Bonamici announces $2.16M in funding for county Community Action Team’s Head Start Program

Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) announced that Community Action Team Inc. of Columbia County received $2.16 million in federal funding for its Head Start program. Head Start provides comprehensive early childhood education, health, nutrition, and parent involvement services to low-income children and their families. Community Action Team Inc. of Columbia County has been a Head Start provider for fifty years, since 1968.

"As a mother and a policymaker, I've seen children in our community grow and thrive when they have access to high-quality early childhood education like Community Action Team's Head Start program," said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. "This funding will help make sure that children in Columbia, Clatsop, and Tillamook Counties have the strong start they need to succeed in school and life. I will continue to advocate for funding for Head Start and Early Head Start programs so that every child has the opportunity to reach their full potential."

"The renewal will benefit 341 children and their families in the three counties we serve," said Joyce Ervin, Director of Child and Family Development Programs for Community Action Team. "Children will be ready to enter kindergarten ready to learn and their parents will be ready to support their child in the public school setting."

Congresswoman Bonamici voted for a $9.8 billion increase in funding for Head Start in the 2018 omnibus spending bill. Head Start grants are competitive grants issued in five-year terms. The project period for this grant is 2015-2020.