Maui to Get $1M in Federal Funds for Head Start

Hawai‘i will receive $2.3 million in grants from the US Department of Health and Human Services for programs that offer quality health care and prepare young children for school, that according to US Senator Brian Schatz of Hawai‘i, who serves as a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee.

More than $1 million will go to Maui County to fund Head Start, a federal early childhood education program, and nearly $1.3 million will go to the West Hawai‘i Community Health Center, which offers health care for residents of Hawai‘i Island, regardless of income.

“There are few investments that pay off like ones in health care and early childhood education,” said Senator Schatz. “Our communities will always be stronger when kids have a strong foundation to succeed, and when people can get health care when and where they need it.”

The West Hawai‘i Community Health Center will receive an HHS grant for $1,278,328 for its comprehensive health center program. Maui Economic Opportunity, Inc. will receive an HHS grant of $1,047,514 to help fund 13 Head Start centers on Maui and Moloka‘i. These centers support comprehensive child development and family engagement for children up to age five.