Press Releases

Today, U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright announced that the Scranton Lackawanna Head Start received $4,297,661 in federal funds from  the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). These funds are used for the continuation of high quality, comprehensive, early childhood education.

Head Start is a federal program created in 1965 to address the educational and developmental needs of low-income, pre-school children. Head Start’s comprehensive service system provides social, nutritional, and educational services for thousands of children and their families across the United States. Head Start emphasizes the role of parents as their child's first and most important teacher.

“I am a proud proponent of these programs that work to break the cycle of poverty by ensuring children are better prepared for success in school,” said Rep. Cartwright.  “Head Start and Early Head Start programs are an important investment in our community and our economy.”

“We are so excited to receive these funds and to be able to extend our programming to full day services,” said Ann Lynady, Project Director SLHDA Head Start. “It is allowing us to move five classrooms or 100 children this September to full day programming. Studies show that full day programming improves child outcomes both socially and academically to ensure all of our children enter school ready to learn.  It will also offer our parents quality care for their children, enabling them to enter the workforce or return to school.  The Head Start Community is profoundly grateful to Congressman Cartwright for his support for the wise investment of funds in Early Learning Programs.”

Head Start services are funded and overseen by The Office of Head Start (OHS), within the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), a division of the Department of Health & Human Services. The AFC promotes the economic and social well-being of children, families, individuals, and communities with leadership and resources for compassionate, effective delivery of human services.