Congressman John D. Dingell

May 9, 2008

Washington, DC - Congressman John D. Dingell (D-MI15) today salutes Washtenaw County Head Start for its recognition by the National Head Start Program as a Program of Excellence.  This award honors the Washtenaw County organization’s impact on the lives of more than 560 children enrolled in the local chapter.  The award ceremony, which will be held at Eastern Michigan University on May 9th, celebrates the continued commitment of Head Start in helping to break the cycle of poverty in Washtenaw County. 

“It is a privilege and a pleasure to offer my congratulations to Washtenaw County Head Start for receiving this award for Program of Excellence,” Dingell said.  “For decades this program has offered Washtenaw County families and children the opportunity to learn and grow in a supportive community environment.  The Washtenaw County Head Start program has also been a tremendous ally in the fight to pass a better to SCHIP bill, recognizing firsthand the importance of healthcare coverage for uninsured children.  This award speaks to the quality, innovation and excellence that Washtenaw County Head Start has demonstrated throughout the years.  I am confident that, as this program continues more and more children and their families will have access to greater opportunities in Washtenaw County.  I look forward to working with this fine program in the future.”

Pat Horne Mcgee, Director of Washtenaw County Head Start, added: “We are delighted to receive this award and to have had the continuous support of Congressman Dingell in our work toward Excellence.  Collectively parents, staff, Washtenaw County Government, the local school districts, our community and family partners have worked diligently not just for the award but to assure the utmost in quality for the children and families that we have the pleasure of serving.  Indeed we believe that we are a Program of Excellence in the context of a Community of Excellence and will continue to strive to maintain that as we work to meet the ongoing needs of Head Start eligible children and families in Washtenaw County.”

A long time supporter of Head Start, Congressman Dingell recently signed a letter requesting Representatives David Obey (D-WI07) and James Walsh (R-NY 25) allocate an additional $1.072 billion to the National Head Start Program for Fiscal Year (FY) 2009.  Congressman Dingell also supported H.R. 1429, the Improving Head Start for School Readiness Act.  This bill improves teacher qualifications and targets new funding towards workforce development so that teachers are skilled in the current best practices in early childhood education.  More importantly, this legislation authorizes increased funding for Head Start, $7.35 billion for FY2008, $7.65 billion for FY2009 and $7.99 billion for FY2010, allowing thousands more children access to Head Start.  This bill became law on December 12, 2007.

Washtenaw County Government has been the grantee for Head Start since the program began in 1965. The High/Scope Perry Preschool Program, considered to be an early model for Head Start, was developed by the Division of Special Services of the Ypsilanti School District between 1962 and 1967.  A recent study in 2005 of the Perry Preschool participants at age 40 found that the adults who attended the Perry Preschool were more likely to hold a job, had committed fewer crimes and were more likely to have graduated from high school than adults who did not attend such a program.