Dive Brief:
- As part of its response to the water contamination crisis in Flint, Michigan, HHS announced Wednesday that it is immediately expanding Head Start and Early Head Start services.
- HHS says its Office of Head Start is working directly with the agencies already providing Head Start and Early Head Start services to Flint children and their families. These programs provide early education as well as health and well-being services.
- The program expansion is being paid for by one-time emergency funds of $3.6 million.
Dive Insight:
The intent of the expansion is to help children who were exposed to lead by mitigating the effects.
“Early education is one of the most important things we can do to help children overcome the effects of lead,” said Dr. Nicole Lurie, HHS Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, in a prepared statement.
“This funding for Head Start and Early Head Start will allow Flint’s existing Head Start programs to provide enhanced and expanded services, including additional classrooms, home visiting support, and transportation for families who need to visit the doctor.”
It was unclear from the announcement what percentage of the affected children will be accommodated by this expansion. It specifies that three additional classrooms will serve 51 children "in most affected areas," and that it will serve 78 preschoolers in the school’s special education program, and 24 additional children in the home-based model.
A statement from U.S Senator Gary Peters notes that he is working to pass legislation "to help even more Flint kids enroll in Head Start programs and access good nutrition, health screenings, and early education.”