Tester Secures More Than $1 Million for Rocky Boy Schools’ Head Start

Funding will provide critical resources for young families, promote early childhood development

U.S. Senator Jon Tester today announced that Rocky Boy Schools’ Head Start will receive $1,063,735 in U.S. Department of Health and Human Services funding as part of his continued efforts to expand access to childcare and early childhood education in Montana.

Tester secured the funding to provide education, health, and nutrition services to low-income children through the Children and Families’ American Indian and Alaska Native Head Start Grants Program.

“Investing in the next generation of Montanans from a young age is absolutely critical for our state’s future,” said Tester. “Rocky Boy Schools’ Head Start program provides Montana kids and their families with the tools and resources they need to succeed from day one, and I’m proud to lend my support to their efforts.”

The funding comes from the Administration for Children & Families, which oversees Head Start programs across Montana. Rocky Boy Schools’ Head Start and Early Head Start programs offer culturally responsive preschool and infant care options for parents who need daycare for their children, information for young families on pregnancy and fetal development, and school readiness to make sure Montana kids are prepared for kindergarten.

As a former elementary school teacher and school board member, and senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Tester has been a longtime champion for Head Start programs in Montana. He recently secured $1.8 million in Head Start funding in Butte, $1.3 million for Head Start in Lame Deer, and more than $1.1 million for Head Start in Havre.