SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCE MORE THAN $3.2 MILLION IN FEDERAL HEAD START FUNDS FOR SCHENECTADY COMMUNITY ACTION’S HEAD START PROGRAM
Funding Will Be Used To Support Early Education For Low-Income Children In The Capital Region
U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $3,219,574.00 for the Head Start Program at Schenectady Community Action Program. The federal funding was allocated through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and will be used to support child care services for low-income families in Schenectady County.
“Study after study shows that the better we prepare our young children, through programs like Head Start, the better they perform in school later in life,” said Senator Schumer. “This federal funding for Schenectady Community Action Program’s Head Start Program will bring real results to Schenectady’s students, by providing them with the resources they need to succeed both in and out of the classroom. I am proud to support this essential funding and I will continue to fight to see that early child education remains a priority.”
“All children deserve to get a strong start in life, and Head Start programs are indispensable for low-income families who want to make sure that their children have access to high-quality early childhood education,” said Senator Gillibrand. “With this funding, Schenectady Community Action Program will be able to support a robust program that prepares students to succeed in school, and I will always work in the Senate to make sure our families have the resources they need to thrive.”
“The Head Start grant provides crucial support for low-income families in Schenectady County. The funding enables SCAP to provide quality early childhood education for the area’s most vulnerable children in a safe and nurturing environment. Research has consistently shown a high return on investment for early learning programs, with an approximate ROI of $7 for every $1 invested. Our outcomes show that low-income children that participate in early learning programs are better prepared for success in kindergarten and beyond,” said Debra Schimpf, Chief Executive Officer of Schenectady Community Action Program, Inc.
“Access to quality, affordable child care is critical to supporting working families and the economic development of a community. The Schenectady Community Action Program provides vital, comprehensive child care services to hundreds of children in Schenectady each year that could not be possible without this important funding. On behalf of the City of Schenectady, I would like to thank Senators Gillibrand and Schumer for their tireless efforts to support working families and strengthen our community,” said Schenectady Mayor Gary McCarthy.
Head Start provides comprehensive child development programs for low-income children, as well as supports and services for their families. Head Start programs primarily serve children ages three and four. 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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