Educational Service Unit #13 awarded $2.8 million Head Start grant

SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb. – Head Start and Early Head Start programs in Scotts Bluff, Morrill, Kimball, Garden, Cheyenne and Deuel counties will be administered through Educational Service Unit #13.

The Administration for Children and Families approved ESU #13 for a $2.8 million grant last week. The award includes Head Start and Early Head Start services to nearly 350 children annually in the counties.

“Head Start and Early Head Start programs have been important to children and families in the Panhandle for many years,” administrator Jeff West said. “ESU #13 is pleased to be able to fill the important role of working with parents and schools in maintaining this resource.”

In September 2014, a funding opportunity announcement was posted by ACF. In early November,

Head Start Partners, including the schools in Bayard, Minatare, Scottsbluff, Morrill and Mitchell and Volunteers of America along with the Panhandle Public Health District and Community Action Partnership of Western Nebraska, applied for the grant in mid-November.

“We anticipate continuing an employment relationship with many of the current staff,” West said. “These people have a long term commitment to Head Start, and important relationships with parents and children.”

“The success of the ESU #13 application was clearly due to the collaborative efforts of so many in this region,” West said. “The collaboration continues as Sarah Ochoa, former Head Start director at CAPWN, has agreed to consult with us as we transition this program.”