eight Northern Indian Pueblos Council, Inc.: $38,288
Pueblo of San Felipe: $111,275
Ohkay Owingeh Tribal Council: $96,917
Pueblo of Jemez: $81,362
Chicanos Por La Causa: $134,008
Mid-West New Mexico Community Action Program: $865,070
Presbyterian Medical Services: $1,408,281
The Navajo Nation: $1,615,275

"I was very excited to learn of the funding. Our programs include centers in three school districts, Mora, Springer, and Raton. Over the years, our facilities have fallen behind due to a lack of funding, this will help us to catch up so that we may serve our kids quality food and bring our facilities up to ADA code compliance. We're grateful to Congresswoman Leger Fernandez for her work to ensure our programs will survive the pandemic. We look forward to putting this money to good use for our kids and families," said Joseph Griego, Head Start & Early Head Start Coordinator at the Mora Independent School District.

"We appreciate the Administration and Congress for assistance with federal trust responsibility with sovereign governments. These funds are important and will be used for critical needs as it relates to childhood programs," said Santa Clara Governor J. Michael Chavarria.

"We're glad to see the Biden Administration, along with Congress, is supportive to the needs of students in the early childhood realm as we know those are the most important and critical," said Taos Pueblo Tribal Programs Administrator Shawn Duran.

The funding for Head Start comes in addition to $320 million Congresswoman Leger Fernández secured to help New Mexico reopen child care providers safely, keep workers on payroll, and lower costs for hardworking families.

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