Feingold Announces Head Start Programs in Wisconsin Receive More Than $9.7 Million in Stimulus Funding

U.S. Senator Russ Feingold

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Russ Feingold announced Friday that Wisconsin will receive more than $9.7 million in funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), also known as the economic stimulus, for Head Start and Early Head Start programs. The funding will help Head Start programs in Wisconsin serve more children, hire more staff, upgrade classrooms, increase hours of operation and improve transportation services. There are 54 Head Start programs in Wisconsin that help young children prepare for success in school through developmental, educational, health, nutritional, and social services.

“This stimulus funding for Wisconsin Head Start programs not only invests in a successful educational future for our children, but it also helps put more Wisconsinites back to work by improving Head Start centers and retaining and hiring more staff,” Feingold said. “Without recovery funds, the economic downturn would have forced cuts to Head Start that would have hurt early child care workers and the families that depend on this important program. This funding will help ensure this successful program, and the dedicated people it employs, are able to continue preparing Wisconsin children for success.”

Head Start programs in Wisconsin will receive $4,464,745 to pay for cost-of-living increases for current staff and higher operating costs. Another $5,242,867 will be available for quality improvements to current programs like upgrading classrooms, increasing hours of operation and improving transportation services. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Regional Offices will be contacting Head Start and Early Head Start centers about their funding increases.

Posted @ 11:30 p.m.

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