Dayton Reporter

Congressman Mike Turner (OH-10) has declared the allotment of over $2.5 million in federal funds to Miami Valley Child Development Centers (MVCDC). This funding, under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Fiscal Year 2023 Early Head Start–Child Care Partnerships (EHS-CCP) grant program, will benefit more than 2,500 families in Turner's district.

Turner lauded MVCDC for its longstanding service to low-income children and families since the inception of Head Start. "Miami Valley Child Development Centers has been serving low-income children and families since the inception of Head Start, and I am glad that they have received these federal funds to continue as the Dayton area’s grantee for this essential program," said Turner. He further emphasized the importance of MVCDC's work in providing a solid foundation for young people in their community. "MVCDC’s work is critical to ensuring that young people in our community get a great start in life and can begin kindergarten on track," Turner added. The congressman also expressed his confidence that the grant would significantly enhance MVCDC's resources to improve lives in the Miami Valley. "This grant will make certain that MVCDC has the resources they need to improve the lives of families and children in the Miami Valley," concluded Turner.

According to a press release from Congressman Turner, he advocated for MVCDC during November 2023 by submitting a letter endorsing their application to continue receiving grants for Head Start and Early Head Start services in Montgomery, Clark, and Madison Counties. The press release states that these funds will enable MVCDC to collaborate with school districts, delivering crucial state Early Childhood Education initiatives that promote financial stability and independence among families.

The press release further highlights that MVCDC is recognized as the largest Head Start provider in Dayton, annually supporting over 2,500 families through a comprehensive approach encompassing parent involvement, health, nutrition, social competency, and literacy and numeracy development. MVCDC has been recognized for its excellence, receiving expansion funding including a recent $9 million grant from the national Office of Head Start to enhance services at a new, state-of-the-art early learning center in an historically under-resourced neighborhood in East Dayton.

The Office of Early Childhood Development explains that the EHS-CCP initiative combines Early Head Start and child care resources. This layered funding approach offers comprehensive services to low-income infants, toddlers, and their families, focusing on developmental support and preparing them for the transition into Head Start and preschool.

In March 2018, according to another press release from Turner, he advocated for MVCDC's successful $25 million grant application to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. MVCDC received the full award on September 15, 2023, following an initial installment of $12.3 million in August 2018.