SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCE OVER $4.7 MILLION IN FEDERAL HEAD START FUNDING FOR ALBANY COUNTY OPPORTUNITY, INC.
Funding Will Be Used to Support Early Childhood Education and Care Services for Low-Income Children in Albany County
Washington, DC – U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $4,758,970 in federal funding for Albany County Opportunity, Inc. The funding was provided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Head Start Program and will be used to support child care and support services for low-income families throughout Albany County.
“Study after study shows that the better we prepare our young children, through programs like Head Start, the better they perform in school later in life,” said Senator Schumer. “This federal funding for Albany County Opportunity, Inc. will bring real results to students in Albany, 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.”
“All children deserve to get a strong start in life, and programs like Head Start are indispensable for low-income families who want to make sure that their children have access to high-quality early childhood education and care,” said Senator Gillibrand. “With this funding, Albany County Opportunity, Inc. will be able to support a robust program that will help families throughout the county, and I will always work in the Senate to make sure our children have the resources they need to succeed.”
“Albany County Opportunity Inc. is thrilled to receive $4,758,970 allocation in federal funding through Department of Health and Human Services Head Start Program,” said Neenah Bland, Executive Director of Albany Community Action Partnership (ACAP). “These funds will allow us to continue our investment in providing high quality, affordable, early learning education and services aimed at narrowing the achievement gap for 474, low-income 3 and 4 year olds and their families. We understand the education is the key to ending the cycle of generational poverty and our hope is that all children succeed.”
Head Start provides comprehensive child development programs for low-income children, as well as supports and services for their families. Head Start programs primarily serve children ages three to five. 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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