SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCE OVER $4 MILLION IN FEDERAL HEAD START AND EARLY HEAD START FUNDING FOR CHAUTAUQUA OPPORTUNITIES, INC.

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

U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $4,211,371 for Head Start, Early Head Start, and Early Head Start Expansion programs at Chautauqua Opportunities, Inc. in Chautauqua County. Specifically, Chautauqua Opportunities, Inc.’s Head Start and Early Head Start programs will receive $2,868,278. While Chautauqua Opportunities, Inc.’s Early Head Start Expansion-Child Care Partnership Program will receive $1,343,093. 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 Western New York.

“Study after study shows that the better we prepare our young children, through programs like Early Head Start, and Head Start the better they perform in school later in life,” said Senator Schumer. “This federal funding for Chautauqua Opportunities, Inc. will bring real results to Western New York’s young 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.”

“Head Start programs help our children start out strong at critical early learning stages,” said Senator Gillibrand. “These federal funds will help Chautauqua Opportunities, Inc., support important educational programs for children and will reduce the cost of high-quality early childhood education for some of the most vulnerable in our community. I will always fight in the Senate to make sure that all New Yorkers have the opportunity to reach their full potential.”

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

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