Congressman Solomon P. Ortiz (D-TX)

HHS GRANT FOR NUECES COUNTY COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCY

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Congressman Solomon P. Ortiz today announced that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has awarded a grant to the Nueces County Community Action Agency (NCCAA) for $4,921,041 to support the Head Start Program in Corpus Christi, Texas.  NCCAA assures the healthy development of three, four, and five year-old children from low-income families.

The Preschool Division of the Head Start Program has a funded enrollment of 1,136 children. There are 21 Head Start sites housing a total of 68 classrooms. There are 18 Head Start Centers in Corpus Christi, two in Robstown, and one in Banquette and Agua Dulce respectively. The agency employs 17 Family Advocates that help build and maintain family and community partnerships on behalf of the Agency.

"I support these grants because it is seed money for our children," said Ortiz, a longtime champion of Head Start.  "This issue is very close to my heart because how these children begin their lives determines their future. Children are our most vulnerable citizens, and the Community Action Agency is a valuable component of child and family services in Nueces County. Head Start is one of the most successful educational programs the nation has seen.  It goes a long way towards making children ready to learn by the time they get to school."

Local contact: Joe A. Martinez, Nueces County Community Action Agency, 361.833-7201