More funding for Head Start

The Massachusetts House budget passed last week included a $500,000 increase in funding for Head Start, including a program in Somerville. Although the state Senate must still offer its version of the fiscal 2013 budget, the amendment received wide support in the House, including from Somerville's Denise Provost, who was among 17 cosigners. If the funding increase remains untouched through the budget process, it would bring the total available grant money to $8 million, according to the office of Representative David B. Sullivan of Fall River, the key sponsor of the amendment. Locally, Head Start early education programs are sponsored by the Community Action Agency of Somerville. The program serves low-income children in more than a dozen classrooms through the city, according to the group.