Today, Rep. Henry Cuellar announced that the Department of Health and Human Service’s Office of Head Start awarded a $14.5 million grant to the Texas Migrant Council (TMC) for the expansion of the Migrant and Seasonal Head Start Program.

The Migrant and Seasonal Head Start Program is one of many programs that the TMC administers to those living in South Texas.  TMC, which is also known as the New America Corporation, is headquartered in Laredo, but has a presence in seven additional states, including: Ohio, Indiana, Wisconsin, New Mexico, Iowa, Nevada and Oklahoma.

The program nationwide serves 8,000 children and 16,000 parents.  Here locally, the program includes 2500 children, but with this additional funding, the program hopes to increase its children enrollment by 1,000.

“The well-being of our children is at stake,” said Congressman Cuellar. “These funds will see to it that more children can enroll in the Head Start Program and thus be better prepared for elementary school.”

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.

“On behalf of the Texas Migrant Counsel and the many families we serve, I thank Congressman Cuellar for his continued support our educational programs,” said Mary Capello, Chief Executive Officer of the Texas Migrant Council.  “These programs will benefit families across the United States.”

This $14.5 million installment is the fourth and final payment of the $60 million awarded this year to the TMC.   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 and economic development are his priorities.