SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCE MORE THAN $900K HEAD START GRANT FOR COMMUNITY ACTION OF ORLEANS & GENESEE

Today, U.S. Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $911,225 in federal funding for Community Action of Orleans and Genesee, Inc., a community-based agency. Schumer and Gillibrand said this funding will help support the organization’s efforts to improve education for low-income children at their earliest age, when major learning strides take place. Funding for Community Action of Orleans and Genesee, Inc. will support a new Early Head Start – Child Care Partnership program and expand the organization’s ability to provide education and development services for low-income children for in Orleans and Genesee Counties in the Rochester-Finger Lakes region.

“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 Orleans and Genesee Counties 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.”

“Head start programs help our children start out strong and provide support at their most critical learning stages,” Senator Gillibrand said. “This investment will help Community Action of Orleans and Genesee deliver valuable education programs for children in the area and reduce the cost of quality childcare for those who need it most. This is an important investment in our children, in local families, and in our area’s economic future.”

“We are thrilled about this opportunity! This new funding will support low income families on their journey toward self-sufficiency,” said Ed Fancher, Executive Director for Community Action of Orleans & Genesee. “In partnership with licensed Child Care providers and Niagara Community Action, we will provide high quality early childhood comprehensive programming for children ages birth to three.  This project will serve 72 infants and toddlers in Orleans, Genesee, and Eastern Niagara County.”

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. Early Head Start – Child Care Partnerships grants encourage collaboration between new and existing Early Head Start organizations and child care providers to expand access to high-quality care for infants and toddlers.

Community Action of Orleans and Genesee is a non-profit organization that has served low-income and disadvantaged families empowering and providing them with opportunities of care for those who are not yet self-sufficient. This organization has been running for 40 years and provides multiple programs for their families which include: Head Start, Restore, emergency services and family development, community service events, community transportation services, and child care and youth services. The Community Action of Orleans and Genesee’s mission is to provide services, with dignity and respect that help people become self-sufficient.  

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