Congresswoman Matsui Announces Nearly $2 Million For Sacramento Early Head-Start Program

Press Release

Today, Congresswoman Doris O. Matsui (D -- Sacramento) announced the release of $1,946,546 in federal funding for the Sacramento Employment and Training Agency (SETA) to support their Early Head Start program (EHS). The Early Head Start program is a national effort to bring prenatal and early childhood care to low-income families, amongst which Sacramento is a leader in services. Today's award was authorized by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, supported by Representative Matsui earlier this year, and comes as a result of a grant letter she wrote earlier this year on SETA's behalf.

"The progress of our regional Early Head Start program has been remarkable, and they are extremely deserving of this award," said Rep. Matsui. "The SETA has administered a program which is family-centered and promotes the development of young children, enabling their parents to fulfill their roles as role models, and helping to move families toward self-sufficiency. Early Head Start affords Sacramentans the opportunity to begin their family on the right foot, regardless of their income. As a mother and grandmother, I know that pregnancy and your child's first years can be an exciting but stressful time. SETA and EHS have helped to lighten that burden for some of the neediest amongst us."

The nearly two-million dollar grant was a discretionary award, designated for Sacramento by the federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Established in 1995, SETA's Early Head Start has been extremely helpful to Sacramento residents, working families and young children. SETA's program has also been nationally recognized for its innovative programs and systems of design. With the infusion of today's funding, the SETA's Early Head Start program will be able to expand their services to directly help struggling Sacramento families.

"This grant will allow SETA Early Head Start to serve an additional 196 children from birth to age three targeting those families most affected by the economic downturn including homeless women with children, families suffering from chronic unemployment and unemployed fathers with children. With this additional recovery act funding, we are able to serve more of our community's children who truly need these services," says Kathy Kossick, Executive Director for SETA Head Start.

Now in its fourteenth year of Early Head Start services, SETA continues to address the needs of Sacramento's most vulnerable citizens. SETA has developed an inclusive plan to partner with many local homeless shelters and food banks to provide comprehensive services. This allows them to reach out to Sacramento's neediest of families to ensure those families have an opportunity to make positive changes in the lives of their children.

"Grants such as this one are critical in helping to sustain and expand vital community services for low-income families dramatically impacted by the recession," continued Rep. Matsui. "I was proud to write a grant letter on behalf of SETA when they applied for this award, and am extremely pleased these funds are now on their way to Sacramento."

To see a list of where over $500 million in Recovery funding is going throughout the Sacramento region, please visit www.matsui.house.gov/recovery.

To see a copy of the Congresswoman's letter of support, click seta_early_head_start_expansion_06-18-09

Source