UMass Donahue Institute receives five-year, $14 million contract for Head Start training and technical assistance across New England
Contract builds on an established history of assistance to the national early childhood program
BOSTON -The UMass Donahue Institute has been awarded a five-year, $14 million contract to provide training and technical assistance to Head Start and Early Head Start programs for all of New England. The Institute will work with local Head Start programs on their educational, health and family services as well as management systems to strengthen their ability to serve children and their families.
Head Start and Early Head Start programs support the comprehensive development of children from birth to age five in centers, child care partner locations and in their own homes. Early Head Start also provides services to pregnant women. Head Start and Early Head Start services include early learning, health and family well-being.
``We are very proud that the University of Massachusetts has emerged as one of the national leaders in providing training and technical assistance to Head Start programs,’’ said UMass President Marty Meehan. ``The Donahue Institute’s work – which complements the early childhood programs at UMass Boston and UMass Amherst –is another outstanding example of the impact that UMass is having, not just in Massachusetts but across all of New England.’’
“We are delighted and honored to receive this award,” said J. Lynn Griesemer, executive director of the UMass Donahue Institute. “We have been the predominant provider of training and technical assistance to Head Start in this region for the past 12 years and have gained an outstanding reputation.”
The contract was awarded by the Office of Head Start in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Nationally, Head Start/Early Head Start is divided into 12 regions. UMass Donahue Institute will be the sole provider of training and technical assistance to Region 1, which includes Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine.
“We are very excited to continue supporting Head Start programs throughout New England and helping them to improve the wonderful work they already do,” said Bess Emanuel, Head Start regional training and technical assistance coordinator with the UMass Donahue Institute.
“Through consultation, coaching and training, our highly experienced staff will be able to assist Head Start directors, managers and staff in this essential service for children and families,” said Ruth-Ann Rasbold, UMass Donahue Institute’s regional early childhood manager.
The University of Massachusetts Donahue Institute is the public service, outreach and economic development group of the University of Massachusetts President's Office. Established in 1971, the Institute strives to connect the Commonwealth with the resources of the University, bridging theory and innovation with real world public and private sector applications.
July 08, 2015
