Davids Announces New Grant to Strengthen Head Start Programs in Anderson, Miami Counties

Today, Representative Sharice Davids announced that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has awarded the East Central Kansas Economic Opportunity Corporation’s (ECKAN) Head Start program with a new federal grant. The $3.7 million will be used to continue providing early education opportunities and family support services to children and families in Andreson and Miami Counties.

“Children who participate in Head Start programs receive countless benefits — they’re healthier, have better social skills, and are more likely to graduate high school and achieve further education,” said Davids. “That’s why I’m doing what I can to make education at every stage more affordable and accessible because when we invest in our kids, we’re strengthening our entire community.”

“We’re excited that our refunding application has been approved by the Office of Head Start for the 2026–2027 year,” said Crystal Anderson, CEO, ECKAN. “At ECKAN, we’re proud to continue supporting children and families and helping them thrive, and we’re grateful for the support of Sharice Davids in advancing this important work.”

Davids has long fought to protect education and child care in Kansas and has been a fierce critic of the administration’s efforts to defund and reorganize the Department of Education. She has visited multiple Head Start programs in Kansas and led multiple pieces of bipartisan legislation to allow Kansas families to save on high child care expenses and live more affordably.

Students in early childhood education programs are 25 percent more likely to graduate high school and are four times more likely to complete a bachelor’s degree in comparison to non-Head Start students. Children in Head Start are also healthier and have better social and emotional skills. In adulthood, statistics show that former Head Start students experience greater economic stability and earn higher wages.