U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $3,500,025 for the Head Start Program at Astor Services for Children and Families. 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 Dutchess 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 Astor Services for Children and Families Head Start Program will bring real results to the Hudson Valley’s 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 childhood education remains a priority for Congress.”
“The Head Start Program helps make sure that some of our most vulnerable children can get a strong start in life,” said Senator Gillibrand. “With these federal funds, Astor Services for Children and Families will be able to continue providing high-quality, early-childhood education for children throughout the Hudson Valley. I will always fight in the Senate for the resources that help New York families and give our children the support they need to learn and grow.”
“We are thrilled to receive this funding from Head Start to ensure that every child in Dutchess County has the resources they need to succeed. We rely heavily on this critical federal funding to prepare young kids for school and I’d like to thank Senators Schumer and Gillibrand for their continued support of the Head Start Program,” said Mary Sontheimer, Assistant Executive Director, Education and Early Childhood Development Programs.
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 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.