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Renzi Votes to Improve Head Start
House-Passed Bill Provides Services to Over One Million Children Each Year

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Rep. Rick Renzi (AZ-01) voted to pass H.R. 1429, the Improving Head Start Act of 2007, which would reauthorize the Head Start program.

This legislation will strengthen and improve the Head Start program, which provides services to over one million children each year. 

A provision of the bill was specifically written to strengthen the Native American Head Start program, providing an immediate funding increase of approximately $45 million a year directly to this program.

"It is crucial for Congress to pass legislation that will continue to provide the needed resources for our children to succeed in school," said Congressman Renzi. "I am particularly pleased that additional funding was allotted for the Native American Head Start programs which are so vital to children in my district. I look forward to continuing to support programs that ensure all children are given the opportunity to succeed."

As mandated by the Department of Health and Human Services, Head Start is a national program that promotes school readiness by enhancing the social and educational development of children.  Head Start programs provide educational, health, nutritional, social and other services to enrolled children and families.

Grants are allocated by Head Start to public schools, private non-profit and for-profit agencies to provide these necessary child development services to lower income families in order to better prepare them for school.

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