Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) is pleased to announce that Fort Valley State University will receive a $3,700,656 grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services through the Head Start Program. These grants support local community organizations that seek to improve school readiness and provide early childhood services for low-income families with young children.

“The data shows us that investing in our community’s children at a young age supports greater success later in life. Helping families with young children through early learning, health, nutrition, and other support services lays a strong foundation for their success in school and beyond,” said Congressman Bishop. “As a senior member of the U.S. House Appropriations Committee, I will continue to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to fully fund Head Start so that it can support FVSU and other organizations working throughout Middle and Southwest Georgia as well as across the country who are working hard to build a brighter future.”

“Fort Valley State University is proud to be the only HBCU grantee in the nation operating a Head Start and Early Head Start program. Our programs continually assist families in middle Georgia empower the possible by providing high-quality early childhood education and comprehensive services to children of low-income families,” said Keith Howard, Ph.D., vice president of Land Grant Affairs and dean of the College of Agriculture, Family Sciences and Technology at FVSU. “Thank you to Congressman Sanford Bishop for all of your support to FVSU and the Head Start program. The awarding of a $3.7 million grant to our programs by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will benefit young children by providing them a strong foundation for future academic success, early learning opportunities, enhanced health screenings, and nutritious meals. Georgia families will benefit through access to parenting classes, job training, and support services that promote well-being and stability.”

Fort Valley State University operates five Head Start Centers across Georgia, with one center in Taylor County, one center in Macon County, and two centers in Dooly County as well as a center in Crisp County.

Head Start was first launched in 1965 under President Lyndon B. Johnson and is administered through the Administration for Children and Families. Since then, it has served over 38 million children. HHS continues to review, evaluate, and report on the program’s successes. Services provided through the program include educational preparation and child wellness initiatives. Head Start partners with families to empower them in their role as essential facilitators of their child’s education.