Expanding Educational Opportunities
Rep. Mrvan is an active supporter of public schools, teachers, and students. During his first two terms in office, Rep. Mrvan served on the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, which oversees federal programs and initiatives dealing with education at all levels -- from preschool through high school to higher education and continuing education. These include, elementary and secondary education initiatives, including the No Child Left Behind Act, special education (the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act), teacher quality & teacher training, scientifically-based reading instruction, and vocational and technical education.
Rep. Mrvan looks forward to supporting legislative efforts to gain support for public education through proper funding of school districts, goal-oriented programs, and equal access and support for all students. Additionally, Rep. Mrvan hosts annual programs for students including the Congressional Art Competition in the spring and the Congressional App Challenge in the fall.
More on Expanding Educational Opportunities
Rep. Frank J. Mrvan on Friday announced the details of the 2025 Congressional Art Competition for high school students from Indiana’s First Congressional District.
Each year, the Congressional Institute and Members of the U.S. House of Representatives sponsor the Congressional Art Competition as an opportunity to promote the artistic talent in each Congressional District.
Northwest Indiana high school students have the chance to have their artwork displayed inside the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, D.C.
The office of U.S. Rep. Frank J. Mrvan, D-Highland, is accepting entries for the annual Congressional Art Competition, which recognizes and promotes artistic talent from each of the congressional districts across the country.
Northwest Indiana high school students have the chance to have their artwork displayed inside the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, D.C.
Washington, DC – Today, Rep. Frank J. Mrvan announced the details of the 2025 Congressional Art Competition for high school students from Indiana’s First Congressional District.
Each year, the Congressional Institute and Members of the U.S. House of Representatives sponsor the Congressional Art Competition as an opportunity to promote the artistic talent in each Congressional District.
Geminus hosted Congressman Frank Mrvan Feb. 20 at its Head Start St. Mark Early Learning Academy in Gary.
Community and educational leaders toured the facility and held a press conference to highlight the resources that Head Start provides. The national federally funded program has recently found itself in the discussion around government spending.
U.S. Rep. Frank Mrvan, D-Highland, said he visited the Geminus Head Start program in Gary Thursday because of the uncertainty it faces as President Donald Trump slashes programs to rein in government spending.
When Trump issued an executive order Jan. 27 freezing federal programs, about 57 Head Start programs nationwide couldn’t access their funding grants.
After a spate of lawsuits and confusion, the White House withdrew the order but some nonprofit groups still said they couldn’t access their funding.
When Jessica Fullilove enrolled her 4-year-old son at Geminus Head Start-St. Mark Early Learning Academy in Glen Park, she expected a strong educational foundation. But the staff went far beyond that.
“[They] actually caught a developmental delay that even the doctor didn’t catch on to right away, so I’m thankful for that,” Fullilove said. “The community resources they give our family make it so we can effectively parent our entire family. My husband and I can work while he’s here getting the education he needs.”
A federal freeze to Head Start programs disrupted the lives of local families that depend on them.
Now that the funding has resumed, some parents in Northwest Indiana want to make sure it remains.
A local family has seen a big difference this year in 4-year-old Chase, who had a developmental delay. His mom told ABC7 his time at the St. Mark's Head Start has done wonders.
U.S. Rep. Frank J. Mrvan, D-Highland, and Mayor Eddie Melton visited a Head Start facility on Thursday, where they emphasized the need for the federally funded early childhood education program and vowed to continue to support it.
Both elected officials were joined by Geminus Head Start officials as they toured the St. Mark Early Learning Academy, which serves over 100 children from ages 0 to 5 years old. While touring the building, they learned more about the center's curriculum and interacted with several of the Head Start children and staff.
Geminus, a Regional Care Group member, hosted Congressman Frank Mrvan on Feb. 20 at its Head Start St. Mark Early Learning Academy in Gary, Indiana. Community and educational leaders toured the facility and held a press conference to highlight the invaluable resources that Head Start provides. The national federally funded program has recently found itself in the discussion around government spending.
Changes at the federal level have created uncertainty for early childhood education. But U.S. Representative Frank Mrvan (D-Highland) says government can be more efficient, while still protecting the most vulnerable.
Head Start providers say they were briefly unable to access their funding, during the federal government's funding freeze attempt. Leaders at Indiana's largest Head Start provider, Geminus, say losing funding access would impact thousands of families and employees throughout the state.