Amata Welcomes $5.7 Million in Grants for Head Start and Hospital

Washington, D.C. –Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is welcoming notice on Friday of two discretionary federal grants for childhood education/social services and hospital preparedness in American Samoa, both through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), for a total of about $5.7 million.

A major social services grant of $5,475,840 is for the Head Start program as designated to the American Samoa Department of Education led byTalauega Dr. Samasoni Asaeli, through the HHS Administration for Children and Families/Office of Head Start. This continuation grant supports children's growth from birth to age five providing early learning and development, health, and family well-being.

“Thank you to Early Childhood Education Director Milaneta Tinitali for her hard work and leadership on this grant for children’s services,” said Congresswoman Amata. “Federal funding is important to providing necessary services and improvements throughout our community, especially a major grant like this one.”

Another grant is for the American Samoa Government Department of Health, led by Director Motusa Nua. This new grant will provide $279,341 for efforts to improve patient outcomes, prepare to respond to large-scale emergencies, and enable rapid recovery through the “Hospital Preparedness Program.” The health services grant is through the HHS Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response.

“I appreciate everyone involved in these much-needed efforts and special congratulations to Faafouina Sagaga upon this grant,” said Aumua Amata. “As ever, thank you to HHS Secretary Xavier Becarra and these agencies for the support.”

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