Press Release

Gillibrand Announces More Than $1.4 Million Grant for Early Head Start in Capital Region

Apr 22, 2014

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $1,442,796 in federal funding for Parsons Child & Family Center, a Capital Region community based organization. This federal investment will support Early Learning and Head Start programs that provide education and development services for low-income children.

“This is a smart investment that can help give more Capital Region children the chance they deserve to start out strong, and go as far as their own hard work will take them,” Senator Gillibrand said. “These federal dollars for the Parsons Child and Family Center will help this strong organization deliver quality education, access to food and other critical services that our children and families deserve.”

“The Early Head Start programming at the Parsons Early Learning Center gives hundreds of Schenectady County children their best chance to succeed in life,” said John Henley, CEO of Parsons Child and Family Center. “Thanks to the support of Sen. Gillibrand and her colleagues, this grant will ensure that our children will receive the educational, developmental, social, nutritional and family support they’ll need during the most critical stages of their growth. There is no better investment than an investment in our children’s future.”

Head Start and Early Head Start programs provide comprehensive child development programs for children from birth to age 5, pregnant women, and families. The programs focus on preparing children for school.

Parsons Child and Family Center is the largest multi-services agency in New York’s Capital Region and has worked to empower children and families since 1829. They provide counseling services, early childhood family support, special education, youth development programs and mental health services. Parsons served more than 9,000 people just last year alone.