Bayonne Head Start Receives More than $1.5 in Federal Funds for Early Childhood Education – TAPinto.net
BAYONNE, NJ – The Bayonne Economic Opportunity Foundation has been awarded more than $1.5 million in federal funding to for their Head Start early childhood education program.
“All children, regardless of zip code, are entitled to high-quality, early childhood education that gives them the tools necessary to achieve their dreams,” said Senator Robert Menendez. “This federal funding will provide New Jersey students the opportunities to create, learn and grow in an ever-changing society.” Programs in Cumberland and Essex County also received funding.
The Head Start initiative provides comprehensive child development programs for low-income children and their families. The program has been shown to improve educational outcomes for participating students, including by increasing rates of high school graduation and college attendance. Community organizations are awarded grants to provide Head Start services in their community through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
“Quality early education programs like Head Start are the key to cultivating the skills children need to ensure future success,” said Senator Cory Booker. “In New Jersey, Head Start programs have provided engaging opportunities for our youngest students to create, learn, and explore. This federal funding will help provide students the tools they need to reach their full potential and succeed well into the future.”
Saying that the city is grateful for the funding Mayor Jimmy Davis personally thanked both Menendez and Booker for their strong support of the program.
“Bayonne has been proud to support this program for more than five decades.”
“The $1.5 million to support early childhood programs from Senators Booker and Menendez will enable the BEOF to bring comprehensive after-school programs and extended learning opportunities to the youth of Bayonne” BEOF Executive Director Samantha Howard explained. “This financial blessing comes at the most opportune time as BEOF is currently doing renovations on and remodeling the former Holy Family Academy as its new location for the Bayonne Head Start Program.”