Payne Jr. announces $2.3 million federal grant for Montclair Child Development Center

MONTCLAIR, NJ — Congressman Donald M. Payne Jr. announced on April 26 a $2.3 million grant to be awarded to the Montclair Child Development Center. The Head Start and Early Head Start grant will support MCDC’s work to provide comprehensive childhood development services to predominantly low-income children and families, according to a press release from Payne’s office.. The Head Start and Early Head Start program is administered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

“Early Head Start and Head Start programs help set children’s foundation for development, learning and success in school and in life,” Payne said in the release. “This funding will support children in New Jersey and help them grow with the passion and focus to reach their full potential. I will continue to fight for these quality early learning services for children and their families.”

Founded in 1968, the Montclair Child Development Center meets the diverse needs of children by providing high-quality inclusive education for all Head Start and Early Head Start students, as well as nutrition and community engagement programs. Today, MCDC serves 490 children across Montclair, Bloomfield, Orange and West Orange.