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Head Start receives $1.5 million federal grant

A grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services totaling more than $1.5 million has been awarded to SIUC's Head Start.

U.S. Rep. Jerry Costello, D-Ill., announced Tuesday the donation to the federal agency, which is locally owned by the University.

The exact sum of the grant is $1,507,704.

Costello spokesman David Gillies said the grant acts as a continuation for Head Start's services.

The money is expected to be used for the full-year, part-day Handicapped Training and Technical Assistance program, which trains and coaches the program's workers who care for children with disabilities.

Head Start has locations in Carbondale, Marion, Murphysboro and Johnston City and provides educational opportunities for children who come from low-income households.

Previous donations from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services are $741,777 in 2001 and $1.25 million in 2002.

In April, SIUE was awarded a $7.8 million Head Start grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for fiscal year 2005 operations. Costello then said part of that funding would go toward the agency's Handicapped Training and Technical Assistance program, which is based in East St. Louis as part of the University's St. Clair County Head Start program.

Costello said in a press release that the accomplishments of agencies like Head Start remain a priority of the federal government. He also said he believes the grant would continue Head Start's goals for the future.

"Head Start is one of our most valuable programs for young children," Costello said. "This funding will continue an outstanding initiative to benefit children and to give them the opportunity to learn and succeed."