May 02, 2017

Duckworth, Durbin Announce More Than $2.4 Million For Head Start Programs In Central And Southern Illinois

 

[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) Administration for Children and Families has awarded a total of $2,477,422 to support Head Start and Early Head Start programs at Decatur-Macon County Opportunities Corporation and Western Egyptian Economic Opportunity Council.

"Every child deserves the opportunity to reach his or her full potential, which is why it's so important that programs like Head Start have the resources they need to support Illinois children and families," Duckworth said. "These investments in childhood education and parental support services will help provide children in Central and Southern Illinois with the tools they need to succeed both in and outside of the classroom."

"The Head Start program is the source of countless success stories in Illinois and around the country. It is a stepping stone our nation's children need to succeed from elementary school to college and beyond," said Durbin. "This funding will help level the playing field for families in Southern and Central Illinois by promoting healthy development and school readiness for kindergarten and elementary school children."

Under this announcement, the following Illinois providers will receive funding for Head Start and Early Head Start programs:

· Decatur-Macon County Opportunities Corporation (Decatur, IL): $1,283,013
· Western Egyptian Economic Opportunity Council (Steeleville, IL): $1,194,409

The Decatur-Macon County Opportunities Corporation serves approximately 380 families in Macon County. The Western Egyptian Economic Opportunity Council serves approximately 300 families in Jackson, Monroe, Perry and Randolph Counties.