A Rio Grande Valley head start program now has more money to hire more teachers.

The non-profit NINOS or Neighbors In Need Of Services received more than $26 million from a grant.

NINOS' free head start program helps prepare Valley children from ages 0–4 years old for Kindergarten. The program has more than 50 centers serving Cameron and Willacy counties.

Officials say the grant money will help pay employee salaries and help fill over 20 teacher positions.

"We do struggle with that, it could be the limited funds, but we do try to put good benefits," NINOS Executive Director David Kowalski said.

NINOS head start currently serves about 2,000 toddlers and their families.

For more information on the program, click here.

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