News from the
Committee on Education and the Workforce
John Boehner, Chairman

   

COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION AND THE WORKFORCE
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

September 13, 2005

 Assistance for Children & Families Impacted by Hurricane Katrina: the Head Start Program

Dear Colleague:

 

Children and families across the Gulf Coast region have seen their lives uprooted with the damage and destruction of homes and community resources caused by Hurricane Katrina.  The devastation may be particularly difficult for young children who are developing the early learning skills that are so critical for future success.  The federal Head Start early childhood program plays a vital role in helping disadvantaged 3- and 4-year-olds gain the comprehensive services, skills and academic foundation they need to prepare for kindergarten and beyond, and that’s why it is so important for displaced children and families to continue to have access to Head Start and Early Head Start as communities work to rebuild.

 

The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services yesterday announced $15 million in emergency funding to help Head Start and Early Head Start programs provide services to children and families displaced by Hurricane Katrina (information available online here).  In addition, the Department issued guidance last week, available online here, with information on waivers and funding for Head Start and Early Head Start programs working to serve these children and families.  We hope you will find this information useful as a first step in helping your constituents and others impacted by this unprecedented natural disaster.

 

In the coming days and weeks, we will continue to provide you with the latest available information on relief for communities impacted by Hurricane Katrina, and we will continue to work closely with the Department to ensure we are meeting the needs of children and families.  For more information, visit the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services website at http://www.hhs.gov/ or contact the Education & the Workforce Committee at x5-4527.

  

Sincerely,

 

/s/

 

John Boehner

Chairman

Education & the Workforce Committee

/s/

 

Mike Castle

Chairman

Education Reform Subcommittee