SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCE MORE THAN $3.3 MILLION IN HEAD START FUNDS FOR OTSEGO COUNTY ORGANIZATION
Opportunities for Otsego, Inc. in Oneonta Will Use Funding to Continue to Provide Early Education for Low-Income Children
U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $3,317,564 in federal funding for Opportunities for Otsego, Inc., a community based organization in Otsego County. 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 Otsego 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 this funding is so important for Otsego area families,” said Senator Gillibrand. “With this new funding our community’s Head Start program will have the resources necessary to serve our students and prepare them for bright futures in the classroom and beyond.”
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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