Sen. Lewis Applauds State Grant for Local Head Start Provider

Senator Jason Lewis and other local state legislators hailed the recent announcement that the Department of Early Education and Care awarded a $2.5 million Head Start State Supplemental Grant to the Head Start and Early Head Start programs run by Action for Boston Community Development (ABCD). The ABCD Head Start and Early Head Start programs serve children and families from Boston, Everett, Malden, Medford, Melrose, North Reading, Reading, Stoneham, Wakefield, and Winchester.

“I’m very pleased to see our state providing this significant level of support to our local Head Start and Early Head Start programs,” said Senator Jason Lewis, who serves as the Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Education which has jurisdiction over early education and care programs. “The high quality early education programs run by ABCD are critical to the early development and well-being of many vulnerable children and low-income families in our communities.”

“We know the social and economic challenges Head Start families face, but more importantly, we know their children’s potential,” said ABCD President/CEO John J. Drew. “The pandemic severely impacted these folks, and we are grateful to the EEC, Senator Lewis, and all those who understand the value of the comprehensive education, health, and family support services that Head Start and Early Head Start provide and secured this critical funding.”

Head Start programs promote the school readiness of infants, toddlers, and preschool-aged children from low-income families. Head Start programs support children’s growth in a positive learning environment through a variety of services, and are available at no cost to children ages birth to 5 from low-income families. Families and children experiencing homelessness, children in the foster care system, and children with disabilities and other special needs are also eligible.