Opportunities for Otsego Awarded Grant

Head Start and Early Head Start were awarded $225,000 through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009: Early Learning Mentor Coaches grant. Funds will support two mentors who will provide coaching, training, and technical assistance to Head Start teachers and Early Head Start home visitors.

"This award will elevate the level of services delivered to the children and families we serve and will be instrumental in staff development. Our program is privileged to be the recipient of this competitive grant to support and expand the Head Start philosophies and outcomes for our sites throughout Otsego County.", Head Start Director Tanya Shalor said in the news release.

The Early Learning Mentoring project aims to improve the quality of teaching, promote positive and sustained outcomes for children, and enhance career development for teaching staff and home visitors. The two new Mentors are scheduled to begin work mid-December.

OFO was one of only 150 Head Start programs nation-wide to receive this award.