Velazquez Announces Multi-Million Dollar Grants for Local Head Start Programs

Washington, DC – Today, Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) announced that multiple local early education centers within New York's 7th Congressional district have received multi-million dollar grants to boost their Head Start programs. The Head Start Program is a federal initiative of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) which provides comprehensive early childhood education, health, and nutrition services to low-income children and their families.

"Studies consistently show that when children receive the educational, emotional and nutritional support they need early on, they succeed later in life," said Velázquez. "Each of these educational institutions serve as community anchors that provide vital services to our working families."

• Located on the Lower East Side, Grand Street Settlement has over 60 years of experience in early care and education. By providing family support services in English, Spanish and Chinese, the staff at Grand Street Settlement develop a strong bond with local parents and families. HHS has awarded Grand Street Settlement with $1,832,363 in federal funds to continue their outreach and service to area families.
• An additional grant has been awarded to United Academy in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. The Academy will receive $2,221,379 in federal funds from HHS. The funding will ensure the organization can continue making important health and educational programs available to Williamsburg's children.
• Also located in Williamsburg, Yeshiva Kehilath Yakove is a Jewish learning center and will be receiving $1,072,409 to continue to grow their Head Start program.
• Educational Alliance located on the Lower East Side will be receiving $2,283,083 for their Head Start program. A progressive early learning center, Educational Alliance actively works to meet the needs of working families.
• The Catholic Charities Neighborhood Service has been awarded $5,938,043 to continue to provide high-quality educational services to local children in Brooklyn. Harnessing the Montessori holistic approach to early learning, their program features hands-on age appropriate opportunities for children from birth to age seven. The center also provides Montessori training to their early childhood staff.

"For many busy working families, locating affordable, quality educational resources can be challenging," said Velázquez. "Programs like Head Start address the most basic and important needs of a child. At a time when such programs are threatened with cuts, I will continue to advocate for these children and their families. It is our duty to ensure that our children have equal access to a fair and nurturing early education."

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