Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata welcomed official notice of $5,352,840 for American Samoa’s Head Start program, a major grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

Congress established Head Start, and appropriates funds annually for the program to help children succeed in school and in life, focused on children under 5 years old and their early reading and math skills. This federal funding for Head Start is distributed through the Administration for Children and Families (ACF). The continuous support helps the American Samoa Department of Education (ASDOE), cultivate programs for early K-12 education, and assisting lower income communities.

 “I would like to thank Milaneta Tinitali for working on these projects, and directing Early Childhood Education, along with everyone involved in the Head Start program,” Aumua Amata said. “Thank you also to all of our hardworking educators at ASDOE.”

 “Head Start is designed to help children start well to improve their educational journey with that necessary learning momentum early,” she continued. “Congratulations to Director of Education Talauega Dr. Samasoni Asaeli upon obtaining these resources.”

HHS is headed by Secretary Xavier Becerra, and ACF by Assistant Secretary January Contreras.