SHARING ON BEHALF OF CONGRESSMAN KILDEE'S OFFICE:
Contact: Tom Grandon, 202-774-6096, Tom.Grandon@mail.house.gov
Contact: Coty Kuschinsky, 989-249-8738, ckuschinsky@sisd.cc
Kildee Announces Over $31 Million for Early Childhood Education in Mid-Michigan Federal Grant Will Support Genesee and Saginaw Head Start Programs
FLINT—Congressman Dan Kildee (MI-08) today announced new federal grants to fund three Head Start education programs in Genesee and Saginaw counties.
The federal grants, totaling $31,895,224, were awarded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to improve early childhood education in mid-Michigan. This funding will support high-quality learning, as well as nutritious meals, health, and developmental screenings, oral and mental health support, and behavioral and special needs services. The following Head Start organizations will receive funding:
• $11,565,736 for Genesee County
• $11,287,292 for the Saginaw Intermediate School District
• $9,042,196 for Genesee Intermediate School District
“High-quality early education is one of the best investments we can make in our children’s future. Head Start programs play a vital role in setting our children up for success,” said Congressman Kildee. “I am proud to have secured this funding to support mid-Michigan children, and I will continue working in Congress to help the teachers, workers and volunteers who support these programs.”
“We express our sincere gratitude for Congressman Kildee's longstanding support of our Head Start program. Saginaw Intermediate School District Head Start enriches children's social and cognitive development by providing a range of essential services, including health, nutrition, and social support. The additional funding will enable us to continue delivering these vital services, setting children on a trajectory towards lifelong success,” said Dr. Jeffrey Collier, Superintendent of Saginaw Intermediate School District.
“We appreciate this ongoing support of critical programming for our youngest learners across Genesee County. We know that high quality early childhood programming is one of the most effective strategies to ensure future success for the next generation. Congressman Kildee’s continued advocacy for Flint and Genesee County truly has a positive impact on our community,” said Dr. Steven Tunnicliff, Superintendent of Genesee Intermediate School District
“Our Head Start program provides crucial services to children and families across Genesee County. This grant will help children develop school readiness skills and families achieve their own goals. We appreciate Congressman Kildee’s efforts to secure this funding,” said Ellen Ellenburg, Chairperson of Genesee County Board of Commissioners
Congressman Kildee has long-supported initiatives to improve outcomes for mid-Michigan children, including Head Start. In May, Kildee announced a grant for the University of Michigan-Flint to support university research to help prevent violence and improve the well-being of children. Last year, Kildee announced $10 million for Head Start early childhood education programs in mid-Michigan.
About Saginaw ISD
Saginaw Intermediate School District (ISD) is an educational service agency that provides effective and innovative leadership, services, resources, and programs throughout Saginaw County. Saginaw ISD provides career and technical education, early childhood, finance, human resources, instruction, pupil accounting, special education, technology, and transportation services. In addition, Saginaw ISD operates multiple educational programs to meet the unique needs of students ages birth to 26 across Saginaw County, including: Hartley Outdoor Education Center, Head Start/Early Head Start and Great Start to Readiness Programs, Great Lakes Bay Early College, Saginaw County Juvenile Detention Center School, and Special Education Center Programs.
Saginaw ISD serves 12 local school districts, five public school academies, and 22 non-public schools, with a total enrollment of approximately 26,000 students. Public school districts supported include: Birch Run Area Schools, Bridgeport-Spaulding Community School District, Carrollton Public Schools, Chesaning Union Schools, Frankenmuth School District, Freeland Community School District, Hemlock Public School District, Merrill Community Schools, Saginaw Public School District, Saginaw Township Community Schools, St. Charles Community Schools, and Swan Valley School District.