U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $2,887,428 in federal funding for Cortland County Community Action Program. The funding was provided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Head Start Program and will be used to support child care and support services for low-income families throughout Cortland 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 Cortland County Community Action Program will bring real results to students in Central New York, 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.”
“Family income should not be the deciding factor in whether a child has access to high-quality early childhood education and care,” said Senator Gillibrand. “This federal funding will help Cortland County Community Action Program give children in the region a strong start in life. I will continue to fight for the resources our children need to succeed.”
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 from ages three to five. The comprehensive services these programs offer include early education, health screenings, social and emotional health, nutrition, social services, and services for children with disabilities.