The Press Democrat- Community Action Partnership gets $5 million grant to promote school readiness

Community Action Partnership, the Santa Rosa-based nonprofit organization, received a $5 million grant that will allow it to continue to promote school readiness among low-income children.

U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson, D-St. Helena, made the announcement Monday. The grant from the Department of Health and Human Services will go toward offering Head Start and Early Head Start services to more than 550 children from birth to age 5 at the group's dozen sites around the county, according to Thompson's office.

"Head Start and Early Head Start are about making sure our kids have a foundation for success that's rooted in education and strong, healthy development," Thompson said in a statement.

In addition to offering preschool assistance, the nonprofit organization also partners with other agencies to offer dental, mental health and other services for children and their families. Head Start is key in meeting the county's goal to be the healthiest place to live by 2020, said Tim Reese, executive director of Community Action Partnership of Sonoma County.