Northwest ISD board ratifies $5M HHSC grant to expand early‑childhood supports

The Northwest Independent School District Board of Trustees voted unanimously to ratify a Texas Health and Human Services grant agreement that will fund expanded early‑childhood services across the district.

During a discussion of a pulled consent item, Cynthia, the district staff member who wrote the grant application, told trustees the award is a competitive RFA that will allow the district to hire nine new staff and support services such as developmental screenings, targeted support for preschool parents, and fatherhood programs. "We asked for permission to submit so we can hire 9 new staff to continue building the partnership with these parents even before their kids get in school," Cynthia said. She added the award is a five‑year grant for "just over $5,000,000."

The Chair moved to ratify the Texas Health and Human Services grant agreement, contract number HHS001535800009, under the Health Outcomes Through Prevention and Early Support grant program; the motion carried 7–0 after a second. The motion record in the meeting notes lists Mrs. Murphy as the mover and Mrs. Hatfield as the seconder; the board's roll call produced a 7–0 tally.

District staff told trustees the grant resulted from a statewide competitive process; some programs across the state lost funding this cycle, but the Northwest ISD submission was selected and is renewable. Staff said work to implement the grant will be carried out by a team and that the district is in good standing with the granters.

The board approved the ratification at the meeting's consent‑pulled item and asked staff to return with any additional implementation details and timelines as they become available.