SOUTHEAST AREA : Grant Will Launch 3 Head Start Centers

The Mexican American Opportunity Foundation has been awarded a $2.5-million federal grant to launch a preschool program in the Southeast area.

The grant will allow the organization to open at least three Head Start centers serving 412 4- and 5-year-olds in Huntington Park, South Gate and the unincorporated county area of Florence, said Kathyrn Tafoya, MAOF spokeswoman.

“It’s going to be a whole new ballgame for this area,” said Dionicio Morales, MAOF president. “They’ve never really had extensive preschool or child care of any kind.”

The foundation provides child-care and preschool services for 700 children at nine centers in Southern California, but the grant will establish MAOF’s first Head Start program, Tafoya said.

The grant provides funding for a staff of 56 to run the five-day-a-week program. Children will attend 3 1/2-hour sessions each day to learn basic academic and social skills, as well as good health and nutrition habits.

“We probably have one of the highest needs and would benefit more than just about anywhere in the state from this kind of program,” said Henry Gray, Huntington Park’s assistant community development director. “We are very underserved in (preschool) programs because people’s inability to pay restricts entrance to programs.”

The program reserves 41 spaces for children who are physically or mentally handicapped, and representatives will conduct individual home visits to those who are unable to travel or participate in the group program.

Organizers hope to have the first center, most likely in Huntington Park, in operation by January.

The grant, funded by the Department of Health and Human Services and administered through the Los Angeles County Office of Education, requires MAOF to raise $250,000 in cash, donations or volunteer hours.