WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, Kweisi Mfume, Andy Harris, M.D., Anthony Brown, Jamie Raskin and David Trone (all Md.) today announced nearly $5.2 million in supplemental federal funding to bolster early childhood programs for low-income families across the state.

“Closing the learning gap, which was made significantly worse by the COVID-19 crisis, is essential as we start to turn the corner on this pandemic,” the lawmakers said. “This supplemental round of federal funding serves as a strong investment in future generations by expanding access to early learning and development initiatives for low-income and working families.  We will continue working to secure additional funding to build a strong foundation for high-quality and affordable childhood education throughout Maryland.” 

The award of $5,178,625 comes from the Office of Head Start through the Coronavirus Relief and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act, which Congress passed in December of 2020. The legislation included funding for $250 million in supplemental Fiscal Year 2020 awards for Head Start and Early Head Start grantees to meet emergency COVID-19 related needs, as well as increasing funding for the upcoming Fiscal Year 2021 by more than $135 million for a total of $10.75 billion nationwide. It supplements the nearly $12 million in early childhood education funding for Maryland announced by the lawmakers on April 1, 2021.

Funding includes:

Young Men's Christian Association of Frederick County*

2,761,843

YMCA of Central Maryland, Inc.

$495,395

Associated Catholic Charities Inc.

$273,279

Mayor & City Council of Baltimore City

$228,436

St. Vincent de Paul of Baltimore, Inc.

$203,756

Montgomery County

$195,028

Maryland Family Network, Inc.

$186,601

Head Start of Washington County, Inc.

$133,028

Maryland Rural Development Corporation

$121,291

Reginald S. Lourie Center for Infants & Young Children

$105,942

Allegany County Human Resources

$95,407

Garrett County Community Action Committee, Inc.

$86,980

Community Action Council of Howard County

$79,456

Easter Seals Serving DC MD VA

$65,611

Board Of Education of Calvert County, Inc.

$51,767

Board of Education of St. Mary's County

$49,660

Southern Maryland Tri-County Community Action Committee, Inc.

$45,145

 

Each year, Head Start and Early Head Start programs benefit more than a million families nationwide. More information on the programs and services can be found here

* $2,689,008 comes through regular appropriations.

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