WASHINGTON, D.C. – The nation’s premiere early childhood programs for low-income children will begin receiving funding provided under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the Department of Health and Human Services announced today. The plan invests $2.2 billion in Head Start and Early Head Start to expand the services for over 70,000 additional children.
“I applaud the Obama administration for getting funds out quickly to critical early education programs. Starting today, the children, families and workers who rely on these programs to get a good early education and for jobs will start to see the stimulative effects of this investment,” said U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee. “The research behind early childhood education is clear – if you invest in these children before they enter the kindergarten classroom, they will have a much higher chance at success in elementary school and through their lives.”
Studies show that every dollar invested in early education generates anywhere from $1.25 to $17 in returns. Specifically, the $1.2 billion in Early Head Start will help the program serve an additional 55,000 children. The $220 million for Head Start will help the program serve an additional 16,000 children.
In March, the Education and Labor Committee held a series of hearings to examine the early learning and child care needs of children and families, as well as collaborative state efforts and other initiatives to deliver high quality care and education to children from birth through age five. To learn more about these hearings, click here.
Studies show that every dollar invested in early education generates anywhere from $1.25 to $17 in returns. Specifically, the $1.2 billion in Early Head Start will help the program serve an additional 55,000 children. The $220 million for Head Start will help the program serve an additional 16,000 children.
In March, the Education and Labor Committee held a series of hearings to examine the early learning and child care needs of children and families, as well as collaborative state efforts and other initiatives to deliver high quality care and education to children from birth through age five. To learn more about these hearings, click here.
# # #
