September 19, 2002
For Immediate Release

Congressman Kirk Announces $2 Million in Head Start Funding for Lake County

Waukegan, IL - U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk (R-Highland Park) announced today that Lake County has received over $2 million in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for their early Head Start programs. The Lake County Family YMCA and the Lake County Community Action Project were the beneficiaries of the grants, which will try to go toward education programs for young children across Lake County.

"When we enroll our children in early childhood programs like Head Start, it provides them with the skills necessary to excel in elementary school and beyond," said Congressman Kirk. "I applaud the efforts of the Lake County Community Action Project and the YMCA. Their dedication to our youth has not gone unnoticed."

A significant portion of the grant money will be used to help fund a Head Start program designed to help children with physical and mental disabilities. The funds will be used to train staff that work with disabled children, helping them develop programs specifically geared toward the disabled. Over $1.3 million was dedicated to this Head Start project.

"Head Start has paved the way for low income students to benefit from education programs that will give them the tools necessary to be successful in school," said Rep. Kirk. "With organizations like the YMCA and the Lake County Community Action Project dedicated to helping children of low income families, we must continue to provide needed funds to assure that no child is left behind."

Head Start is a federal program created to provide educational and social opportunities for low income families and their children. A wide variety of services are offered though Head Start, including; after school activities for children, health examinations, sports camps and tutoring. Study after study has shown that low-income children enrolled in Head Start programs excel in the classroom and live healthier lives than those not enrolled.

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