Payne, Jr. Announces $2.3M Head Start and Early Head Start Grant for Montclair Child Development Center

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Donald M. Payne, Jr. (NJ-10) today announced that the Montclair Child Development Center Inc. (MCDC) in Montclair, New Jersey has been awarded a $2.3 million Head Start and Early Head Start grant to provide comprehensive childhood development services to predominantly low-income children and families. The Head Start and Early Head Start program is administered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

“We all know how important it is to have Early Head Start and Head Start programs to give disadvantaged children the extra boost they need to succeed,” said Congressman Payne, Jr. “This funding will help ensure the Montclair Child Development Center, Inc. has the tools to continue providing services essential to making a profound difference in the lives of the children in New Jersey’s 10th Congressional District.”

“The grant we received is a large portion of a $4.6 million Head Start and Early Head Start annual grant,” said Tanya Poteat, Executive Director of the Montclair Child Development Center. “This funding helps us to continue much needed preschool education and related services to 490 children and families living in the towns of Montclair, Bloomfield, Orange and West Orange. We are grateful for the continued support of Senators Menendez and Booker and Congressman Payne, Jr.”

Founded in 1968, the Montclair Child Development Center Inc. meets the diverse needs of children by providing high-quality inclusive education for all Head Start and Early Start students, as well as nutrition and community engagement programs. Today, MCDC serves 490 children across 4 municipalities.