January 24 - Head Start programs in the Tazewell area will continue to serve families in the community with the help of a federal grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Congressman Zach Wamp announced that the department will award federal funding to Head Start programs administered by the Clinch-Powell Educational Cooperative. This funding is the second grant award to complete the full funding of Head Start for the 2007-2008 program year. 

Congressman Wamp has had the opportunity to visit with the staff and spend time reading a couple of books with the children of the Clinch-Powell Head Start programs. “I have seen first hand the excellent work carried out in Early Head Start and Head Start at the Tazewell center,” he said. 

“Head Start gives many children the foundation they need to be productive and successful adults in our society,” said Congressman Wamp. “That’s why I was pleased that the Head Start reauthorization, with my support, passed the Congress in December and has now become law.” 

Located in Tazewell, Clinch-Powell Education Cooperative has operated Head Start educational programs for young children since 1972, and provides services to 533 children at 17 sites in Campbell, Claiborne, Hancock and Scott counties. They have 130 total employees and serve a total of 272 children in Claiborne County alone. 

Head Start began in 1965 and is administered by the Administration for Children and Families, one of the principal components of Health and Human Services. Its programs promote school readiness by enhancing the social and cognitive development of children through the provision of educational, health, nutritional, social and other services.