News Release

Head Start Provides $15M to Help Hurricane Evacuees

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) today announced $15 million in emergency funding to assist Head Start and Early Head Start grantees in providing services to children and families displaced by Hurricane Katrina.

�Many Head Start programs have seen large numbers of evacuees moving into their community in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina,� HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt said. �At this critical time of recovery and restoration, the Bush Administration is expanding our outreach through Head Start to protect the health and well-being of children and families.�

The $15 million announcement will enable Head Start and Early Head Start grantees to provide services to evacuee children and families over the next 30 days. To receive services, a family must have been forced to leave their home because of Hurricane Katrina.

�Services will be available to help children even if their parents do not have their child�s birth certificate on hand,� said Wade F. Horn, Ph.D., HHS� assistant secretary for children and families.

In addition, HHS is collaborating with Head Start and Early Head Start grantees to ensure health services associated with Head Start are provided to the needy as quickly as possible.

Evacuees with children generally five years and younger seeking Head Start and Early Head Start services are encouraged to call the Head Start toll free number at 1-866-763-6481.

The Head Start and Early Head Start programs currently serve over 900,000 children nationwide.