Monte Vista Head Start (MVHS), serving children ages 3 to 5 in Colorado’s rural Monte Vista and surrounding rural areas of the San Luis Valley, faced the devastating reality of closure without renewed federal funding. Nearly 40 percent of local children live in poverty, and Monte Vista Head Start is often the only affordable, high-quality early childhood education option for families already grappling with unemployment, food insecurity, and health care shortages.
The Steadman Group partnered with Monte Vista Head Start to craft a competitive federal application that highlighted their 60-year history, strong community partnerships, and measurable success in improving school readiness. Our team emphasized the program’s dual-generation impact: preparing children for kindergarten while connecting families to healthcare, job training, and essential supports.
As a result, Monte Vista Head Start secured $1,066,650 from the Administration for Children and Families, Office of Head Start, ensuring that their doors remain open. This award sustains preschool access for 42 children and their families annually, preserving a vital resource for one of Colorado’s most underserved regions.
Thank you for all your hard work!!! You and your team are the BEST!
Marcia Mangan, MS ECS
Executive Director at Monte Vista Head Start