U.S. Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker (both D-N.J.) today announced the awarding of $48,994,049 in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Humans Services (HHS) to support several Head Start early childhood education programs across New Jersey. The senators secured the funding through the American Rescue Plan, December’s emergency COVID relief package and the 2021 budget.

A number of programs across the state are receiving funding, including the Lakewood Economic Action program, which will receive $71,790.

“Every family, regardless of their income or zip code, deserves access to affordable child care and early education,” said Sen. Menendez. “Head Start allows more children to have access to the resources and tools they need to achieve their full potential in life, while giving mothers a greater opportunity to remain or reenter the workforce to provide for their family.”

“For decades, Head Start programs have provided millions of children and families across our nation with educational, social, and health services, making it critical that we continue investing in these initiatives as we recover from this pandemic,” said Sen. Booker. “These federal funds will do exactly this by allowing more of our state’s children to receive the support and quality education they need at a young age to thrive later in life.”

The Head Start initiative provides comprehensive child development programs for low-income children and their families. Children who participate in Head Start programs often have higher rates of high school graduation and college attendance later in life.