Schatz Announces More Than $2 Million For Early Childhood Education In Maui County

Honolulu, HI – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) today announced more than $2 million from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to help fund Head Start programs in Maui County.  Head Start is a federal early childhood education program that promotes the school readiness of children from low-income families by enhancing their cognitive, social, and emotional development.

“We know that when we prepare our kids for school, they have a better shot at succeeding,” Senator Schatz said.  “More than 3,000 children in Hawai‘i participate in Head Start programs.  This important funding will make sure these early childhood education programs in Maui County can continue to operate and give our kids a head start in life.”

The HHS grant of $2,058,579 will help fund Head Start programs through the Maui Economic Opportunity, Inc.  The Maui Economic Opportunity, Inc. operates 16 Head Start centers on Maui, Molokai, and Lanai.  Services at these centers include health, oral health, nutrition, social, early childhood education, special needs (coordinated with the Department of Education), family involvement and training, and mental health and transition.

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