Schumer, Gillibrand Announce More Than $9 Million In Head Start Grants For Brooklyn & Staten Island

Funding Provides Early Education for Low-Income Children

U.S. Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced more than $9 million in grants for early childhood education programs in Brooklyn and Staten Island, which will serve children from low-income families. Community organizations from across the state applied for the funding, and the award to three programs in New York City will support Early Head Start and Head Start programs that provide critical education and development services.

“Skillfully educating our children from an early age via quality Head Start programs is a key to a bright academic future,” said Senator Schumer. “This wise investment in Head Start programs on Staten Island and Brooklyn will bring real results to young students by providing them with the tools and resources they need to succeed in and out of the classroom. I am proud to support this essential funding and will continue to deliver resources to support Head Start programs in New York”

“Early education programs provide the strongest foundation for our children’s success, which is why these new grants are so important for New York families,” said Senator Gillibrand. “With this new funding, our community Early Learning and Head Start programs will have the resources they need to serve our students and prepare them for bright futures in the classroom and beyond.”

As a part of the grant process, the Department of Health and Human Services accepted applications from early education providers across the state. Three community based programs in New York City were selected to receive more than $9 million, including:

· $2,183,043 for United Academy in Brooklyn

· $2,191,996 Yeshiva Kehilath Yakove in Brooklyn

· $4,942,984 for Project Social Care Head Start in Brooklyn and Staten Island

As of the latest Census data from 2010, almost half of all New York City families with children have kids under six years old. Brooklyn has the most number of families – approximately 147,000 – who have young children, toddlers, and infants.

Early Head Start and Head Start provide comprehensive child development programs for children from birth to age five, pregnant women and families. Community organizations are awarded grants to provide Head Start services in their community through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Head Start programs primarily serve children ages three and four 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.