Federal Grant Award Summary

The Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians received a $352,809 Project Grant award from the Department of Health and Human Services' Office of Head Start (CFDA 93.600) effective May 1, 2026, through April 30, 2031. This AIAN (American Indian and Alaska Native) Head Start award funds comprehensive early childhood education and family support services designed to promote school readiness among low-income children and families within the tribe's service area in Maine. The award supports Head Start preschool programming for three- and four-year-old children, delivering services across core areas including early learning instruction, health and nutritional support, social-emotional development programming, and family engagement initiatives tailored to the community's needs.

As a tribal government entity, the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians will leverage this five-year funding period to provide integrated educational and support services to enrolled Head Start participants and their families. Recipients of Head Start funding are required to provide a 20 percent non-federal match and must demonstrate compliance with federal performance standards related to school readiness outcomes, health and family well-being metrics, and applicable federal regulations. The award supports the tribe's broader portfolio of federal community development and social services programming while advancing early childhood development outcomes within the American Indian community.