$5.6M Head Start Grant Renewed for Early Childhood Education

Washtenaw County, Mich. – The Office of Head Start (OHS), a part of the federal Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families, renewed a $5.6 million grant to the Washtenaw Intermediate School District (WISD), which will allow the district to continue providing Head Start preschool for 3- and 4-year-old students, Early Head Start center-based classrooms for 18-36 months, and Early Head Start home-based home visiting for families with children ages birth to 3. 

The grant designates the WISD as the fiduciary agent and coordinator of Head Start and Early Head Start programs. This means the WISD offers some programming to families and children directly, such as Early Head Start, and then also works with local public schools and community-based organizations that provide high-quality Head Start preschool at no cost to families. 

“We are extremely grateful that the federal administration continues to see the value of Head Start and what it offers to children and families,” shared Dr. Edward Manuszak II, Executive Director for Early Childhood. “We are excited to continue offering Head Start and Early Head Start to 441 children and their families across Washtenaw County this coming year.” 

Young learners residing within the boundaries of the nine public school districts within the WISD’s service area can qualify for Early Head Start and Head Start services and programs: Ann Arbor Public Schools, Chelsea School District, Dexter Community Schools, Lincoln Consolidated Schools. Manchester Community Schools, Milan Area Schools, Saline Area Schools, Whitmore Lake Public Schools, and Ypsilanti Community Schools.

Families interested in high-quality preschool 3- and 4-year-olds at no cost later this fall can visit www.HelpMeGrowWashtenaw.org to learn more and apply.