CSKT gets $2.8 million for Head Start

U.S. Senator Jon Tester announced Thursday that the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes will receive more than $2.8 million to fund their Head Start and Early Head Start Programs which will provide education, health, and nutrition services to low-income children.

The $2,824,832 grant provides CSKT with tools to support early education initiatives that specifically cater to the needs of Native American children. The funding was secured through the Children and Families’ American Indian and Alaska Native Head Start Grants Program.

“Every child deserves a chance at success, and Head Start often makes the difference for Montana kids,” said Tester, a member of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee. “Early childhood development provides students with a leg up and puts them on the path towards success. We owe our kids every opportunity to grow, learn and thrive—that’s what Head Start does.”

Head Start provides Pre-K preparation, daily meals, and advanced health screenings to children ages 3 through kindergarten. Early Head Start provides similar services to children under the age of 3, in addition to social services like GED prep for parents and classrooms that are open 19 hours per day, seven days a week to ensure parents who work all hours can access quality affordable childcare.