The Administration for Children and Families, a division of the Department of Health and Human Services has awarded a $2.25 million grant for American Samoa’s Head Start Program. These funds are part of a Non-Competing Continuation first initiated in 2013. In announcing the grant award, Congresswoman Aumua Amata says she’s “pleased that the ACF continues to supply funding for this critical program. It has done wonders in getting our kids started for school.” Now in its fourth year, the American Samoa Head Start program promotes the school readiness of young children from low-income families through agencies in their local community. Both Head Start and Early Head Start programs offer a variety of service models, depending on the needs of the local community. Programs may be based in centers, schools, or family child care homes. Congresswoman Aumua Amata thanked officials at DHHS for providing this yearly funding for children who are just beginning their academic endeavors and acknowledged Milaneta Tinitali of the American Samoa Department of Education (ASDOE), Early Childhood Division for her hard work that made this grant possible.
