Today, Rep. Henry Cuellar announced that the Department of Health and Human Service’s Office of Head Start awarded a $17 million grant to the Texas Migrant Council (TMC) for the expansion of the Migrant and Seasonal Head Start Program.

“This grant will have a tremendous impact on the lives of the many people the Texas Migrant Council serves. The well-being of my constituents is my most important priority. I will continue to make sure that programs like those provided by the Texas Migrant Council are adequately funded,” said Congressman Cuellar.

The money awarded today will be used for the expansion of the Migrant and Seasonal Head Start Program; the program serves 8,000 children and 16,000 parents nationwide. The funding from this grant will allow this program to provide assistance to an additional 1,000 children and twice as many parents. TMC, which is also known as the New America Corporation, is headquartered in Laredo, but has a presence in eight states including: Texas, Ohio, Indiana, Wisconsin, New Mexico, Iowa, Nevada and Oklahoma. In total, The Texas Migrant Council serves approximately 100,000 clients, including children and adults. The Migrant and Seasonal Head Start Program is one of many programs that the TMC administers to those living in South Texas.

Through its programs, the TMC serves close to 15,000 children and adults in the Laredo area. Close to 2,500 of these clients are served by the Migrant and Seasonal Head Start Program.

Funded in part by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the TMC promotes school readiness by enhancing the social and cognitive development of children through education, health, nutrition, and social service programs. Parents who have children enrolled in TMC programs are also eligible to receive services from the organization.

“My staff and I thank U.S. Congressman Henry Cuellar for his continued support to the children and families in his district as exemplified by this $17 million grant that he helped secure,” said Mary Capello, Chief Executive Officer of the Texas Migrant Council. “We appreciate having a hard-working and highly-accessible Congressman in Henry Cuellar.”

The TMC has been in existence since 1971.

Congressman Henry Cuellar is a member of the House Homeland Security, Small Business, and Agriculture Committees in the 110th Congress; accessibility to constituents, education, health care, economic development and national security are his priorities. Congressman Cuellar is also a Senior Whip.

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