SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCE OVER $11.5 MILLION IN FEDERAL HEAD START AND EARLY HEAD START FUNDING FOR COMMUNITY ACTION ORG OF ERIE COUNTY

Funding Will Be Used To Support Early Education For Low-Income Children In Western New York

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $11,549,528 for Head Start and Early Head Start programs at the Community Action Organization of Erie County. 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 and early childhood education for low-income families in Western New York.

“Study after study shows that the better we prepare our young children, through programs like Head Start and Early Head Start, the better they perform in school later in life,” said Senator Schumer. “This federal funding for the Community Action Organization of Erie County will bring real results to young students in Western New York 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 childhood education remains a priority.”

“Head Start and Early Head Start Programs are essential for many families in Western New York who struggle with the high costs of childcare,” said Senator Gillibrand. “Through this investment, the Community Action Organization of Erie County will be able to provide high-quality childcare and early childhood education to some of the most vulnerable members of our communities, which will help ensure that children have the resources they need to succeed early in life.”  

Head Start and Early Head Start provide comprehensive child development programs for low-income children from birth to age five, as well as support and services for their families. 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, and social services for children with disabilities.

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