Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced that Community Concepts Inc. and Opportunity Alliance have been awarded a total of $9,234,196 for their Head Start and Early Head Start Programs in Franklin, Oxford, York, and Cumberland counties.  The grants are being awarded through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Children and Families.

“Head Start provides children with a strong educational foundation that allows them to grow and succeed.  It also gives parents the developmental resources they need to support their children and to help them build confidence,” Senators Collins and King said in a joint statement.  “We welcome this important investment in the children and families of western and southern Maine.”

The funding is allocated as follows:

• Community Concepts, Inc. was awarded  $5,376,383 for Head Start programs in Franklin and Oxford counties.
• York County Community Action was awarded $470,702 for Early Head Start programs in York County.
• The Opportunity Alliance was awarded $3,387,111 for Head Start programs in Cumberland County.

Head Start was established in 1965 to promote school readiness and provide a comprehensive array of health, nutritional, and social services to eligible four- and five-year-old preschoolers and their families.  Head Start services include early learning, health, and family well-being.  This funding supports local agencies that provide Head Start services across the country.