WASHINGTON (Sept. 17, 2021) – U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and U.S. Representatives Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.) and Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.) are welcoming almost $17 million in federal funding to support Head Start services across New Mexico. Head Start promotes school readiness of children under the age of five from low-income families through education, health, social and other services. 

"Support for children needs to start during their earliest years,” said Heinrich. “I'm proud to welcome this critical federal support for Head Start and Early Head Start programs that set a strong foundation for New Mexico families and provide important education, health care, and child care services." 

“As a proud graduate of Head Start, I’m honored to welcome nearly $17 million in funding for New Mexico’s students,” said Luján. “Head Start has proven to be instrumental for students in their educational pursuits, while supporting hardworking families by providing them access to health and social services."

"This funding ensures Head Start will be able to continue their critical work, and guarantee the success of students and teachers, so that no one is left behind.” 

“I fell in love with learning as a Head Start baby and believe deeply that every child deserves to have that same opportunity,” said Leger Fernández. “This funding is life-changing. It will help our Head Start programs across our state prepare our young children for success, and help parents, especially mothers, get back to work knowing their kids are safe and learning. I feel so much hope for our children’s futures as we continue to increase funding for early childhood education in the Build Back Better plan.” 

“Our kids are our future. And, their education and well-being are the cornerstones of our thriving communities,” said Stansbury. “We must ensure that every child has equal access to a high-quality education, and I am proud to support this vital funding for the Head Start and Early Head Start programs to prepare our young people for success and lifelong learning.” 

The following awards have been awarded in New Mexico:

• $7,265,975 for Mid-West New Mexico Community Action Program for Head Start and Early Head Start projects.
• $2,115,899 for the Laguna Department of Education as part of the American Indian and Alaska Native Head Start program. To learn more about this program, click here.
• $1,477,815 for Youth Development, Inc. in Albuquerque, New Mexico, as part of Head Start Emergency Supplemental funding passed in the American Rescue Plan. To learn more about this funding, click here. 
• $1,436,207 for Clinica de Familia, Inc. in Las Cruces, New Mexico, through the Early Head Start-Child Care Partnerships initiative. To learn more about this initiative, click here.
• $2,035,187 for the Pueblo of Isleta as part of the American Indian and Alaska Native Head Start program. To learn more about this program, click here.
• $2,149,987 for the Santo Domingo Tribe’s Kewa Health Outreach Program. To learn more, click here.
• $221,466 for Alamo Navajo School Board, Inc. as part of the American Indian and Alaska Native Head Start program. To learn more about this program, click here.
• $152,270 for Ramah Navajo School Board as part of the American Indian and Alaska Native Head Start program. To learn more about this program, click here. 

The Office of Head Start (OHS), within the Administration of Children and Families of the Department of Health and Human Services, awards grants to public and private agencies on a competitive basis to provide these comprehensive services to specific communities. 

Head Start grantees provide the services as described in the Head Start Performance Standards and in accordance with the Head Start Act of 2007. The Office of Head Start is responsible for oversight of these grantees, to ensure the performance standards are met and the best quality of care is provided to the enrolled children. In addition, some cities, states and federal programs offer funding to expand Head Start and Early Head Start to additional children within their jurisdiction.