Castor: Head Start Finally Making Up Lost Ground

Press Release

Today, U.S. Representative Kathy Castor (D-Tampa/St. Petersburg, FL) announced her support for the bipartisan omnibus appropriations bill and highlighted the restoration of funding for Head Start students which had been severely hurt by sequester cuts.

"More young students across America will have an opportunity to attend Head Start classes due to the substantial restoration of federal monies by Congress. Head Start parents and supporters were severely critical of the harsh sequester cuts to Head Start students nationwide - as was I," Rep. Castor said. "Today I am proud to announce to these same parents that we are standing with you and taking action."

The bipartisan compromise bill which funds the government until October includes $8.6 billion for Head Start. The increase is $612 million more than the 2013 enacted level, $1.025 billion more than the sequester level, and will help restore preschool student slots and teachers cut under the sequester.

"Across America, students were dropped, classroom upgrades delayed, transportation services were cut and teachers lost their jobs. Today we are taking a step to restore funding and help families and children," Rep. Castor said.

The bill also boosts Early Head Start by designating $500 million for expansion and creates a $250 million competitive grant program for states to develop or expand high-quality preschool programs for 4-year-olds from families at or below 200 percent of the poverty level. "Hillsborough and Pinellas educators should actively work to bring grant dollars for high-quality preschool back to our community," noted Rep. Castor

"Head Start is a lifeline for families and allows parents to work and build economic stability in their lives," Rep. Castor said. "In addition, research has consistently shown that high-quality, pre-kindergarten programs have produced substantial positive outcomes -- including school readiness, educational attainment and decreases in social problems."

Rep. Castor has been an outspoken advocate for Head Start students and families and was awarded the distinguished advocate award in 2013 by the Hillsborough Head Start Community Foundation.

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