SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCE MORE THAN $21.5 MILLION IN HEAD START FUNDS FOR ORGANIZATIONS ACROSS UPSTATE NEW YORK

Funding Will Allow Organizations in Clinton, Franklin, Genesee, Monroe, Onondaga, Orleans & Westchester Counties to Provide Early Education Programs for Low-Income Children

U.S. Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced a total of $21,568,272 in federal funding for Head Start and Early Head Start Programs across Upstate New York. Schumer and Gillibrand said this funding would allow organizations in Clinton, Franklin, Genesee, Monroe, Onondaga, Orleans, and Westchester Counties to continue their efforts to improve education for low-income children at the earliest age, when learning strides are essential to a child’s future educational skills.

“Children are most impacted by their earliest lessons and carry those teachings through their academic career. We need to invest in child care and early child care programs like Head Start so that we are preparing our children for their future,” said Senator Schumer. “This Head Start grant will bring real results to young students across New York by providing them with the tools and resources they need to succeed in and out of the classroom. I am proud to support this essential funding and will continue to fight to see that early child education remains a priority.”

“Early education programs provide the strongest foundation for our children’s success, which is why this funding is so important for New York families,” said Senator Gillibrand. “With this new funding Head Start programs across New York State will have the resources necessary to serve our students and prepare them for bright futures in the classroom and beyond.”

These Head Start and Early Head Start awards include the following:

· Joint Council for Economic Opportunity (JCEO) of Clinton and Franklin Counties, Inc., located in Plattsburgh, was awarded $1,603,424 for Head Start Projects.

· Community Action of Orleans and Genesee, Inc., located in Albion, was awarded $1,180,800 for Head Start and Early Head Start Programs.

· Action for a Better Community, Inc. of Rochester, located in Monroe County, was awarded $6,942,995 in Head Start and Early Head Start funding.

· People’s Equal Action and Community Effort, Inc. in Syracuse, located in Onondaga County, was awarded $5,692,159 Head Start and Early Head Start funding.

· Cardinal McCloskey Community Services in Valhalla, located in Westchester County, was awarded $6,148,894 for Head Start Programs. 

Head Start and Early Head Start provide comprehensive child development programs for low-income children from birth to age five and their families. Community organizations are awarded grants to provide Head Start services in their community through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Head Start programs primarily serve children ages three and four while Early Head Start serves pregnant women, infants and toddlers. The comprehensive services these programs offer include early education, health screenings, social and emotional health, nutrition, social services, and services for children with disabilities.

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