Press Releases

Scranton, PA – Today, U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright (PA-08) announced the second installment of a federal grant for Scranton-Lackawanna Head Start NKA Agency for Community Empowerment of NEPA for 2022. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services grant disbursement of $4,638,626 will be used for the continuation of high-quality, comprehensive, early childhood education for children in Northeastern Pennsylvania.

“As a senior member of the Appropriations Committee, I will continue to fight for federal investments like this for our children’s success and for the sake of our country’s future,” said Rep. Cartwright. “I applaud Jim Wansacz and Scranton-Lackawanna Head Start NKA Agency for Community Empowerment of NEPA for their dedication to enhancing the quality of life for children and families in Northeastern Pennsylvania.”

“On behalf of the 1,400 families enrolled in our Early Learning Program, we would like to thank Congressmen Cartwright for his support. The pandemic has really showed how important early childhood education is to our society, and this program provides the foundation for an at-risk child to gain an education,” said Jim Wansacz, Executive Director of Scranton Lackawanna Human Development Agency Inc. “This funding will provide our families with high-quality Pre-K education.”

Head Start programs provide children and their families with education services focused on early learning, health and family well-being. These programs promote children’s growth and development and give parents an opportunity to become actively engaged in their child’s education. Head Start programs have served more than 36 million children since 1965, growing from an eight-week demonstration project to include full-day/full-year services and many program options. Currently, Head Start grants are authorized by the U.S. Congress and administered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services through the Administration for Children and Families. Head Start programs serve over 1 million children and their families each year in urban, suburban, and rural areas in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and U.S. territories.