Beckley, W.Va. (AP) -- Five early head start programs in southern West Virginia will share a $2.9 million federal stimulus grant.

U.S. Rep. Nick Rahall says the funding will be used to hire staff, cover programmatic costs and help program facilities to assist families.

The funding includes $448,769 for Monroe County schools, $471,887 for Southwestern Community Action Council, Inc. in Huntington, $512,034 for Mountainheart Community Services in Oceana, $659,814 for Fayette County Child Development, Inc. and $858,487 for Community Action of Southern Eastern West Virginia in Bluefield.

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