The current Community Action Partnership of Mid-Nebraska Head Start facility in Kearney, (Brian Neben, Central Nebraska Today)
KEARNEY — A groundbreaking ceremony will be held for the new Community Action Partnership of Mid-Nebraska’s Early Head Start facility in Kearney.
The event will be held on Friday, June 20 at 4 p.m. at 1023 F Ave. in the south lot, light refreshments
will be served.
Community Action Partnership of Mid-Nebraska received approval from the Kearney city council in November 2024 to construct their new facility.
“The goal of the Early Head Start program is to strengthen children, families and communities through quality education, comprehensive health and family services and by fostering community partnerships. Early Head Start serves children ages 0-3 years old,” according to Community Action Partnership of Mid-Nebraska.
Meredith Collins, Chief Executive Officer with Community Action Partnership of Mid-Nebraska said that they currently serve 32 children at their current space, which is rented and in an industrial area of the community. She later noted they have 20 children on their waiting list.
Collins said that they have used their current Head Start facility for the past four years and have now secured the funding to build a new facility located on the agency property behind their current Head Start and WIC building and adjacent to their RYDE transit facility.
The total capacity of the new facility will allow care for 48 children. Collins did note that they will have to get additional funding for more staff to care for the total capacity.
The new facility would feature four classrooms, two for infants, two for toddlers.
Collins noted they have been awarded a $2.6 million grant from the Office of Head Start in Sept. 2024 for the construction of the new facility.
