WASHINGTON, D.C. (NEWS10) — It was announced Tuesday that Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand secured $1,096,431 in supplemental emergency Head Start funding for early childhood education programs during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The pandemic has made it clear that we need to invest more into our young children through programs like Head Start, setting them up for success later in life,” Schumer said in a statement. “This federal funding will bring real results to our young scholars 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 ensure that early childhood education remains a priority, especially during the pandemic.”
The federal funding was reportedly allocated through the Administration for Children & Families, a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The funding will reportedly support the needs of children in low-income families while adhering to COVID-19 standards in the Capital Region.
Specifically, the funds can be used in the following ways:
- Mental health services and crisis response
- Additional classroom staff to meet social distancing standards
- Personnel costs
- The delivery of meals to children in remote settings
- Sanitization supplies
A list of the organizations and respective funding awards can be found below:
| Recipient | Amount | County |
| Albany County Opportunity, Inc. | $142,659 | Albany |
| Parsons Child And Family Center | $28,291 | Albany |
| Columbia Opportunities, Inc | $31,000 | Columbia |
| Fulmont Community Action Agency, Inc. | $85,776 | Montgomery |
| Commission On Economic Opportunity For The Greater Capital R | $178,174 | Rensselaer |
| Saratoga County Economic Opportunity Council, Inc. | $130,621 | Saratoga |
| NYS Federation Of Growers & Processors Associations Inc | $43,039 | Schenectady |
| NYS Federation Of Growers & Processors Associations Inc | $91,495 | Schenectady |
| Schenectady Community Action Program | $117,679 | Schenectady |
| Schoharie County Child Development Council, Inc | $60,194 | Schoharie |
| Warren County Head Start, Inc. | $84,873 | Warren |
| Washington County Economic Opportunity Council, Inc. | $102,630 | Washington |
“At a time when the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted learning across New York State, we must ensure Head Start programs are fully funded so that no child lacks a strong start to their education and development,” Gillibrand said in a statement. “This emergency Head Start funding will help close the growing education gap and ensure students in the Capital Region can continue their education safely during the pandemic. These federal dollars will help deliver school meals to children learning virtually and enhance classroom safety and social distancing requirements for in-person learning.”
Head Start offers child development programs for low-income children from birth to age five, as well as support and services for their families. Head Start programs mostly serve pregnant women, infants, and toddlers. The comprehensive services these programs offer include:
- Early education
- Health screenings
- Social and emotional health services
- Nutrition services
- Social services
- Services for children with disabilities
