"This is good news for young children and families in Southwest Arkansas who will benefit from the critical services made available though this grant," Lincoln said.  "The educational and health care services provided through Head Start are vital to early childhood development and I couldn't be more pleased this funding has been approved."  

“The Southwest Arkansas Development Council, through its Head Start program, provides invaluable services to ensure our children stay on the right track,” Pryor said.  “As a result of this grant, hundreds of children in Texarkana will continue to acquire the developmental skills they need to enter kindergarten ready and able to learn.”

“Head Start offers critical educational development programs to children and families, and I am proud to learn that the Southwest Arkansas Development Council in Texarkana will once again receive over $2.5 million to continue their important services,” said Ross. “Head Start’s individualized services in areas ranging from education to nutrition and parental involvement training lay the necessary foundation to a positive future for many children. Without the unique programs offered by Head Start, many children would be at a stark disadvantage when starting grade school.”

The Head Start program, administered by the Department of Health and Human Services, works with low-income children and parents, with the overall goal of increasing school readiness of young children in low-income families. Head Start works with children from birth to age 5, pregnant women, and their families. 

The Southwest Arkansas Development Council serves 454 children and their families. The award is a non-competing continuation grant that will go into effect January 1, 2004.