By Staff and Wire Reporters

Rhode Island preschool programs will receive $6 million from the U.S. Departments of Education and Health and Human Services through the Preschool Development Grant Program.
Rhode Island is one of 18 states awarded funds to expand access to preschool for children from low-to moderate-income families.

The announcement was made in a joint news release from U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse, and Congressmen Jim Langevin and David Cicilline.

Four New England states are among 18 states getting more than $247 million in federal grants to continue expanding access to high-quality preschool for children from low- to moderate-income families.

The share of the funds announced Wednesday also included $15 million for Massachusetts, $11.7 million for Connecticut and $7.3 million for Vermont.

Democratic U.S. Sen. Jack Reed says Rhode Island’s congressional delegation stood firm and staved off the elimination of funding for the preschool development grants.

Rhode Island is one of six states and the only one in New England that federal education officials say met or exceeded enrollment targets.