Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced that Midcoast Maine Community Action has received a total of $1,566,111 for its Head Start and Early Head Start programs. This funding was awarded through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Administration for Children and Families’ Office of Head Start.

“Head Start and Early Head Start programs across Maine provide invaluable resources to young children and their families, helping them to cultivate new skills and build educational opportunities,” said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement. “Midcoast Maine Community Action works tirelessly to make our state stronger, and we are grateful for this continued federal investment in Maine’s future.”

Midcoast Maine Community Action will use this funding to provide free high-quality, early childhood education for income-qualified families in Cumberland, Sagadahoc, and Lincoln counties.

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. Early Head Start services are available for eligible children age zero to three and pregnant women. Head Start services include early learning, health, and family well-being.