Joco Today

On June 13, 2023, Representative Sharice Davids announced the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) awarded a renewal of $1.8 million to Growing Futures Early Education Center, a Head Start program in Overland Park, Kansas. These new resources will be used to continue providing early education opportunities and family support services at no cost to eligible children and families in Johnson County. 

“The first few years of a child’s life are critical for development, and Head Start programs teach social and emotional skills, while preparing children to succeed in their future educational endeavors,” said Davids. “The benefits of Head Start programs appear immediately and last a lifetime. I am proud to continue to support funding for programs like Growing Futures throughout the Kansas Third.”

Growing Futures Early Education Center has served children and families in Johnson County since 1965. Their Head Start (ages three to five) and Early Head Start (ages zero to three) early education programs are available to eligible students that live inside county lines. In addition, Growing Futures offers families a variety of health care support services, including medical immunizations, dental examinations, mental and behavioral health programming, and nutrition assistance. 

Currently, Growing Futures Early Education Center has 223 enrolled students, with an active waitlist of more than 200 children. In Johnson County, 5.9% of the population lives below the poverty line, while the number of people experiencing poverty has increased by 134% over the past decade. Most students in Head Start programs come from low-income households, where children statistically have lower testing scores, are at higher risk of poor health, and are less likely to graduate high school. 

Davids previously visited Growing Futures Early Education Center in March of 2022. As a first-generation college student who worked her way from Leavenworth High School to Cornell Law School, Davids understands the value of a quality education for the success of a student. In the 117th Congress, she announced funding for three additional Head Start programs: Kansas City Kansas Public School's Successful Beginnings, The Family Conservancy, and the University of Kansas Medical Center's Project Eagle. Davids also voted for the American Rescue Plan, which allocated about $29 million to Kansas' Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) program to support early intervention and special education services.

Background: 

Since its creation in 1965, Head Start has reached over 40 million children across the United States. Nationwide, children ages 0-5 whose families meet federal poverty guidelines, are experiencing homelessness, receiving public assistance services, or are in the foster care system are eligible for Head Start programs. Head Start has options for every child’s specific learning needs, including home-based services, center-based services, or a combination of settings. 

Long-term benefits of Head Start programs are not just limited to educational success. Children involved in Head Start are healthier, have better social and emotional skills, and are more likely to graduate high school. In adulthood, statistics show that former Head Start students experience greater economic stability in comparison to non-Head Start students. 

Federal funding for this grant was authorized by H.R. 2617, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023, which Davids voted to support in 2022.

Original source can be found here.