Federal Grant Award Summary

The Young Men's Christian Association of Central Maryland, Inc., doing business as The Y In Central Maryland, received a $3.98 million Head Start Project Grant (CFDA 93.600) from the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Head Start, effective January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2030. This five-year award funds comprehensive early childhood education and family support services designed to promote school readiness among low-income children in Maryland. The recipient will deliver educational, health, nutritional, social, and related services tailored to local community needs, with particular emphasis on serving families with children from birth through compulsory school age.

The Head Start program requires participating agencies to engage parents as partners and meet federal performance standards related to school readiness outcomes, health and family well-being metrics, and regulatory compliance. As a non-profit organization with extensive experience managing federal early childhood grants, the YMCA of Central Maryland will operate Head Start and Early Head Start programs serving both preschool-age children (primarily 3- and 4-year-olds) and younger children including infants, toddlers, and pregnant women. The award represents a continuation of the organization's longstanding commitment to supporting vulnerable and underserved populations through community-based education and development services across the Central Maryland region.