Early Missouri Childhood Care Facilities Receive Large Grants to Improve Programs

According to a recently published State of Missouri Governor's press release, Missouri Governor Matt Blunt has just announced that a total of 13 early childhood facilities throughout the state have been awarded new and generous grants that will either begin or expand early childhood care during next year, the 2008 fiscal year.

Governor Blunt stated, "The education of our children continues to be my number one priority. Our children are eager to learn at an early age, and when both parents are working, families need safe, quality care for their children. These grants continue to help providers increase capacity to care for our youngest Missourians."

The grants to the 13 facilities are being awarded by the Missouri Department of Social Service's Children's Division. The grants come to a total of $948,999. This number is exactly $299,820 more than last year.

This grant brings the total amount from the Children's Division to $3,789,400 for the entire year. The grants will also go to facilities that help children from newborn to age two.

Missouri Department of Social Service's Director Deborah Scott said, "These grants ensure that facilities continue to maintain and improve the quality of care for Missouri's young children. Birth to age two is a time of tremendous learning. Our goal is to help facilities create environments that build a solid base for our children's future."

The Early Childhood Development, Education and Care Fund has been the main source of over a whopping $35 million in investments in early care and education through the department since 1999.

The grants that have been awarded to statewide childcare facilities go to increase the high quality of early childhood care for more than 6,00 children in the state of Missouri.

This year's grants for 2008 will provide the childcare facilities with the funding necessary to serve an additional 204 children from birth to age two in the state of Missouri.

The 13 additional facilities awarded grants during 2007-08 are: