Tester Announces $3.1 Million for Ravalli Head Start

Senator: “These Head Start funds are a lifeline to Montana families in the Bitterroot”

U.S. Senator Jon Tester today announced $3,131,136 for Ravalli Head Start for Head Start and Early Head Start programs.

“The coronavirus pandemic has upended life as we know it across our state and the disruption has been particularly difficult on the most vulnerable Montanans—low-income families and their children,” said Tester. “These Head Start funds are a lifeline to Montana families in the Bitterroot, providing access to critical health, educational, and social resources they need to ensure our kids have the opportunity to thrive.”

Head Start programs serve children between three and five years old, while Early Head Start serves pregnant women and families with children under the age of three. These grants are funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to provide better access to crucial resources for early childhood education. In addition to education, Head Start offers pathways toward successful nutrition, health, and childrearing, including information on pre- and postnatal health to families.

Earlier this week, Senator Tester announced nearly $3.6 million for Head Start in Billings, and more than $500,000 in Early Head Start funding for AWARE in Butte.

As a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee and a former teacher and school board member, Tester has been an unwavering advocate for education, particularly for low income families. In recent government funding negotiations, he secured more than $10 billion for Head Start Programs nationwide, an increase of more than $550 million over the previous year. He also recently announced a grant of nearly $1.5 million for Missoula Head Start and more than $1 million for Havre’s program.