U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $1,161,201 for Early Head Start and Head Start Programs at Head Start of Eastern Orange County. The federal funding was provided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Early Head Start Program and Head Start Program and will be used to support and grow early education and development services for low-income families in Orange County. Schumer and Gillibrand said this funding will continue to support efforts to improve education for low-income children at their earliest age, when major learning strides are most critical.
“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 Eastern Orange County’s Head Start Program will bring real results to the Hudson Valley 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 and provide support at their most critical learning stages,” said Senator Gillibrand. “These federal funds will help Head Start of Eastern Orange County deliver invaluable educational programs for children in the community and reduce the cost of high-quality early childhood education for those who need it most. This is an important investment in our children, in local families, and in our area’s economic future. I will always fight in the Senate to make sure that all New Yorkers have the opportunity to reach their full potential.”
“We at Eastern Orange County Head Start express our genuine appreciation to Senators Schumer and Gillibrand for aiding in obtaining funding for our organization. Through these funds, we will be able to continue providing services that benefit our community by enriching the lives of the children and families that we serve,” said Executive Director of Anne Pagliaro
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. Community organizations are awarded grants to provide Head Start and Early Head Start services in their community through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. 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.