NEICAC gets a $1.5 million Head Start grant

Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer visited a Head Start classroom in Oelwein earlier this year

Northeast Iowa Community Action Corporation will receive a $1,569,870 grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to fund its Head Start early childhood education services.

Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer made the announcement on Tuesday, saying "We know that the sooner we get kids learning, the better chance they have being successful throughout their schooling and their lives. That's why programs like Head Start are so incredibly critical.

Northeast Iowa Community Action Corporation serves low-income families in Allamakee, Bremer, Chickasaw, Clayton, Fayette, Howard and Winneshiek counties.  It operates 15 Head Start classrooms in Cresco, Decorah, Guttenberg, Monona, New Hampton, Oelwein (three programs), Postville (three programs), Waukon (two programs), Waverly, and West Union.