January 23, 2004

Hood River Head Start to receive more than $700,000 for Operations

SMITH AND WYDEN ANNOUNCE FUNDING FOR HEAD START PROGRAM

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Gordon Smith (R-OR) and Ron Wyden (D-OR) announced today that the Mid-Columbia Children's Council in Hood River will receive $704,701 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to continue providing Head Start services to children aged 3 to 5 years. "Head Start is a terrific program that provides lasting benefit in Oregon communities," said Smith. "Children in Hood River have a great opportunity to learn the skills and lessons that will take them into adulthood." "Head Start has successfully provided comprehensive and essential education services to Oregon children and families for years," said Wyden. "These funds are critical to helping more of our children become strong learners early in life." The Head Start Program created in 1965, is a federal program in the Administration of Children, Youth and Families in the Department of Health and Human Services which provides childcare to underprivileged children.