Amata Welcomes Over $4.5 Million Grant for Head Start

Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata welcomed official notice of $4,547,979 for American Samoa’s Head Start program, a major grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

This significant funding for Head Start is a discretionary grant distributed through the Administration for Children and Families (ACF). These continuation funds help the American Samoa Department of Education (ASDOE) administer programs for early childhood education, assisting low-income children and families.

“Thank you, especially to Milaneta Tinitali for working on these projects, along with everyone involved in the Head Start program,” Aumua Amata said. “Thank you to all of our hardworking educators at ASDOE.”

“This program is designed to help children begin their school years well, and have the necessary learning momentum early,” she continued. “Congratulations to Director of Education Talauega Dr. Samasoni Asaeli upon obtaining these resources.”

Congress established Head Start and appropriates funds annually for the program to help children succeed in school and in life, focused on children under 5 years old and their early reading and math skills. HHS is headed by Secretary Xavier Becerra, and ACF by Assistant Secretary January Contreras.

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