Ravalli County Head Start Programs to Receive More than $3 Million Thanks to Tester’s Efforts

$3,110,164 grant will provide education and nutritional services for kids, families

(U.S. Senate) – As part of his ongoing efforts to support early childhood education, U.S. Senator Jon Tester today announced a $3.1 million grant for early childhood education in Ravalli County.

The $3,110,164 grant will allow the Ravalli County Head Start and Early Head Start Programs to continue providing education, health, and nutrition services to more than 200 local children and their families.

“Head Start provides families with critical educational, physical, and emotional support,” Tester said. “This grant is an investment in Montana’s kids, providing them with the support they need to become tomorrow’s leaders.”

Funding for the grant comes from the Administration for Children & Families, which oversees Head Start and Early Head Start Programs across Montana. The Ravalli County Head Start program provides educational enrichment to low-income children between the ages of three and five, and the Early Head Start Program provides these services to children three and younger.

As a former elementary school teacher and school board member, Tester has continually championed efforts to support Head Start. In his role on the Senate Appropriations Committee, he worked with Republicans and Democrats to secure nearly $10 billion for Head Start initiatives across the U.S. in 2019.

Just this year, Tester has announced three other grants for Head Start programs across Montana:

• $1.1 million for Eastern Montana
• $1.4 million for the Bozeman area
• $1.1 million for Central Montana