Washington, DC (March 2, 2006) – Congressman Rubén Hinojosa (TX-15) today announced the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has awarded Hidalgo County Head Start Programs with a $17,174,900 grant for its various Head Start and Early Head Start projects.

“Every month, I meet students who have benefited from Head Start programs – those who would not have graduated from high school, or thought that college was an option.  And time and time again, I see how much Head Start programs help them and their families succeed.  Clearly, Head Start has a proven track record that needs to be supported, and this substantial grant for Hidalgo County will do just that,” said Hinojosa. 

The Head Start program is administered by the Head Start Bureau, the Administration on Children, Youth and Families (ACYF), Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Grants are awarded by the ACF Regional Offices and the Head Start Bureau's American Indian - Alaska Native and Migrant and Seasonal Program Branches directly to local public agencies, private organizations, Indian Tribes and school systems for the purpose of operating Head Start programs at the community level.

The Head Start program delivers comprehensive and high quality services designed to foster healthy development in low-income children. Head Start grantee and delegate agencies provide a range of individualized services in the areas of education and early childhood development; medical, dental, and mental health; nutrition; and parent involvement. In addition, the entire range of Head Start services is responsive and appropriate to each child's and family's developmental, ethnic, cultural, and linguistic heritage and experience.

The program is locally administered by community-based non-profit organizations and school systems.