LEWISTON – The local Head Start program has received a $1.2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Head Start is a federally funded comprehensive school readiness program for children age 5 and younger and their families. The program works to enhance children’s self-esteem and school readiness skills and supports parents as the primary teachers of their children.

U.S. Sens. Olympia J. Snowe, R-Maine, and Susan Collins, R-Maine, announced the grant Wednesday.

The senators also announced a grant of $115,000 to the Maine Board of Emergency Medical Services, which works to improve emergency medical service systems and to develop and evaluate improved procedures and protocols for treating children.

“This funding from the Department of Health and Human Services will contribute immensely to the health and well-being of children throughout Maine,” Snowe and Collins said in a joint statement.