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Velazquez Announces $27 Million for Head Start Programs, Health Centers

April 11, 2019

Velázquez Announces $27 Million for Head Start Programs, Health Centers

Washington, DC – Today, Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) announced that local early education centers within New York's 7th Congressional District have received federal grants to continue their Head Start and Early Head Start programs. Additionally, local health centers have received federal grants to aid healthcare, mental health and substance abuse services. Both programs are federally funded and provide support services to low-incomes families.

"Time and time again reports released from the Department of Health and Human Services underscore the lifetime social benefits of Head Start Programs and their impact on our youth," said Velázquez. "From testing significantly better in literature and math to showing better social-emotional, language, and cognitive development, the value of Head Start programs are well documented. I am proud to see a wide range of local centers receive federal funding to continue the important work of educating our youngest New Yorkers."

  • Located in the heart of Brooklyn Heights, Catholic Charities Neighborhood Services has provided over 100 years of early care and education for local families. By providing support services in English, Spanish and Creole, the staff at Catholic Charities Neighborhood Services serve children and their families. HHS has awarded Catholic Charities Neighborhood Services with $7,365,022 in federal funds to continue their Early Head Start program.
  • Also located in Brooklyn, Yeshiva Kehilath Yakove is a Jewish learning center and will be receiving $2,409,382 continue their Head Start program and early Head Start program.
  • An additional grant has been awarded to Grand Street Settlement in Lower East Side, New York. Grand Street Settlement will receive $1,832,363 in federal funds from HHS. The funding will ensure the organization can continue providing personalized resources and direct services to inspire New Yorkers, strengthen families, and advocate for communities.
  • The Y M & Y W H A of Williamsburg, Inc. has been awarded $2,449,150 in federal funding to support their Early Head Start program in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. For 40 years, Y M & Y W H A of Williamsburg, Inc. have provided social services to neighborhood families.

"Health centers are vital to our communities. They integrate access to pharmacy, mental health, substance use disorder, and oral health services in areas where economic, geographic, or cultural barriers limit access to affordable health care services" said Velázquez. "I am proud to see local health centers receive federal funding to continue the important work of delivering high quality services to New Yorkers."

  • For a decade, Sunset Park Family Health Center at NYU Langone has provided comprehensive primary and dental care to ethnically diverse, medically underserved neighborhoods around New York City. Sunset Park Family Health Center has been awarded $15,133,121 in federal funds from HHS to continue to provide a full spectrum of outpatient medical care to meet the needs of adults and children.
  • Since 1981 Brooklyn-based Diaspora Community Services has provided comprehensive supports to low income residents, immigrants, and the chronically ill. Diaspora Community Services will receive $283,875 to aid those fighting substance use and raise awareness of HIV/AIDS through their prevention project targeting LGBT Youth and Young Adults.
  • Also located in Brooklyn, After Hours Project, Inc. is a community-based harm reduction program that, since May 2002, has addressed the continued spread of HIV/AIDS in predominantly low income and minority neighborhoods. After Hours Project will be receiving $524,670 to support their mission.

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