Press Releases

LOWELL, MA - Today, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (D-MA-03) announced that Montachusett Opportunity Council and Community Teamwork, Inc are the recipients of $6,219,880 in Head Start grants from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

The first grant comes from the Administration for Children and Families at the Office of Head Start for Montachusett Opportunity Council, Inc of Fitchburg, MA for the amount of $2,628,500. The second grant is awarded to Community Teamwork, Inc of Lowell, MA and comes in the amount of $3,591,380.

“Head Start provides an invaluable investment in our communities starting with our earliest learners. As a mom of two young daughters, I know how important investments in early learning are and couldn’t be more proud of the Head Start programs in our community which are models of excellence. Congratulations to the teams in Lowell and Fitchburg for their work in securing this funding. I will always be a fierce advocate for greater Head Start resources for our community,” said Congresswoman Trahan.

"We want to thank Congresswoman Trahan for her continued support and advocacy for the critical resources directed towards early education and care that serves as both a strong foundation for children as well as an economic driver for our workforce,” said Kevin Reed, Executive Director of the Montachusett Opportunity Council. 

“This influx of Early Head Start funding will allow Community Teamwork to provide more children in our community with a high-quality pre-school experience, which can have a significant and lasting impact on the children enrolled.  These funds will also help to ensure that our child care workers are well-trained and compensated for providing outstanding educational programming to our children.  Thanks to the support of Congress, we are working with partners across our community to give all of our children the best chance for success in school and beyond”, said Karen Frederick, CEO, Community Teamwork.

Background: 

Head Start and Early Head Start (EHS) are vital federal programs that promote school readiness for children ages birth to five by enhancing their cognitive, social and emotional development. Services also include health, nutrition, social services, and early childhood education for low income children and their families. Head Start grants are awarded directly to public or private non-profit organizations, including community-based and faith-based organizations, or for-profit agencies within a community that wish to compete for funds.

Earlier this year, Congresswoman Trahan voted in favor of H.R. 2740, a “minibus” package of fiscal year 2020 appropriations bills that passed the House which, among many other things, provided $11.5 billion in funding for Head Start – a $1.5 billion increase, which Rep. Trahan helped fight for. More information about that bill, and other Massachusetts priorities included in it, can be found here.  

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