Head Start money available in grant

Special to the Outlook

As part of the American Rescue Plan, local Head Start programs are entitled to their share of $16,831,771. Rep. Al Lawson recently released a reminder about the availability of the grant funding.

“This investment will help our local Head Start programs continue preparing Florida’s kids for success,” Lawson said. “It will also help parents get back to work knowing their kids are safe and cared for.”

The breakdown of funding for local Head Start Programs in Lawson’s district are: Kids Incorporated of the Big Bend, $383,483; Florida State University, $81,362; and Gadsden County Board of Education, $271,606.

Head Start funding for multiple locations in the districts are:

Episcopal Children’s Services, $3,533,265; Lutheran Services Florida, Inc., $6,122,491; Redlands Christian Migrant Association, $2,335,568; Suwannee Valley Community Coordinated Child Care, Inc., $496,548; East Coast Migrant Head Start Project; $3,155,171; and Capital Area Community Action Agency, Inc., $452,277.

According to a release from Lawson’s office, the Head Start funding is in addition to $2,473,487,137 that was allocated to help Florida reopen child care providers safely, keep workers on payroll and lower costs for families. 

In an earlier release, Lawson also reminded eligible families that starting July 15 they will begin collecting a monthly Child Tax Credit payments as much as $300 per month per child.

Lawson estimated that about 45,700 eligible families living in his district will receive the credit through December.

 “Child Tax Credit Monthly payments will help set America’s children up for success and put more money in the pockets of hardworking parents to help pay for childcare or put gas in the car,” Lawson said. “The Child Tax Credit is a proven tool that will help lift families out of poverty.”

Families will get their remaining expanded Child Tax Credit when they file their 2021 tax return. Families will qualify for a full credit if their income is below $75,000 for single filers, $112,000 for people filing as head of household, or $150,000 for people who are married and filing jointly.

 Families who got their refunds from the IRS through direct deposit will get these payments in their bank account around the 15th of every month until the end of 2021. People who don’t use direct deposit will receive their payment by mail around the same time.