Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Ike Skelton (D-MO) announced that the Children’s Therapy Center of Pettis County will receive an FY2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Cost-of-Living Allowance and Quality Improvement grant.  The agency will be awarded $87,679.  These funds will be made available by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) and will be distributed through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.  
  
          “I am so pleased that the Children’s Therapy Center of Pettis County will benefit from funds associated with the Recovery Act passed by Congress.  This funding will help the agency to sustain jobs in rural America and ensure pre-school aged children, enrolled in the Head Start program, enter into kindergarten prepared to learn, grow, and achieve their dreams,” said Skelton.

          The FY2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Cost-of-Living Allowance and Quality Improvement grant will be distributed to Head Start and Early Head Start programs, as well as Head Start delegate agencies.  The grant will be used to pay for increased operating costs, to increase staff salaries and benefits, to attract and retain qualified staff, and to provide professional development and staff training.

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Congressman Ike Skelton (D-MO) serves as Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee . For further information, please contact Rebecca Loving or Whitney Frost at 202-225-2876, or check Congressman Skelton’s website at http://www.house.gov/skelton.