Community Spotlight Community Spotlight: Manatee Community Action Agency Receives Five-Year, $4.98 Million Annual Head Start Grant

BRADENTON — Manatee Community Action Agency, Inc. (MCAA) has received a five-year, $4.98 million annual grant that will enable the agency to expand its Head Start and Early Head Start services, including adding before and after school hours to accommodate working parents, and increasing enrollment of infants and toddlers.

The Department of Health and Human Services grant encompasses a period from July 1, 2015, to June 30, 2020. The grant covers 80 percent of the costs to operate the Head Start and Early Head Start programs each year. MCAA is required to provide a 20% match in cash, services and/or in-kind donations.

“This grant is a gift to our community that will pay dividends for years to come,” said Barbara Patten, MCAA Executive Director. “Reading proficiency by the end of third grade is a key predictor of high school graduation and career success. In line with the Grade Level Reading Campaign taking place in this community, and communities across the country, this grant helps ensure that we are preparing our children for success. MCAA will be able to continue to provide excellent, and affordable early childhood education.”

Head Start and Early Head Start programs provide early education to children from birth to five years of age, whose families live at or below the poverty level, who are homeless, whose families receive public assistance, to children in foster care, and to children with disabilities. MCAA has operated Head Start and Early Head Start programs continuously since 1968.

In line with the grant, MCAA is increasing the number of Early Head Start slots available for children ages six weeks to 36 months to 96 from 50, and decreasing the number of Head Start program spaces from 616 to 506, for children ages three to five.

“The community has a much greater need for programs for infants and toddlers,” Patten said. In prior years, MCAA has had waiting lists for the Early Head Start program, including a list of 200 infants and toddlers this past school year.

When the new school year begins September 1, all Head Start programs will be expanded to a full six-hour day. For the first time, to accommodate working parents, several Head Start sites will also offer before care, starting at 6:30 a.m., and after care until 5:30 p.m.

“We want parents to be able to focus on their work because they are confident that their children are enrolled in high quality educational programs that are safe and nurturing,” Patten said. “Often, finding quality child care is not cost effective for working parents.”

MCAA is currently accepting enrollment applications for all of its early education programs. The agency is also beefing up staff, including hiring experienced infant and toddler caregivers, and teacher assistants. For a complete list of available positions go to www.manateecaa.org.

For an application, or to learn more about MCAA’s Head Start, Early Head Start and other early education programs, members of the public can visit www.manateecaa.org or call Kathy Patreka at (941) 750-6667 ext. 7001

Manatee Community Action Agency’s mission is to help people in our community, and change lives through education, partnerships, and the delivery of quality services. The organization offers 10 programs designed to strengthen families, and help them achieve sustainable self-sufficiency.