U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $1,061,034 for Head Start programs at Delaware Opportunities, Inc. in Delaware 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 for low-income families in the Southern Tier Region.
“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 Delaware Opportunities, Inc. will bring real results to young students in the Southern Tier 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,” saidSenator Gillibrand. “These federal funds will help Delaware 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.”
“We at Delaware Opportunities have long enjoyed the strong support of Senators Schumer and Gillibrand for the Head Start program. They have our deepest gratitude for their help in obtaining funding for this important program. With this funding our organization will continue providing early childhood education and help for children and families who need it most in Delaware County,” saidJohn Eberhard, Executive Director of Delaware Opportunities Inc.
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 and four. The comprehensive services these programs offer include early education, health screenings, social and emotional health, nutrition, social services, and services for children with disabilities.