Head start and early head start

The Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families awarded $20,998,708 to Muskegon Area Intermediate School District on December 1, 2025, under the Head Start program (CFDA 93.600) to deliver early childhood education, health, nutritional, social, and family support services to low-income children and families in the Muskegon area.

The award funds comprehensive Head Start and Early Head Start services through November 30, 2030, serving children from birth through compulsory school age across multiple schools in Muskegon, Newaygo, Oceana, and northern Ottawa counties in Michigan. Muskegon Area Intermediate, a local government school district entity, will deliver educational programming designed to enhance cognitive, physical, behavioral, and social-emotional development while engaging parents as partners in service delivery. The recipient maintains active federal grant capacity, having previously received approximately $66 million in Head Start funding and currently holding an additional $10,466,511 Head Start award through the same completion date.

The five-year project period reflects the standard Head Start award cycle, during which the recipient's performance against established criteria will determine eligibility for renewal funding. Non-competing continuation awards are issued based on satisfactory progress, compliance with terms and conditions, and determination that continued funding serves the federal government's interest.