SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCE MORE THAN $3.3 MILLION IN HEAD START FUNDS FOR DUTCHESS COUNTY ORGANIZATION
Astor Services for Children and Families, Inc. Will Use Funding to Continue to Provide Early Education Programs for Low-Income Children in Dutchess County
U.S. Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $3,315,153 in federal funding for the Astor Services for Children and Families, Inc., a community-based agency in Rhinebeck. Schumer and Gillibrand said this funding will continue to support the organization’s efforts to improve education for low-income children at their earliest age, when major learning strides take place.
“Children are most impacted by their earliest lessons and carry those teachings through their academic career. We need to invest in 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 our young students in Dutchess County 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 these funds are so important for Dutchess County families,” said Senator Gillibrand. “With this new funding, our community Early Learning and Head Start programs will have the resources they need to serve our students and prepare them for bright futures in the classroom and beyond.”
“We are grateful for the opportunity to continue to service the children and families in Dutchess County,” said Sonia Barnes-Moorhead, Executive Vice President of The Children’s Foundation of Astor.
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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