New York State's Early Head Start Programs Receive $14 Million in Federal Stimulus Funds

ALBANY, NY (11/30/2009)(readMedia)-- Governor David A. Paterson and NYS Office of Children and Family Services Commissioner Gladys Carrion announced today that the federal government is providing $14 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act grants to expand services at 16 Early Head Start programs across New York State. Nearly 1,000 children will benefit from this expansion of Early Head Start programs.

Early Head Start is a federal program that serves low-income pregnant women and families with newborn to three-year-old children by promoting healthy prenatal outcomes, enhancing the development of very young children, and promoting healthy family functioning.

Governor Paterson said: "This expansion of Early Head Start will result in some of our most vulnerable families receiving the services that they need to support their children's healthy growth and development. This is a long-term investment in our most vulnerable children, and I thank the Obama Administration and our Congressional delegation for including this Early Head Start in the stimulus program."

Commissioner Carrion said: "Early Head Start helps families develop the skills and confidence they need to become successful parents. We are pleased that these federal funds will help so many more additional families."

Early Head Start programs provide quality early education and care both in and out of the home; parenting education, including parent-child activities; comprehensive health and mental health services; nutrition and ongoing parent support. This evidence-based program has been proven to have an impact across a wide range of child and parenting outcomes that contribute to children's success in school.

To locate a Head Start or Early Head Start program near you, contact the Early Childhood Learning & Knowledge Center at 1-866-763-6481 or visit its website at http://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/hslc/ .

The following programs are receiving grants to expand their Early Head Start programs:

Parsons Child and Family Center, Albany -- $649,933

Pro Action of Steuben and Yates, Inc., Bath -- $737,564

ACORD Corporation, Belmont -- $776,315

Kingsbridge Heights Community Center Inc., Bronx -- $1,015,166

Yeled V'Yalda Early Childhood Center Inc., Brooklyn -- $1,700,356

Community Action Organization of Erie County Inc., Buffalo -- $1,221,558

Wayne County Action Program Inc., Lyons -- $708,552

Community Action Program for Madison County Inc., Madison -- $140,936

New York Foundling, New York -- $985,899

The Children's Aid Society, New York -- $774,047

University Settlement Society of New York , New York -- $704,792

P.E.A.C.E. Inc., Onondaga -- $1,017,411

Astor Services for Children and Families, Rhinebeck -- $694,893

New Square Community Improvement Council Inc., Spring Valley -- $840,289

Commission on Economic Opportunity, Troy -- $1,126,032

Sullivan County Head Start Inc., Woodbourne -- $1,016,234

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