WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) and Robert Menendez (D-NJ) today announced $415,405 in federal funding for the Jersey City Child Development Centers, Inc., a local Head Start program.  This discretionary grant, awarded from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, will assist children of pre-school age and their parents with educational and health services, nutrition, and social and disabilities services.

    “Head Start is one of the great success stories in American education,” Sen. Lautenberg said.  “This funding will help level the playing field in Jersey City and make sure that all kids, regardless of income, can develop the skills they need to succeed in elementary school and beyond.”

    “Parents want their children to have the opportunity to reach their full potential, and early childhood development is a crucial part of that,” said Senator Menendez.  “These tough times have made it even clearer that investments in childhood development and education like this not only help our children thrive but also help our nation prosper in the global economy.”

    Jersey City Child Development Centers, Inc. (Project Head Start) is a federally funded program for pre-school children from low income families with 13 offices that serve hundreds of children in Jersey City. the Jersey City Head Start is a part of the National Head Start Programs which are operated in almost every county in the country with the inclusion of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Head Start is a Family Development Program which is designed to meet the basic needs of individual children and families.

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