Maryland Congressional Delegation Announces Nearly $5.2 Million in Supplemental Early Childhood Education Funding

Press Release

WASHINGTON, DC - Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05), Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen, and Congressmen Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, Kweisi Mfume, Andy Harris, M.D., Anthony Brown, Jamie Raskin, and David Trone today announced nearly $5.2 million in supplemental federal funding to bolster early childhood programs for low-income families across the state.

"Closing the learning gap, which was made significantly worse by the COVID-19 crisis, is essential as we start to turn the corner on this pandemic," the lawmakers said."This supplemental round of federal funding serves as a strong investment in future generations by expanding access to early learning and development initiatives for low-income and working families. We will continue working to secure additional funding to build a strong foundation for high-quality and affordable childhood education throughout Maryland."

The award of $5,178,625 comes from the Office of Head Start through the Coronavirus Relief and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act, which Congress passed in December of 2020. The legislation included funding for $250 million in supplemental Fiscal Year 2020 awards for Head Start and Early Head Start grantees to meet emergency COVID-19 related needs, as well as increasing funding for the upcoming Fiscal Year 2021 by more than $135 million for a total of $10.75 billion nationwide. It supplements the nearly $12 million in early childhood education funding for Maryland announced by the lawmakerson April 1, 2021.

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