WASHINGTON – Nearly $2 million in grants from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services have been awarded for continued operation of Head Start programs in Hancock, Washington and York counties.

U.S. Sens. Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins announced the grants in a joint statement.

Funding will be distributed as follows:

. $902,494 in grant funding to Child and Family Opportunities Inc., based in Ellsworth, to operate Head Start services in Hancock and Washington counties. The program has operated the Eastern Maine Head Start initiatives for the two counties for the past 30 years.

. $1,096,067 in grant funding to York County Community Action Corp., based in Sanford, to operate Head Start programs throughout the county.

Head Start is a comprehensive child development program that serves pregnant women, children from birth to age 5, and their families.