NORWICH - Greater Opportunities, the newly formed joint enterprise of Opportunities for Chenango and Opportunities for Broome, is on the receiving end of a $1 million federal grant that will bolster its Head Start programming across Broome County.

Funds, administered through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, will allow Greater Opportunities to strengthen Head Start’s mission of providing childhood education, health, nutrition and parent involvement services to low-income families throughout the area.

The allocation comes at a time when needs are especially high in rural areas, agency heads said.

“We will be using the award to operate a comprehensive program to meet the needs of children and families through the management of high-quality early childhood education services,” Opportunities for Broome Head Start Director Brett Dean said in a statement. “We are grateful to have received this award to continue providing these necessary programs and services to the children and families in our community.”