New Hanover County Schools
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New Hanover County Schools (NHCS) has been awarded a $1.8 million grant to manage New Hanover County's Head Start program. Under the federal grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, NHCS will provide services to 260 economically disadvantaged children at the Dorothy B. Johnson Pre-Kindergarten Center. The Head Start program was previously operated by New Hanover County Community Action, Inc. and subsequently by the federally contracted transition agency Community Development Institute (CDI). The district will provide an additional $464,025 in-kind contribution to support the program.
"This is a major accomplishment for our district and it shows our commitment to offering a high-quality early education program that positively impacts the children of this community," said Superintendent Dr. Tim Markley. "It is our priority to give our students the best possible start in life by preparing them for success in elementary school and beyond.”
The population to be served includes families with 3 and 4 year old children who are designated as low income and who reside in New Hanover County. NHCS will ensure that the children currently enrolled who are eligible will continue to receive services.
As a result of receiving the grant, NHCS will work collaboratively with other agencies and non-profits to ensure that all eligible children are provided a seamless transition into kindergarten. The families will be engaged in the "Parents as Teachers Program" to ensure they are provided the tools to help their children succeed in school.
Source: NHCS Public Relations
