Portageville organization receives $3 million to provide care for young children

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families (ACF) has announced the award of an Early Head Start grant to Delta Area Economic Opportunity Corporation. This grant improves access to high quality early learning opportunities for infants and toddlers in low-income families.

"As the mother of young children, early learning is a big part of my personal life," said HHS Secretary Sylvia M. Burwell. "We're awarding $3 million annually to Delta Area Economic Opportunity Corporation to help ensure more children in Portageville will benefit from high-quality early childhood efforts. As a result, we expect that 160 additional children a year will be able to access Early Head Start. That's a lot of young lives changed, and a lot of impact delivered."

"Research shows the first three years are critical for brain development, and Early Head Start provides high-quality early care and learning opportunities for our most vulnerable young children," said ACF Acting Assistant Secretary Mark Greenberg. "These grants will help support working families by providing a full-day, full-year program for young children."

Infants and toddlers in the new program will receive developmentally enriching caregiving, promoting their physical, cognitive, social and emotional development, and preparing them for future growth. In addition, this program will offer support to parents in their roles as primary caregivers and teachers, helping them move toward self-sufficiency.

The Early Head Start program requires significant support from the community, including matching funds, much of which is delivered in kind. These programs work most effectively when local businesses and community organizations work together to support these most vulnerable children. Public and private entities throughout the community are invited to embrace this new program and be part of the solution for early childhood care and education.