Tester Delivers Nearly $2 Million for Butte Early Head Start

Grant will help AWARE’s Child Care Partnership provide childcare and early education opportunities

As part of his continued efforts to increase access to childcare and early education for families across Montana, U.S. Senator Jon Tester today announced $1,870,634 in Early Head Start funding for AWARE in Butte.

“As the coronavirus pandemic continues to impact folks across our state, we’ve got to ensure we’re looking out for the most vulnerable among us—low-income families and their children,” Tester said. “Early Head Start programs are a lifeline to Montana families, providing access to the critical educational, health, and social resources they need to thrive.”

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, Early Head Start offers pathways toward successful nutrition, health, and childrearing, including information on pre- and postnatal health to families.

A former elementary school teacher and school board member, Tester has been a longtime champion for Head Start programs in Montana. As a senior member on the Senate Appropriations Committee, he secured more than $10 billion in funding for Head Start programs nationwide in recent budget negotiations. In addition, he recently secured $1.8 million in Head Start funding in Butte, more than $1 million for Great Falls Early Head Start, and $1.3 million for Head Start in Lame Deer.