Higgins: $2 million-plus for Niagara County Head Start

Congressman Brian Higgins, D-NY-26, announced the award of more than $2.12 million in federal funding through the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services for Niagara County Head Start Inc.

"When we provide children with the tools to learn at an early age, it opens doors to education and opportunity for years to come," Higgins said.

Niagara County Head Start Executive Director Geraldine Donovan said the organization has been in the business of Head Start since 1977 and currently serves 470 children.

Head Start is based on a national model that promotes school readiness among low-income families with a particular focus on language and literacy, as well as cognition and development. When compared to their peers, children who participated in Head Start are more likely to compete academically in high school and attend college after they graduate. A study conducted in California showed that, for every dollar invested in Head Start, $9 is created in return through increased earnings, employment, family stability, decreased government assistance, crime and special education costs.