Tester Delivers $1.1 Million for Butte Kids

Senator Secures Major Investment for Early Head Start

(U.S. Senate) – U.S. Senator Jon Tester today secured a $1.1 million grant to support early education and childcare at Early Head Start in Butte.

“Montana’s children are our future,” said Tester, a former teacher, and school board member. “Public education is the backbone of our economy and by making meaningful investments in early education we can ensure Butte’s kids have the opportunity to reach their full potential.”

The grant is awarded to Butte’s AWARE Early Head Start Program, which promotes social, emotional and developmental growth in children from birth to age three by providing education, health services, and nutritional services to low-income children.

“It’s exciting to hear that AWARE’s Early Head Start program received a grant renewal to continue delivering such important services to our community,” said Melinda Wade Corso, AWARE Early Childhood Services Director. “Staff are excited to move forward with their work and make positive, lasting changes for so many families in our state.”

“We’d like to thank Senator Tester for his tireless advocacy of Early Head Start programs,” said Richard Saravalli, AWARE Chief Executive Officer. “His acknowledgment of early intervention is incredibly beneficial and important to the health of our families and their communities.”

The funding comes after Tester worked with Republicans and Democrats to secure $9.8 billion for Head Start initiatives across the country this year. Tester was the only member of the Montana delegation to vote for the funding.

Tester has also secured similar grants for the Helena, Anaconda, Great Falls, Vaughn, Conrad, Shelby, Cut Bank and CSKT Head Start initiatives in the last year.