WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker today announced that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has awarded $12,907,359 to support Head Start and Early Head Start programs in Essex County.

“Every child in New Jersey, regardless of which zip code they live in, deserves the opportunity for high-quality early childhood education in order to reach their full potential in school and beyond,” said Sen. Menendez. “These federal investments in Head Start and Early Head Start are so important because these programs work and make a real difference for our youngest children.”

“Quality early education programs like Head Start are the key to cultivating the skills children need to ensure future success,” said Sen. Booker. “In New Jersey, Head Start programs have provided engaging opportunities for our youngest citizens to create, learn, and explore. This federal investment will help provide students the tools they need to reach their full potential and succeed well into the future.”

The following received awards:

  • The Leaguers – $4,855,480
  • The Leaguers – $3,328,359
  • Montclair Child Development Center – $2,395,231
  • East Orange Child Development Corporation – 2,328,289

Sens. Menendez and Booker recently announced $2.7 million to support Head Start and Early Head Start programs for Ocean Community Economic Action Now, Inc and $5.5 million to support programs in South Jersey. Last week, Sens. Menendez and Booker and Rep. Josh Gottheimer announced $13 million to support Head Start programs in Bergen County.

Both Head Start and Early Head Start provide comprehensive child development programs for low-income children, from birth to age five, and their families. The program has been shown to improve educational outcomes for participating students, including by increasing rates of high school graduation and college attendance. Community organizations are awarded grants to provide Head Start services in their community through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

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