Androscoggin Head Start and Downeast Community Partners will use the funding to improve resources for Maine families and children

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King today announced that two Maine organizations will receive a total of $2,913,484 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to strengthen Head Start programs and promote early childhood development opportunities for children in poverty. Androscoggin Head Start and Child Care in Lewiston and Downeast Community Partners in Ellsworth will use the funding to develop new approaches to learning, strengthen social and emotional development programs, and expand physical health education.

“Maine’s Head Start programs empower both parents and their children. From kickstarting educations to promoting positive parent-child relationships, Head Start’s opportunities are invaluable to Maine students’ success,” said Senators Collins and King. “The dedicated teachers and staff at Androscoggin Head Start and Downeast Community Partners work hard to support Maine families and help our children grow.  This significant new investment will improve access to critical development resources in Maine communities.”

“Down East Community Partners’ Head Start program is a critical flagship service in Hancock and Washington Counties. This funding provides the foundation of DCP’s efforts and partnerships with parents, local public schools, and community organizations,” said Rebecca Palmer, Executive Director of Downeast Community Partners. “It has never been more critical to serve the families and children in our respective counties living in poverty needing school readiness supports of physical and health development, language and literacy development, social and emotional development, and cognition of literacy and approaches to learning.”

The funding will be allocated as follows:

    Androscoggin Head Start and Child Care will receive $1,704,790 for its Early Education Center

    Downeast Community Partners will receive $1,208,694 for its quality of life and poverty reduction programs

Head Start was established in 1965 to promote school readiness and provide a comprehensive array of health, nutritional and social services to poverty-stricken preschoolers and their families. Head Start services include early learning, health, and family well-being. In 2021, the latest year with data available, Maine’s Head Start chapter operated 24 programs, with 240 classrooms. The federal government provides 80% of the annual cost to operate Head Start with the remaining 20% of funding from matching contributions. The Office of Head Start (OHS) administers grant funding and oversight to the local agencies that provide Head Start services in Maine and across the country.