Press Release

Schumer, Gillibrand Announce Over $5.7 Million In Federal Funding For Head Start And Early Head Start In The Capital Region

May 3, 2018

Washington, DC – U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $5,732,664 in federal funding for Head Start and Early Head Start programs in the Capital Region. Specifically, the Saratoga County Economic Council will receive $4,150,016 for Head Start and Early Head Start programs, and the Parsons Child and Family Center in Schenectady will receive $1,582,648 for Early Head Start. The federal funding was allocated through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and will be used to provide early child care services and education for low-income families. 

“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 will bring real results to young students in the Capital Region 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.”

“Head Start and Early Head Start help make sure that families throughout the Capital Region have access to early childhood care services and education,” said Senator Gillibrand. “These federal funds will help lower the costs of early childhood development programs to ensure that vulnerable children in our communities have the tools to get a strong start in life. I will always fight in the Senate to provide high-quality programs that help our families succeed.”

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.