Congressman Ruben Hinojosa Announces U.S. Department Of Health And Human Services Grant For Hidalgo County Head Start Programs

Press Release

Congressman Rubén Hinojosa (TX-15) announced that the United States Department of Health and Human Services has awarded Hidalgo County Head Start Programs with a $11,347,294 grant for its various Head Start and Early Head Start projects.

"Holistic early childhood development programs like Head Start prepare our youngest learners for success in school," said Congressman Hinojosa. This Head Start grant will provide much-needed education and health services to scores of low-income children in Hidalgo County and ensure that they are healthy and ready for kindergarten. Created by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1965, Head Start programs continue to help disadvantaged preschool-aged children and their families succeed."

The Head Start program is administered by the Head Start Bureau, the Administration on Children, Youth and Families (ACYF), Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Grants are awarded by the ACF Regional Offices and the Head Start Bureau's American Indian - Alaska Native and Migrant and Seasonal Program Branches directly to local public agencies, private organizations, Indian Tribes and school systems for the purpose of operating Head Start programs at the community level.

The Head Start program delivers comprehensive and high quality services designed to foster healthy development and school readiness for low-income through agencies in their local community. Head Start grantee and delegate agencies provide a range of individualized services in the areas of education and early childhood development; medical, dental, and mental health; nutrition; and parent involvement. In addition, the entire range of Head Start services is responsive and appropriate to each child's and family's developmental, ethnic, cultural, and linguistic heritage and experience.

The program is locally administered by community-based non-profit organizations and school systems.

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