MARTINSBURG — Last week, U.S. Sens. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., and Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., members of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced $16,643,270 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for Head Start and Early Head Start programs across West Virginia.

According to an official press release, $5,133,451 was given to fund the Head Start and Early Head Start programs in the Eastern Panhandle through the Eastern Panhandle Instructional Cooperative.

According to the release, Manchin said that this investment is essential for the futures of young West Virginians.

“Investing in West Virginians at an early age is essential for a bright future. Head Start programs provide our youngest West Virginians with the skills and foundations they need to succeed throughout their education, and I am pleased HHS is investing in several Head Start and Early Head Start programs across West Virginia,” Manchin said. “I will continue to advocate for funding to ensure every child in West Virginia has the educational opportunities they deserve, regardless of their background.”

According to Heidi Bach-Arvin, director of the EPIC Early Head Start and Head Start programs for the Eastern Panhandle, the money, which was the result of a completed continuation grant, will go toward operations, technical assistance and training for the program.

“The $5,061,927 is for our program operations for both Early Head Start and Head Start. We were awarded $39,641 for Head Start training and technical assistance and then $31,883 for the Early Head Start training and technical assistance,” Bach-Arvin said. “We are very appreciative that this is available for our program. It truly is a valuable service. I have been with Head Start for 21 years, and I have been in this position since 2014,” Bach-Arvin said. “I really enjoy meeting the families. I don’t get to meet all of them, but I love to see the kids and work with staff. Being in the mix of things is my favorite part. We appreciate our community. If there are any questions or anyone in need of information, we want them to contact us.”

According to Bach-Arvin, Early Head Start in the Eastern Panhandle has 20 employees, Head Start has 91 and there are also part-time staff, which averages 60 employees.

Additionally, in the official press release, Capito said, “In West Virginia, we understand that a solid education and good health are fundamental to the success of our next generation. I have long been an advocate for Head Start funding, because I have seen the difference these programs can make in the lives of our youth. Investing in our children is a direct investment into our future, and I look forward to the difference this will make in West Virginia.”