Maui Economic Opportunity’s Head Start preschool program was notified this week that federal funding has been secured for the 2025-26 school year.

Head Start is a national program that provides preschool for 3- and 4-year-olds at no cost to income-qualifying families. Local Head Start officials have been fielding questions about the status of the program for next school year amid cost-cutting at the federal level.

The federal notice of $2.7 million in funding allays some of the fears for the upcoming school year that begins in August and ends in May 2026. The money will allow MEO to continue to offer preschool to 180 children and their families in classrooms at Eddie Tam Memorial Complex in Makawao, Haiku Elementary, Ka Hale A Ke Ola Homeless Resource Center in Wailuku, Kihei Elementary, Luana Gardens in Kahului, Princess Nahienaena Elementary in Lahaina, UH-Maui College, Wailuku Elementary, and MEO Moloka`i in Kaunakakai.

MEO Head Start also is slated to receive $1.1 million from the County of Maui in the 2025-26 budget to extend the school day and year for all 180 children.  

Head Start is one of MEO’s first programs, operating since 1965, and takes a holistic approach that focuses on readying the child for kindergarten and educational success as well as assisting the family. Parents are able to secure employment or complete their educational goals to achieve self-sufficiency while contributing to the local workforce.  Head Start also assists with the family’s basic needs, offers parenting classes and involves parents in their child’s education through classroom groups and the countywide Head Start Policy Council.

There are a few spots remaining for the 2025-26 school year for children who are 3 or 4 years old by July 31, 2025.

Other qualifications include families and children who are unhoused or in temporary shelter, are enrolled in Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), or meet 100% federal income poverty guidelines for Hawai‘i. Children in foster care also are eligible. Families who are rent burdened also may qualify.  

“We are so pleased that Head Start was funded by the federal government for next school year,” said CEO Debbie Cabebe. “There have been some anxious moments but the federal notice provides assurance that MEO Head Start will continue for our 61^st year.  We are grateful to the Maui County Administration and County Council for their ongoing support and commitment to the children and families.”

Applications may be completed online at meoinc.org (scroll down to “Quick Links”). For more information, contact the MEO Head Start office at (808) 249-2988 during office hours, weekdays, 7:15 a.m. to 4 p.m., except on federal and state holidays.

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