FEDERAL AWARD HELPS EXPAND HEAD START

WASHINGTON - Head Start services in the Lead Belt area will be expanded due to a $142,716 financial assistance award to the East Missouri Action Agency.

The award, announced this week by U.S. Rep. Bill Emerson, will provide for an additional Head Start classroom in Bonne Terre and new home-based programs in Washington and Iron counties, along with upgrades to existing facilities.

Head Start prepares children from disadvantaged homes to enter school and provides them with information about health, nutrition and social skills. With the expansion, enrollment in the eight-county Southeast Missouri region will increase to 448 children.

The EMAA administers the Head Start program in Southeast Missouri. "We're really happy about this grant," EMAA Head Start Director Margaret Miller said. "We have wanted and needed this expansion for months."

The grant comes from the Department of Health and Human Services.