Press Releases

Eighth Congressional District – Today, U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright (PA-08) announced that the Department of Health and Human Services has awarded $4,955,974 to Luzerne County Head Start Inc. and $4,638,625 to the Agency for Community EmPOWERment of NEPA to support their Head Start programs. Head Start provides high quality, comprehensive early childhood education for low-income children and their families to prepare them for a successful transition to elementary school.

“Every child deserves the opportunity to pursue the American dream, and that starts with a high-quality early childhood education experience,” said Rep. Cartwright. “Families should feel confident that their children have every opportunity to start their education off on the right foot, and I am grateful to our district’s Head Start programs for providing that solid educational foundation for our youngest citizens.”

“Head Start provides a vital service to meet the needs of both children and their families,” said Lynn Evans Biga, Executive Director of Luzerne County Head Start. “With this funding, we will be able to continue the necessary work of supporting families and to providing young children with a high-quality early childhood education. Head Start helps them develop into successful and responsible adults. It wouldn’t be possible without support from Congressional advocates, like Matt Cartwright.”

“Head Start is an important piece to ensuring that children have the right foundation towards their education,” said Jim Wansacz, Executive Director of the Agency for Community EmPOWERment of NEPA. “The Agency for Community EmPOWERment of NEPA on behalf of the 1,400 children that we serve in four counties would like to thank Congressman Cartwright for his support of this vital federal investment into Northeastern PA. Nearly all of our families have incomes below 100% of poverty and without this federal investment, these children would not have the means to attend a Pre-K Education.  Study after study have shown that Pre-K Education is a key to a successful learning experience.”

Head Start programs provide low-income families with educational services focused on early learning, health and family well-being, promoting children’s growth and development while actively engaging parents in their child’s education. The Head Start program serves 1 million children and pregnant women in communities across the country. These services are funded and overseen by the Office of Head Start (OHS) within the Administration for Children and Families, a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.