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Costa Announces $19.7 Million for Fresno Head Start

June 6, 2012

Fresno, CA– Rep. Jim Costa announced today that Fresno County Economic Opportunities Commission will receive $19.7 million for Head Start and Early Head Start programs in Fresno.

"Head Start programs provide families with the services necessary to ensure their children are ready when they start kindergarten," said Costa. "I have long supported this program because it helps address many of the barriers that low-income children in our Valley face. It is imperative that Fresno children have the tools they need for academic success long before their parents snap their photos on the first day of kindergarten."

Brian Angus, Executive Director of the Fresno Economic Opportunities Commission, added, "Fresno County EOC has provided Head Start programs in our community since 1968. We are attracting national recognition as a best practice Head Start model. We attribute our program success to our dedicated Head Start team including administration, teachers, and families. We know that investing in our youth, invests in our community."

Head Start provides comprehensive early childhood education and development services to low-income preschool children on a part- or full-day basis. Under current law, Head Start funds are provided directly by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to local grantees, which must comply with detailed federal performance standards.