Washington, DC – U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $1,146,132 for Head Start and Early Head Start programs at the Family Services of Westchester. 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 Hudson Valley.
“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 Family Services of Westchester will bring real results to young students in the Hudson Valley 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.”
“Families across New York directly benefit from the Head Start and Early Head Start Programs,” said Senator Gillibrand. “These programs are essential for many families in Westchester, and help to ensure that our children start out strong. These federal funds will reduce the cost of high-quality early childhood education and childcare services for some of the most vulnerable in our communities, and ensure that children have the resources they need to learn and grow.”
“We are grateful for Senators Schumer and Gillibrand’s support of the Head Start program, which is designed to boost children’s academic, social, and emotional skills while encouraging parents’ involvement in their children’s education,” said Susan B. Wayne, President, and CEO of Family Services of Westchester (FSW). “Studies demonstrate that involvement in Head Start significantly improves children’s health and their success in school. This funding helps children, their families, and the entire community.”
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. Head Start programs primarily serve children ages three to five, 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.