07.23.20

Durbin, Duckworth Announce More Than $10 Million For Head Start Programs In The City Of Chicago

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced that the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Administration for Children and Families has awarded a total of $10,050,044 to support Head Start and Early Head Start programs in the City of Chicago. Head Start and Early Head Start provide comprehensive child development programs for low-income children from birth to age five.

“Head Start and Early Head start programs help ensure that children in Chicago have the strong educational foundation they need to succeed from elementary school to college and beyond,” Durbin said. “During the COVID-19 pandemic, with childcare facilities closed, many families have no place to turn. This federal funding will help get these programs up and running so that, once it’s safe to return, they can continue to support early learning and family well-being.” 

“Programs like Head Start and Early Head Start are critical to giving kids in Chicago—and throughout Illinois—the tools they need to succeed both inside and outside of the classroom and will be especially vital in the eventual aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic,”  Duckworth said.  “Investments in early childhood education and parental support programs go a long way toward helping all children access their full potential and I’m proud to continue supporting this program.”

The City of Chicago will use the funding to help ensure the children from low-income families continue to receive high quality preparation for kindergarten.

-30-