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After a highly competitive application process, Western Carolina Community Action was awarded a 5-year $14 million Federal grant ($2.8 million per year) to expand their high-quality Head Start and Early Head Start programs in Henderson, Transylvania, Rutherford and Polk Counties.

WCCA currently operates 17 childcare centers in the four-county region and provides early childhood education services to over 500 children each weekday. The new grant will fund 99 additional childcare slots to serve infants and toddlers age six weeks to five years old and pregnant women, as well as bring up to 50 new early childhood education jobs to Western North Carolina. 

WCCA has targeted rural, economically challenged areas where the need for early childhood education services is greatest. WCCA will be establishing three new classrooms in Rutherford, five classrooms in Henderson, one in Transylvania and one in Polk County. 

Head Start and Early Head Start are federally funded programs that focus on healthy child development, family engagement, and promoting school readiness. The programs serve pregnant women, Foster kids, children with disabilities, and economically disadvantaged children age six weeks to five years old. Programs and services are free for qualifying children and families. 

If you would like to register your child or find out more information about WCCA’s Head Start and Early Head Start program, please call 828-693-1711 or visit WCCA.org.

 

Submitted by Terri Bowman