Head start and early head start

The Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families awarded McDowell County Board of Education $2,358,873 on July 1, 2026, under the Head Start program (CFDA 93.600) to deliver early childhood education and family support services in North Carolina through June 30, 2031.

Head Start promotes school readiness by enhancing the cognitive, physical, behavioral, and social-emotional development of children through educational, health, nutritional, social, and other services. Local Head Start programs serve preschool-aged children and Early Head Start programs serve infants, toddlers, and pregnant women. McDowell County Board of Education's Head Start Division will deliver these core services—early learning, health, and family well-being support—to low-income families in McDowell County, with parent engagement as a central element of the program design.

The award is structured as a five-year project grant. McDowell County Board of Education operates as the prime recipient, with the Head Start Division as the operating entity. The recipient is measured against criteria that determine eligibility for renewal; failure to meet criteria makes the service area and funding available through competition. Non-competing continuations depend on appropriation availability, satisfactory progress, compliance with terms and conditions, and a federal determination that continuation is in the government's interest.