Washington, DC – U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $2,762,224.00 in federal funding for Head Start and Early Head Start programs at Cortland County Community Action Program. 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 Cortland County.
“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 Cortland County Community Action Program will bring real results to young 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 childhood education remains a priority.”
“The Head Start and Early Head Start Programs help make sure that children across Cortland County can have equal access to early childhood education,” said Senator Gillibrand. “These federal funds will help give some of our most vulnerable children a strong start in life, and will provide them with the tools they need to learn and grow. I will always fight in the Senate for the resources to support New York families and help provide high-quality early childhood education.”
“Cortland County Community Action Program is very happy to receive this continuation grant that will allow us to continue to provide these important supports to children and families in our community. This grant allows us to serve 272 children, birth-4years old and their families by providing access to education, social, emotional, health and nutrition and family supports. It really is a head start for these children,” said Lindy Glennon, Executive Director, Cortland County Community Action Program.
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 aged 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.