Stimulus funds will go toward improving early childhood development, education
CARROLLTON, Ky. - Governor Beshear visited with officials in Carrollton today to announce the Carroll County School District will receive over $2.12 million in stimulus funding as a part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) Early Head Start Expansion Grant.
“Providing all children with a happy, healthy start to life and a strong educational foundation is imperative for their success and for the future of the Commonwealth,” said Gov. Beshear. “The expansion of Early Head Start programs in Carroll County will not only enable advanced opportunities for creative and innovative early childhood development, but programs that will strengthen families and enhance critical parent-child relationships.”
The Carroll County Early Head Start program will provide high quality educational, health, nutritional, social and family support services to 80 infants and toddlers, pregnant women and their families in Carroll County. Beginning in June 2010, 40 children will be served by nurturers visiting their homes, 24 children will be served in a program center and 16 children will receive a combination of home-based and center-based care.
“This is an example of what Gov. Beshear has strived for, and will have a significant impact on our young children and their families,” said Carroll County Judge Executive Judge Harold “Shorty” Tomlinson. “A strong and healthy start will enhance their skills and learning ability.”
The announcement is the most recent in a series of initiatives led by Gov. Beshear to improve and expand early childhood wellness and development across Kentucky. In 2008, the Governor created the first-ever Task Force on Early Childhood Development and Education, bringing together a diverse group of community and education leaders to promote greater collaboration among service-providers to young children, bring a renewed emphasis to quality at all levels and determine a common understanding and definition of “school readiness.”
“We’re been planning for this opportunity for several years, understanding the great need for early childhood services in Carroll County,” said Pam Williams, Elementary Instructional Supervisor for Carroll County Schools, who served as Head Start Coordinator from 2003 to 2008. “A lot of people have put in a lot of hours planning, preparing and writing this grant proposal.”
“The future success of our commonwealth is dependent upon the education, health and welfare of our youngest citizens,” Beshear said. “We must all work together to provide for them a solid foundation on which to build happy, healthy, successful lives.”
###