Velazquez Announces $30 Million for Local Head Start Programs

Washington, DC – Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY-07) today announced that over $30 million in federal resources have been awarded to local Head Start and Early Head Start initiatives located throughout New York's 7th Congressional District.

"Head Start and Early Head Start provide comprehensive services supporting the development of children from low-income and working families," Velázquez noted. "These federal dollars will go a long way to helping kids in our communities prosper, grow and succeed in life."

The Head Start Program is an initiative through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that provides comprehensive early childhood education, health, nutrition, and parent involvement services to low-income children and their families. HHS provides grant funding to local community partners who deliver health, nutritional and educational services to local families. Similarly, Early Head Start is a federally funded program for low-income families with pregnant women, infants, and toddlers up to age 3. The grant funding will support services expected to assist over 2,500 New Yorkers.

"Studies consistently show that children benefit from Head Start services not only early in life, but also later in their educational careers and throughout their lives," Velázquez added. "This is a critical pillar in our communities and I'm pleased to see these federal resources invested, right here, in New York City."

Local agencies and service providers received the following grant amounts:

• Brooklyn Chinese-American Association, Inc. - $1,093,011
(5002 8th Avenue, BK)
• Catholic Charities Neighborhood Services, Inc. - $ 11,450,503
(191 Joralemon Street, BK)
• Chinese Community Concerns Corporation, Inc. - $1,641,973
(180 Mott Street, NY, NY)
• Educational Alliance - $6,684,684
(197 E Broadway, NY, NY)
• United Academy Inc. - $5,292,504
(722 Wythe Ave. BK, NY)
• Yeshiva Kehilath Yakove, Inc. - $2,276,189
(638 Bedford Ave. BK, NY)
• Y M & Y W H A of Williamsburg, Inc. - $2,449,150
(64 Division Ave., BK, NY)

"These local agencies are on the front lines of providing our neighbors vital health and human services and I'm proud the federal government is partnering with them," Velázquez concluded. "Investing in our children makes our City and neighborhoods stronger. I will continue fighting in Congress for additional funding for Head Start and Early Head Start."

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