NEWARK, NJ – Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker (both D-NJ) today announced $2,284,755 in Federal funding for The Children's Home Society of New Jersey to support their Head Start and Early Head Start programs. The award was granted by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

“We must always ensure our most vulnerable students don’t fall behind by providing them the opportunity to get a head start on crucial educational and social development that puts them on a path to academic success.” said Senator Menendez. “That is why I will continue fighting for critical federal funding in proven, quality early education programs for New Jerseyans.”

“All children, regardless of their family’s socioeconomic status, deserve a fair shot at reaching their full potential,” said Sen. Booker. “That is why one of the most sound investments New Jersey can make is to provide our children with access to quality early education programs. I am committed to continue bringing federal resources back home to support organizations such as The Children's Home Society of New Jersey, who do just that.”

Head Start is a federal program that promotes the school readiness of children ages birth to five from low-income families by enhancing their cognitive, social and emotional development. Head Start programs provide comprehensive services to enrolled children and their families, which include health, nutrition, social services and other services determined to be necessary by family needs assessments, in addition to education and cognitive development services.

Head Start was founded as part of Lyndon B. Johnson's War on Poverty in 1965. Since then, Head Start has grown from an eight-week demonstration project to include full day/year services with numerous program options. Head Start has served over 30 million children and their families in urban and rural areas in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. territories.

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