NORWICH – Extending local funding is on the priority list for United States Congressman Michael Arcuri, D-Utica, who voted last week in favor of reauthorizing funding for Head Start programs through 2012 and improving the Head Start Act of 2007.
As a father, Arcuri said he is aware of how important it is to provide children with a solid foundation so they can succeed in school and later on in life.
“The national Head Start program has helped millions of children start kindergarten on an even playing field, and the bill we passed would allow the program to continue to serve our communities,” he said.
The new bill could authorize an additional $450 million for 2008 to a maximum of $7.4 billion over the next five years allowing up to 10,000 more children to have access to the Head Start program nationwide.
The quality of Head Start’s workforce could be improved by increasing funding for teacher and staff salaries and professional development. The bill would strengthen training and technical staff and allow agencies to hire additional staff. It could also update the program’s curriculum by incorporating the latest science on early childhood brain development.
Early Head Start programs could also be enhanced with the bill’s passage.
The bill could also increase accountability by devising a new system of application review that assesses program quality and makes low quality centers re-apply. The federal Health and Human Services Department would have the authority to strip bad programs of funding.
In addition, the bill could allow full-day, full-year programs.
Opportunities for Chenango Head Start Director Karen Randall says the additional funding would ease some of the stress felt locally. Funding was cut in the past, she said, including a one percent reduction last year that wasfelt by all seven of Head Start facilities in Chenango County.
“There’s money included in the bill that would help us fund not only the six pre-school facilities better, but the infant and family center would also benefit,” she said. OFC’s Head Start program is one of few that offer both infant and pre-school facilities.
The bill has been passed through the House of Representatives and is currently up for review within the Senate.
Randall said that the funding will benefit local children and their families. Currently, guidelines for enrollment are based on 100 percent poverty level. With this bill, the guidelines would change to serve those at a 130 percent poverty level. Locally, there are 98 Early Head Start families and 221 pre-school Head Start children being served. There is a waiting list for both programs.
“If income guidelines increase from 100 to 130 percent of the poverty level and more enrollment opportunities were available as well as expansion, up to 22 more families would be able to be served,” said Randall. If passed, the re-authorization will last for five years.