Niagara Falls, N.Y. (WBEN) - Congressman Tim Kennedy (NY-26) was in Niagara Falls on Monday to announce nearly $2.5 million in federal funds that will be allocated to help continue the Head Start and Early Head Start programs offered by the Niagara Falls City School District (NFCSD).
"We want everybody to have the greatest opportunity to succeed in school. So having this Headstart program is going to establish that foundation for early learning and development skills that will aid in school readiness, regardless of what an individual's circumstances may be," said Rep. Kennedy.
The funding, provided through U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Administration for Children and Families, will now give the NFCSD more funding to help ensure that their Head Start programs can be continued and expanded. Superintendent Mark Laurrie notes that according to a study conducted by the district, children who are a part of the program have better attendance rates, higher test scores. The first group of Head Start students in Niagara Falls are now in sixth grade.
The Head Start programs serve families with income below the poverty level. Not only does this give residents of Niagara Falls the opportunity to start their children early in routine and education, families enrolled in the program receive services that include crisis intervention, education screening, housing counseling and wellness education.
The district offers several learning programs for children under the age of 5 including Head Start and Universal Pre-K. Early Head Start is for children up to 3, offered at the Community Education Center. Head Start, for ages 3 and 4, is at the DiFrancesco Center.
