Senator Manchin announces $4.7 million grant to help southern WV families and children

PRINCETON, WV (WVNS) – Senator Joe Manchin approved a huge grant set to help families all over southern West Virginia.

More than $4.7 million is going to the Community Action of South East West Virginia’s Head Start Programs in Mercer and Summers Counties.

Senator Manchin announced the funding comes from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

The CASE-WV Head Start and Early Head Start Program Director of Mercer and Summers County, Tami Mitchell, explained to 59News that they serve around 415 children across both counties.

“We serve so many families. It’s a comprehensive program with children and families,” said Mitchell. “We like to give a hand up, not a handout [to] make sure that families and their children are ready. So we focus on school readiness, not just for the child, but for the families, so that parents know that they’re their children’s first and lifelong teacher.”

CASE-WV has received this grant since 1965.

The grant is something that CASE-WV will need to apply for renewal for in the next 5 years to continue helping families in southern West Virginia.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WVNS.