Washington, DC – U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $2,886,147 in federal funding for Head Start and Early Head Start programs throughout the Capital Region. Specifically, the Schenectady Community Action Program will receive $1,575,489 for Head Start, and the Schoharie County Child Development Council, Inc. will receive $1,310,658 for Head Start and Early Head Start programs. The federal funding was allocated through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and will be used to provide early child care services and education for low-income families.
“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 Schenectady Community Action Program and the Schoharie County Child Development Council will bring real results to young students in the Capital Region 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.”
“The Head Start and Early Head Start Programs help make sure that children across the Capital Region can have equal access to early childhood education and childcare services,” said Senator Gillibrand. “These federal funds will help give some of our most vulnerable children a strong start in life, and will provide them with the tools they need to learn and grow. I will always fight in the Senate for the resources to support New York families with high-quality early childhood care and education.”
The 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. 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.